Comments on: Looking for Two Startup Partners 35-plus years Old http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/ Thoughts on startups, leadership, the Web, and disruptive technologies Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:35:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff Sayre http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-438 Jeff Sayre Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:55:37 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-438 Ha! I actually have that on my list of things to change. I'll stick with gray but change it to a darker shade. But, as might be apparent, I'm not a designer. UI and UX, as well as CSS, is not my strong point. Ha! I actually have that on my list of things to change. I’ll stick with gray but change it to a darker shade.

But, as might be apparent, I’m not a designer. UI and UX, as well as CSS, is not my strong point.

]]> By: Bast Hotep http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-437 Bast Hotep Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:44:24 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-437 If you're really looking for people in this age bracket, may I suggest that you change your CSS so you're not posting in wispy light gray. If you’re really looking for people in this age bracket, may I suggest that you change your CSS so you’re not posting in wispy light gray.

]]> By: Jeff Sayre http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-400 Jeff Sayre Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:50:47 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-400 Alex- Thanks for your thoughts! Patience, ability to listen without getting flustered, and being able to effectively prioritize usually come with age and experience. These are some of the great attributes that skilled parents can bring to the business table. I think that you are correct in stating that investors have an easier time getting what they want out of a company with younger founders. The corollary to that is that young founders need to watch out because it is all too easy to be taken advantage of by investors. Alex-

Thanks for your thoughts!

Patience, ability to listen without getting flustered, and being able to effectively prioritize usually come with age and experience. These are some of the great attributes that skilled parents can bring to the business table.

I think that you are correct in stating that investors have an easier time getting what they want out of a company with younger founders. The corollary to that is that young founders need to watch out because it is all too easy to be taken advantage of by investors.

]]> By: Alex Murphy http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-399 Alex Murphy Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:35:05 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-399 Great post Jeff. I like Andrea's comments. I have found parents, mothers in particular, understand hard work more than most of the younger generation because having kids is much harder to deal with and requires more patience than even the roughest of work environments. They understand working all night, on Fridays, anytime and anywhere. My guess on the companies looking for young founders comes from a place of "lower cost" related to supporting their daily lifestyles and it is easier to make the "deal" more favorable to the investor. My experience is that although some investors hype the desire for young fast paced companies, most prefer to get behind an experienced and dedicated team that has a new idea and the track record to show they can make it happen. Good luck finding your co-founders. Great post Jeff. I like Andrea’s comments. I have found parents, mothers in particular, understand hard work more than most of the younger generation because having kids is much harder to deal with and requires more patience than even the roughest of work environments. They understand working all night, on Fridays, anytime and anywhere. My guess on the companies looking for young founders comes from a place of “lower cost” related to supporting their daily lifestyles and it is easier to make the “deal” more favorable to the investor. My experience is that although some investors hype the desire for young fast paced companies, most prefer to get behind an experienced and dedicated team that has a new idea and the track record to show they can make it happen.

Good luck finding your co-founders.

]]> By: Jeff Sayre http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-397 Jeff Sayre Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:01:56 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-397 That is an excellent point! There is a lot of real world experience mothers can bring to the business world. It is a different type of management training, but it definitely applies. One on the issues I struggled with at my most recent firm, and fought very hard for, was hiring, grooming, and promoting more women and minorities into management positions. Believe it or not, this was a difficult challenge even though I was a partner. Some of my partners thought it important, while others did not. That is an excellent point! There is a lot of real world experience mothers can bring to the business world. It is a different type of management training, but it definitely applies.

One on the issues I struggled with at my most recent firm, and fought very hard for, was hiring, grooming, and promoting more women and minorities into management positions. Believe it or not, this was a difficult challenge even though I was a partner. Some of my partners thought it important, while others did not.

]]> By: Andrea_r http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-395 Andrea_r Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:28:51 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-395 Not a candidate either but I had a couple thoughts: Sticking to under 30s could probably also be sexist. Why? it's the women who take the time off to have the kids. If they already have kids, they need job stability. For a woman to wait until after she turns 30, there are higher risks to childbearing. For me, when I was 30, I was busy having my last child. Every single accomplishment I have made professionally in the WP world has been post-35. How's them apples? :D Not a candidate either but I had a couple thoughts:

Sticking to under 30s could probably also be sexist. Why? it’s the women who take the time off to have the kids. If they already have kids, they need job stability. For a woman to wait until after she turns 30, there are higher risks to childbearing.

For me, when I was 30, I was busy having my last child. Every single accomplishment I have made professionally in the WP world has been post-35.

How’s them apples? :D

]]> By: Jeff Sayre http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-363 Jeff Sayre Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:36:00 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-363 Thanks, Jennifer! I've always thought of myself as creative—a few people would even agree with that assertion. I've discovered that my creativity and innovative spirit have actually increased as I get older. Even though I had a modicum of success in my twenties, I'm more focused now and, as a result, am able to leverage my creativity more effectively. Thanks, Jennifer! I’ve always thought of myself as creative—a few people would even agree with that assertion. I’ve discovered that my creativity and innovative spirit have actually increased as I get older. Even though I had a modicum of success in my twenties, I’m more focused now and, as a result, am able to leverage my creativity more effectively.

]]> By: Jennifer Zaino http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-360 Jennifer Zaino Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:07:58 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-360 Excellent post! Innovation is not exclusive to the under-30 set! Excellent post! Innovation is not exclusive to the under-30 set!

]]> By: Jeff Sayre http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-353 Jeff Sayre Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:18:11 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-353 Thanks, Mark! I learned how to program in the mid 70s using a punchcard system. I'm probably showing my age (mid 40s). Thanks, Mark! I learned how to program in the mid 70s using a punchcard system. I’m probably showing my age (mid 40s).

]]> By: Mark W Schumann http://jeffsayre.com/2010/01/14/looking-for-two-startup-partners-35-plus-years-old/#comment-352 Mark W Schumann Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:55:31 +0000 http://jeffsayre.com/?p=221#comment-352 I'm not a candidate for co-founder, Jeff, but your startup is intriguing and (as one who was brought up on FORTRAN IV) I love the twist on ageism. I truly wish you the best luck and outcomes. I’m not a candidate for co-founder, Jeff, but your startup is intriguing and (as one who was brought up on FORTRAN IV) I love the twist on ageism. I truly wish you the best luck and outcomes.

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