Here's how you can navigate the pros and cons of starting a business in mid-career versus earlier stages.

We can navigate the pros and cons of starting a business in mid-career versus earlier stages by weighing factors such as financial stability, industry experience, and personal responsibilities. In mid-career, you may have more industry knowledge and a stable financial base but could face higher opportunity costs and less flexibility. Starting earlier offers more time for trial and error but may lack experience and financial resources. Consider both stages' risks and rewards before making a decision.

Navigating the pros and cons of starting a business in mid-career versus earlier stages, leverage the mid-career advantage. Utilize your extensive experience, industry knowledge, and established network to build credibility and attract resources. Mid-career entrepreneurs often have greater financial stability and strategic insight, providing a strong foundation for success.

By mid-career,you likely have extensive experience and knowledge in your field,which can provide valuable insights and a competitive edge.You may have accumulated savings & investments,providing a financial cushion to support your business venture.With more life and work experience,you likely have a clearer understanding of your goals,strengths, & passions.Clearly define your personal & professional goals, and assess how starting a business aligns with them.Create a detailed budget for your business, considering your personal financial situation and responsibilities.Develop contingency plans for potential risks and setbacks, including financial safety nets.Seek advice from mentors, peers, and industry experts to gain insights and guidance.

One of the key advantages is that you have experienced both gain/succese and pain/failure. Whats key here is the maturity and ability to work through failure as a stepping stone to success. What may however work against you is your mindset, as we get older, we become more risk averse and taking risk is a requirement to succeed in business.

Starting a business like Moussechoco mid-career offers unique advantages—experience helps navigate challenges better, but early-stage ventures can be more agile. For Moussechoco, launching later allowed refining strategies based on market insights, ensuring quality and customer satisfaction from the start. It's about balancing experience with flexibility to innovate and adapt in a competitive market.

This is where a mentor or coach can be of great help to help you close such gaps. Don't suffer in silence, seek out and be deliberate on building relationships with those who can be sounding boards (with care) to assist you on your journey. Whats key here is finding someone you can commit to and who is prepared to commit to you (a vested interest).

Its also important, if you have family and other commitments to clearly separate these from your business to reduce risks. Chat to a financial advisor to determine what options you could consider.

Remember, that each stage of your business requires a different lense and a different skillset or experience set. Be clear on what you solving for and whom you are partnering with to solve for such

Treat your time like an investment. Be clear on what you will and what you wont invest your time in. When you do invest your time in something, make the time count. Focus your attention and efforts, take an action, make a decision, reflect on a learning experience and a revised way forward.

Start with getting clear on your mission, vision and goals. Say no to the things that don't get you closer, and yes to the things that will. Plan it in your calendar.

Iniciei esta trajetória após os 55 anos e vivo um momento pleno da minha carreira no setor startups e impacto social. Me lembro sempre de uma frase dita por um superior meu há mais de anos: " a melhor hora de mudar é quando você não precisa mudar". Ou seja, é preciso se preparar se quiser mudar ou terá que mudar em condições adversas.

Entrepreneurship looks like a better option than full-time employment to many - be clear about what you want to do before you take the leap and ensure you have sufficient cash to pay daily living expenses for at least 2-3 years. You will be stepping into a whole new world - most people who take a leap from corporate don't really realise that they were operating in a very specialised function. You will need to learn many new skills and do some work (if you can't afford to outsource), that you have never done before. There's no task/job too small or too big for an entrepreneur.