Does age really matter in a Startup?

Ravin was seated at his usual coffee table sipping the finest espresso the shop offered. His eyes glanced at the Rolex sitting on his wrist, the watch reflecting his changed times. His phone dinged signaling another reminder alarm set by his secretary. He smiled at how perfectly organized Rajesh was, so unlike him.

“Mr. Ravin Sharma Sir” a meek voice called out to him. He looked up from his phone at the young teen standing before him.

“Ah yes, you are the guy from Made for Marketing?” Ravin asked. The young boy looked barely out of college and yet the confidence in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Yes sir. Vinit Shah, Marketing Intern” He said.

Ravin offered him a smile and beckoned for him to start over. An hour or so later, Ravin was surprised with the convincing power the college fresher had in him. He was taken aback with the knowledge and confidence that he possessed. The thought of such a smart mind interning for peanuts had him baffled and finally curiosity killed the cat!

“So, why are you interning?” Ravin asked

“For experience, Sir” Vinit said

“Just Ravin. Sir makes me feel too old.”

“Sure Ravin” He said with a bit hesitation

“You look like the past Ravin. The guy I was a couple of years back; interning with big companies for experience, scrambling on job portals for better opportunities and all that crap! And trust me that helps not even a bit!”

“But Sir..Err.. I mean Ravin. Not everyone is as lucky as you to start their own business at 24 and achieve success. I have read stories about you. So many Start-up websites have covered you. You are like an inspiration for so many people.”

“So then why don’t you take inspiration from me?”

“I’m just 20! I have no experience whatsoever. I have never really got any such chance. I haven’t even done MBA yet. And my parents would never agree. Dad will shoot me down with his lines.”

“You know when I interned with all these companies; the only experience I got was to how to make amazing coffee and which bus goes where. Because that’s what they made me do, either I was delivering coffee or delivering something at someplace.”

“Really!”

“I don’t want to sound preachy and stuff. But at your age you are very smart. You convinced me to this marketing plan of yours which I would have shot down if it was for someone else. You have the power of internet and social media. You are young and talented. If you don’t make your mistakes now, you will never learn.”

“Marketing has always been my strong point. I love talking to people, convincing them, it comes so naturally to me”

“Then why can’t you convince yourself to do something on your own?”

“It’s the relatives! Mine are very stereotypical, they want me to be like every other 20 year old, get a degree, get a job, earn money and settle down. It’s not easy convincing them; they just look at the loss I will be incurring. Dad always says you need experience to start your own business and gives me some XYZ’s examples.”

“Haha, yours just stopped at speaking. My parents made sure I did all of that and eventually got fed up of me. One year into starting my business I moved out of the house and have been staying alone since then. You need to have confidence in yourself. I started my business too late; if I would have done it at your age I would have been retiring by now or coming up with something new.”

“You’re right. My self esteem has been put down so many times. Every senior back in office gives me the same dialogue ‘You are too young to know about anything.’ Screw them! What do they know about anything, been stuck in the same boring office for so many years, their brains too must have frozen. They come up with the same drab ideas every week; nothing new and creative.”

“So when do I see your business plan Mr. Shah?” Ravin asked with a hint of smile.

“Give me a week, I’ll draw up my plans and evaluate everything”

“Take as long. If you need pep talk I’m always at this coffee shop”

“You know Sir; you should write a book or start a website to help misguided young budding entrepreneurs like me. You’ve still got that college attitude behind this professional clothing. People will love you! I should leave now; my ex-boss is expecting me”

“Sure and tell your boss, I mean ex-boss, the deal is off. I’ll need your services once you have set up.”

“Thank you Sir”

Ravin watched the young chap leave, still thinking over his last words. He called Rajesh.

“Rajesh, I have got a new business plan!”

“At 28 you want to start a new business? What happened to the plan of settling down?”

“Arre man, Age is just a number re. There is no rule that states you are too old or too young to start. You start when you want to. Anyway, come here soon I have to tell you about this!”

Disclaimer: All characters, names, places and company names are fictitious. They bear no resemblance to anyone whomsoever.