Yesterday I highlighted the accomplishments of four young leaders who used their creativity, initiative, and business smarts to make their mark at a very early age. But the entrepreneurial spirit, and the drive to succeed, is not reserved for those just starting out.

According to Emily Brandon’s January 9, 2011 U.S. News and World Report article, “There are now more American’s age 65 and older than at any other time in U.S. history.” And the number is only expected to grow as baby boomers enter their “golden years.” But many who reach retirement age are not, in fact, retiring. They’re starting anew, often in areas of entrepreneurial endeavors.

Many in today’s older generation start their own businesses because they need to supplement their incomes. After a certain age (many experts say around 50), it’s an uphill battle to find employment. Older Americans who get laid off or are forced into retirement sometimes need to get creative…and find a way to earn money on their own. Others, who don’t necessarily need to work, but want to take on a new, exciting challenge, see this time in their lives as a chance to pursue a long-postponed dream or meet a goal that has fallen by the wayside. In either case, more and more “seniors” are becoming entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders late in life. And why not? It’s never too late to lead.

Here are a few examples of leaders who became successes in the latter part of their life:

• Colonel Sanders: The famous founder of KFC began cooking as a boy and, after serving in the military and holding a number of various jobs, tried his hand at running a small restaurant. His food was a hit, but his restaurant ultimately failed due to its location. It wasn’t until the age of 65 that he invested his first social security check into franchising Kentucky Fried Chicken.
• Julia Child: Although today, the name Julia Child is virtually synonymous with cooking, the famed TV chef’s culinary interests weren’t peaked until she moved to Paris in her late 30s. She began quietly teaching French cooking, but it wasn’t until she was nearly 50 that her first book was published and her career really took off.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder: The girl made famous in the TV show Little House on the Prairie was a real-life pioneer girl who grew up to become an author at the age of 65, when her first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published.
• Grandma Moses: The American folk artist Anna Mary Moses, lovingly referred to as Grandma Moses, was a farmer who first began painting after arthritis kicked in well into her 70s. Moses, who lived to age 101, embarked on a wildly successful career as an artist in her later years–so successful that in 2006, one of her works sold for $1.2 million.
• Ray Kroc: Hard to believe, but Ray Kroc, the mastermind behind McDonald’s, didn’t start the restaurant chain until the age of 52, after trying his hand at several odd jobs, including radio DJ, pianist, and milkshake-machine salesman.
• Frank McCourt: Frank McCourt held various jobs before earning his Bachelor’s degree in English at the age of 27. He then became a teacher and earned his Master’s degree before penning his Pulitzer-prize winning memoir, Angela’s Ashes, at the age of 66.

Pursuing a dream, starting in a new direction, or breaking new ground in your life is possible at any age. If you’re older…be bolder, and remember that when it comes to WOW, it’s better late than never.

–Sheri Staak