10 Entrepreneurs Who Demonstrate Age Is Just a Number - It's Never Too Late

^{Arianna Huffington attends a session at the 2014 World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo: Denis Balibouse/Reuters/File}

“Age is just a number.” This may be seen as a tired cliché, but when it comes to finding success, there's evidence that it’s never too late to start.

According to an analysis of some of the most distinguished entrepreneurs, inventors and artists in history by domain company The UK Domain, the age at which highly regarded individuals 'made it' occurred at completely different points in their lives. Many of them actually made it later in their lives.

The UK Domain lists some examples of top entrepreneurs along with the age of their success, what they did, and some words about their career.

Top Entrepreneurs Who Made It Big Later in Life

This list focuses specifically on those who waited longer than most to achieve their dreams. It shows that success may still be waiting around the corner, if you're willing to keep looking for it.

1. Taikichiro Mori, 51, founded Mori Building Co.

Taikichiro Mori worked as a teacher and university professor of economics until he was in his 50s, when he founded the Mori Building Co. After starting off with two buildings he had inherited from his father, he was named the richest man of the world in 1992 - a title he held twice in his life.

2. Erling Persson, 51, founded H&M.

What we know today as H&M started off in 1968, with the acquisition of a hunting apparel retailer by Persson. His plan was to use them as the production company for his menswear collections, when he passed away in 2002, H&M was one of the most recognizable and accessible clothing brands in the world.

3. Ray Kroc, 52, franchised McDonalds into rapid expansion.

A story recently told in 'The Founder', Kroc worked as a real-estate agent, paper cup salesman, and ambulance driver before he met the McDonald brothers. After he purchased McDonald’s in 1954, the company expanded rapidly and successfully. Today, it's one of the world's most recognizable brands.
 

4. Martha Stewart, 56, founded Martha Stewart Living.
 

Having previously been a stockbroker, caterer, and celebrity chef, Stewart decided to set up an all-in-one media conglomerate to maximize her potential. In 1997 she founded Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, the media and merchandising company which is now embraced by more than 100 million consumers worldwide.
 

5. Arianna Huffington, 58, founder of 'Huffington Post.'

Arianna Huffington rose to fame as a journalist and political commentator, before setting up the eponymous HuffPost website in 2005. In 2008 the Huffington Post was named the most powerful blog in the world by the Observer, and now has become one of the most visited websites in the world.
 

6. Lynn Brooks, 59, founded the Big Apple Greeter.

Brooks switched careers to found the Big Apple Greeter voluntary programme, which has become a worldwide organization. Her now highly successful, international volunteer programme earned her a US award in the Center for Productive Longevity’s Later Life Story contest.
 

7. William Knox D'Arcy, 60, became director of APOCC (which would become British Petroleum).

A self-made man who originally made his wealth in mining, in April 1909 D'Arcy was made a director of the newly founded Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) which would later become British Petroleum.
 

8. Charles Ranlett Flint, 61, founded pioneering company now known as IBM.

Although Flint had some success in other fields prior to his biggest business legacy, in 1911 he founded the pioneering Computer-Tabulating-Recording Company, which we know today as the more manageable name of IBM.

9. Harland 'Colonel' Sanders, 62, opened his first KFC franchise.

After having worked as a lawyer, insurance salesman, lamp salesman and even tyre salesman, the man now recognized worldwide as the Colonel opened his first KFC franchise in 1930.

10. Chaleo Yoovidhya, 64, co-founded Red Bull.

In 2012, Yoovidhya was listed as the third richest person in Thailand with an estimated net worth of US$5 billion. He co-founded Red Bull in 1987.

Bottom line

It may be tempting to forget about starting a business or pursuing our passions by the time we reach the age of 50, but the above examples prove that success can come at any age.

If you’d like to find out who was still yet to crack it at your age, enter your age in the interactive graphic below to explore successes through the ages. You can also choose other age groups to explore below: