A Young Head On Old Shoulders

He's me thinking…

You often hear the saying an old head on young shoulders, meaning there's a maturity in youth that is way past their natural years. And of course, the great innovations come from the enthusiastic youth, yes? That's a stand out… unusual.

What if… an “older” person has the drive of youth, the invincibility of youth, the creativity of youth, the success of youth, that's not so unusual.

It's taken for granted the old will be successful, and affluent as a result of having time to achieve it. It's almost expected.

What if all the attributes of youth success were to be found in an older person? The projects and businesses started later in life and resulted in the same level of success.

Hence the concept of A Young Head On Old Shoulders

We should celebrate those individuals just the same…

Examples of Late-Blooming Success

History offers us many inspiring figures who embody this concept. Let’s dive into a few standouts:

1. Colonel Harland Sanders
   The face behind KFC didn’t launch his fried chicken empire until his 60s. Sanders took his modest pension, a recipe perfected over years, and hit the road to sell his vision. By his 70s, his chicken was a global phenomenon.
2. Laura Ingalls Wilder
   Best known for the Little House on the Prairie series, she didn’t start writing until her 60s. Her books became an enduring literary legacy, capturing the pioneer spirit for generations.
3. Ray Kroc
   The man who transformed McDonald’s into a global fast-food powerhouse didn’t meet the McDonald brothers until he was in his early 50s. His vision for franchising catapulted the brand to worldwide fame.
4. Anna Mary Robertson Moses (Grandma Moses)
   Grandma Moses started painting seriously in her 70s after arthritis made her previous craft, embroidery, too painful. She became one of the most celebrated folk artists of her time, with her works displayed in museums worldwide.
5. Vera Wang
   Known for her exquisite bridal designs, Wang entered the fashion industry at 40 after a successful career as a figure skater and journalist. Her designs now epitomize elegance and luxury.
6. Samuel L. Jackson
   While he acted for years, his breakthrough role in Pulp Fiction came in his mid-40s, skyrocketing him to global fame. His relentless work ethic and youthful energy have kept him at the top.