It’s not at all. Most businesses begin with an idea and without the business owners knowing all the elements to running a successful business. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try.

i think its not because from the what ive read, most of the successful businessman, entrepreneur and people there are start grown up from their mistake which me no experience during that time

Sure, a clever mind can easily “get” the rules and uses of a specific sector in far less than 15 years. But I can’t understand how a company would take the risk of investing it’s assets without securing at least one founder with a target-specific background. Each sector has it’s “dirty bag of tricks” that can be very expensive to learn. Secured knowledge is good capital.

I think the question is answered depending on which field you are in. For example, if you were in a fast paced industry like IT, i would think experience doesn’t matter because some of the best people would come necessarily from the younger ones with no experience (as a general proposition). But if you were in the legal field (like I am, sort of..) then experience would be a big factor. Very few clients would go to a law firm which is made up of newbie lawyers with maybe just a few years of experience, unless they are really exceptional lawyers.

So the answer is, it depends. ^_^

Great point. Everyone has to start somewhere and work up. No one is born with business know-how. Your tips are perfect for any new entrepreneur.

This is a key topic. A lack of experience should not stop you from doing something, but it definitely helps. I’ve been doing VC-backed startups for 9 years. when I started, I was pretty fresh. I still did a lot. But I know if I was able to go back in time with the knowledge that I have now, I’d have created WAY more value.

Experience isn't a defining factor in success. Readers here will want to checkout this post on the notion that judgment actually trumps experience in leadership. See Credentials? Nah. Judgment is what counts.

The question first caught our eye at Found|READ after a new book by Warren Bennis and Noel Tichy, Judgment: How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls, was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal. Check it out as well.

It also depends on the amount of technical knowledge necessary to be successful in the industry of choice.

The other point is that you are not fighting a lack of resume content, but rather the perception that that perceived lack of specific experience causes doubt in the minds of potential clients. Educate them on the value you bring that others can't and create a plan of attack that strategically answers those question(s) of perception in their minds and you could win in the end.

I find the starting is the easiest part. I am really good at getting started at stuff. I start stuff all the time. I think that the hard part is becoming successful at something so that you can turn a profit. It is the support system that you have behind you, and simply asking for help that makes a difference. There are a lot of people who are willing to help you out. Sometimes you just have to ask.

Inexperience can lead to mistake which could have been avoided. That is really all it worth. Howeve experience can lead to myopia and miss opportunity. That why we always need to get outside our comfort zone and do and learn thing we of which we have little experience.

For a young entrepreneur, there are tons of advantages. First, you have more flexibility. You don't have a family or many responsibilities. Failure is something that impacts just you.

Secondly, as Neerav, a young entrepreneur explains,you can only win. Either you fail and learn a valuable lesson, increasing your chances of getting a normal job, or you succeed and make good $.

All good. Finally, you have a better understanding of the technology and current trends than many older people might.

I am a consultant to a start up with similar problems. They came looking for me when they realized that somethings that they could not do, needed to be handed over to a professional. At no great additional fixed cost, they have solved the problem. Both of us understand that I need to train them, and my association with them,is only temporary.
You may wish to do something like this.

Those are some really great points! I also find that developing the mentor relationships is very important — people who are successful love to help out new people to the industry. Everyone wants to be appreciated for something that they do well and it's a great way to get those invaluable tips that might not be so intuitive to the newcomer.

Thank you all for the great comments and ensuing discussion – much appreciated.

The lack of experience may be replaced by implication and proactive way of working and it is a great replacement sometimes.

I wish I'd taken your advice when younger! Listening to some negatives is a good thing. Because the entrepreneurial adrenaline can often cloud your judgement. But picking them is key.

You don't want know-it-alls telling you what to do if they haven't themselves taken a risk. There has to be some risk or it's not worth doing and everyone else would be.

I failed spectacularly. I've since found success. And mentors are the key. It is incredibly astute what you're doing by bringing in the experience as and when you need it.

I totally agree that “experience is important…But it’s not a guarantee of success”.

The more important thing is that we have to TAKE ACTION.
Most of us live within our comfort zone and we are afraid to take our next steps to build our business. Also, persistence is very important too. If we don't persist, it's hard to success!

Experiences is not the top priority for a successful business. I personally thinks what makes a great business is the idea and the team we select to make the idea work.

To learn from others mistake is one of the key to success. Even when someone got no experience, try to look around you, make research, and learn from it.

yeah.. I agree with you. Experience must be gained after a lot.. But before we gain our experiences, it's not too bad to learn step by step also. We just have to be wise when facing any kind of difficulty..

OK.. Some people will disagree with me, but here goes:

Experience can be a very very good thing. It can also be bad if it includes habits that are not wanted. Someone who is lacking experience can be trained with time and usually creates a stronger employer-employee bond because they know that you are sincerely interested in their development.

I think that such qualities as PASSION and MOTIVATION outweight experience… if someone has experience.. he/she can do the job… if someone has PASSION without experience… they could easily learn to do a thing or two.. but that extra passion will drive them to do much more…

@Aaron: I don't think experience is a bad thing, as long as you're not stuck in your ways. There's a balance there, and it will depend on the individual. I've learned a ton in the last year, experience I gained from starting Standout Jobs. There may be some bad habits in there too, but I'm way better off for the experience.

@KG Lew: I don't think you can really succeed without passion and motivation. Maybe once in awhile, by accident … but those are certainly key ingredients. The flip side though — too much passion can blind people to the failings of their ideas, decisions and businesses.