I don’t look like the typical entrepreneur at the 500 Startups Accelerator program. My hair is white. The bags under my eyes have bags. And, I don’t get carded when I order a drink. That’s because I’m not just a co-founder of a web-based startup called BrightNest, but a 47-year-old father of three from Chicago. What brought me to Silicon Valley when I have a son in college, a mortgage to pay and 4.5 mouths to feed? A problem that needed solving!

For the last 17 years, I’ve run a successful custom home building business on Chicago’s North Shore. During that time, I not only learned how to build diverse homes, but also that many homeowners have no clue how to take care of their most valuable asset. So, I teamed up with Justin Anthony, my 37-year-old technical co-founder, to launch BrightNest – an easy-to-use reminder and recommendation system that helps people keep their homes in great shape. Think Mint.com for home maintenance.

This October, we moved our team to Mountain View, CA for the 500 Startups program. As soon as I showed up, it was clear that I stood out among the 20-somethings. However, these last few months have shown that there are a few advantages to being older than the pack.

Domain Experience

Investors often seek a blend of technical and domain experience. When we built BrightNest, we knew that empowering homeowners required more than just a smart technical solution; we needed to deliver expert, unbiased content on how to maintain a home.  After 25 years in the field, I was confident that I could deliver that content.

On a deeper level, my years of experience working with homeowners has given me an invaluable understanding of their needs, pain points and the way they operate. We’ve done the requisite market research, focus groups and usability testing. But, it’s the connection that I have to the end user that really allows me to frame the solution we’re developing in the context of their lives.

Networking & Relationships

In the early stages, fundraising and partnerships are the life-blood of a startup.  We all know that a warm introduction can make the difference between a confirmed meeting and an unanswered email. Through business partnerships that Justin and I have built over the years, we were fortunate to be able to open doors and garner extremely positive introductions to angel investors, VCs and other partners. Once we were there, it was up to us to sell the team and the vision. But, we spent a lot less time pounding the pavement for meetings by leveraging the networks and relationships we’ve carefully curated over the years.

Business Acumen/Experience

Real business experience is invaluable.  After running my own business for the last 17 years, I am used to the daily ups and downs, stresses, and background noise that are part of every growing business. I’ve learned the hard way that focus is key.  I don’t freak out when an unexpected issue arises, and I don’t run wild after every potential opportunity that I hear or read about.

Plus, after this many years in business, common paperwork and business processes have become second nature to me. Paperwork is the last thing an entrepreneur wants to deal with when there’s a product to be built and users to acquire, but there can be legal and financial pitfalls if you fail to do it properly. It’s not sexy, but I’ve learned the value of being diligent about paperwork and process.

The Bottom Line

My beer pong skills may be a bit rusty, but I believe that I, and other mature founders, have unique attributes and experiences that we can bring to bear for our ventures. Founding a startup with a family is a risky and personal decision; however, with the support of my loving family, a stellar co-founder, and a few years of life and work experience under my belt, great things are possible.

About BrightNest

BrightNest helps homeowners save money and keep their homes healthy and safe. It’s a web-based service that provides customized tips, weekly reminders and expert advice for homeowners across the US and Canada. Visit brightnest.com and use invite code “WelcomeHome” for a free account.