The inspirational story of Kentucky Fried Chicken chain founder Harland Sanders. It is never too late to dream.

Times are tough for everyone; economists are flirting with an idea of a second great depression, retirement is a fleeing dream. This is how many people see the current situation. Many people who are in their 50s, and 60s might be losing hope to ever have a better financial future for themselves. They think they don’t have the energy or abilities to change their situation, they think it is too late. Three letters for these people: KFC.

Kentucky Fried Chicken is obviously a very popular and thriving business in America and Canada. My cousin considers the Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket night a celebratory event. He looks forward to munching on crispy warm chicken chunks so much; he comes home early from work on days when his wife buys KFC.

The odds of success were always against KFC founder and recipe creator, yet his drive was stronger than any roadblocks.

What does it have to do with a better financial future of older adults?

Have you heard of Harland Sanders? Founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sanders had a rough start in life. His father died when little Harland was only 6 years old. When his widowed mother had to go to work, a 6-year-old Harland had to watch two of his younger siblings. He was not just their babysitter, he had to pick up after them and cook for them, as well! At 10 years old, Harland had to start working outside of home.

Poor and without education, Sanders performed various manual jobs for the next 55 years. When Sanders worked as a service station operator, he started serving home-made chicken to customers there. He used his original recipe to cook the chicken. People loved so much, some of them suggested Sanders should open a business. After a while, Sanders moved to a small restaurant location and fried chicken there for another 9 years. The secret recipe was well received and enjoyed greatly by so many that the governor of Kentucky recognized Sanders’s contribution to the state’s cuisine. In 1935, Sanders became an honorary Colonel.

But things went bad soon after.

Sanders lost his restaurant in the 1950s when a new interstate highway bypassed his town and his customer base dried up.

By the age when most people hope to retire, Sanders was broke. He lived on $105 a month from a Social Security check. Still optimistic, he started traveling from city to city, cooking for any restaurant owner who would give him a chance. If the owner of a restaurant liked the chicken recipe, Sanders would ask for a deal. He would provide a secret recipe and the owners would pay him 5 cents per each piece of chicken they sell.

Twelve years later, Colonel Sanders had more than 600 franchised outlets all over America!!! He sold the company for $2 million in 1964. He enjoyed being involved in the business and served as a spokesperson for the company until his death.

At his 90 birthday party, a guest asked Sanders what kept him going all these years. Sanders answers simply "dreams." It is never too late to dream, to hope, to be optimistic about your future. Col Sanders carried his hopes well into his late years.

Work hard, look forward and always hope for the best!

You can accomplish great things, no matter your age!