Could really use some help/advice

So, I had a planned year long RTW that was scheduled to commence November 2011. April/May was supposed to be the time I was booking my first leg of the journey. This is not happening. I'll try to be brief in my background info below..

I currently work at your standard 9-5 job, that I do not like. It does however, pay the bills and help me save money. About a year ago, I founded an internet start-up. I had always assumed I could travel and work on the road. A year in, it's clear this is not a possibility as I had underestimated the amount of work that went into a start-up. Good thing is, the company is starting to take off, we've secured 6-figure angel investment, and have a promising road ahead.

Now, my predicament:

I pushed this trip back once a while ago because I simply wasn't prepared, or had saved enough. My savings timeline is on schedule, I am sufficiently prepared, and I am VERY okay walking away from the 9-5. I am however having a hard time saying, "screw it, I'll do my work on the road and hope for the best", in regards to the company I started. I have a lot of vested interest in the success of this company and know deep down, leaving for a year long RTW is not in the best interest of the company. In the end, I know the success of this company will give me the ultimate freedom to travel and do my work from the road (once it's up and running and more automated).

Should I just stop delaying this trip? Am I just another one of those people who talk about doing a RTW but never man up and do it?

Am I going to be too old to do a RTW if I wait 1.5-3 years? (I'm 27 at the moment)

What would you do?

I appreciate the help you all may give. I get a nervous feeling that I will never do this year long RTW trip I've got planned if I continue delaying. I realize the reason I am delaying is a positive one, and not because I'm afraid, etc but it is still worrisome.

As your 9-5 job is improving in the short term & the company you started needs more TLC (tender loving care) to provide you a living om the road, I can't see a downside to putting your trip off for the time required.

After all you're only 27, the more financially secure your business is when you do leave the better chance of not having to return to replenish funds

Two go RTW faced a similar dilemma a while ago & postponed their trip by a year, sure a poster got on their case but so what it wasn't his trip.

Did my RTW at age 64 so your never too old to go RTW, actually heading to Cambodia in about a month to do some TEFL teaching.

The first 3-5 years of a start-up are a lot of WORK. Most fail because most people don't realize just how hard it is to start and build a successful business. It seems like you're well on the road and you'd be a fool to stop now. Perhaps you can just take a couple month-long trips over the next year or two so you can still get to travel but you don't put your company at risk.

As far as the age thing goes, I didn't leave the country until I was 27 and started traveling full time at 35. Many people do it both older and younger. There is no age restriction.

After an intital three years travelling as newly-weds, my husbnad and I then waited 16 years to do our year-long trip (which turned into 15 months)....by then we had eight kids and both of us turned 40 on the trip....priorities can be worked towards over time.

I'd be giving your business another couple of years before taking off if I were you.

I have a lot of vested interest in the success of this company and know deep down, leaving for a year long RTW is not in the best interest of the company. In the end, I know the success of this company will give me the ultimate freedom to travel and do my work from the road (once it's up and running and more automated).

You've answered your own question.

To answer the other one, here is it:

A RTW trip is an experience to be savored, an experience of learning about travel and other cultures, other peoples, and very often, to learn ones priorities before settling down.

It sounds to me like you'[ve already got #3, and you can always go when your business is either more stable or in the dumps. Either way, if you abandon it now, your Angel will probably desert you, and yo'll never get the chance again.

Startups are a full time, full life proposition. Nothing great in life is free, except perhaps for the talent you were born with. Even so, you've got to USE that.

If you're sure this startup will give you the chance to travel with ease in the future, why bust up a good chance in return for a trip that probably will not improved your long term chances at financial security? I went RTW at 35 and could do anything the average 18 year old could do, and so can you.

Even if you have to wait until 50, well, thats that. There are always one month mini-travels, which I now do on a more regular basis. One month in Venezuela, two months in peru, it all adds up.
so, I'd postpone if I were the person that wrote the quote that I started this mesage with. You've answered your own question.

Stop the buyers remorse and jump into your new business with the same energy you would give to travel, and it will reward you manyfold in experience, and possibly in money. Now is the time for you to take risks, and starting up your own business is one of the biggest risks you will ever take. That adventure will make most of your theoretical travels pale in comparison.

Thank you to each of you for the thoughtful and helpful responses.

I agree, I always knew what I should be doing; sometimes it's just nice to hear your decision backed up by others I suppose. As intense and interested as I am for travel, I am the same way for this company I've started. I just know doing a RTW is something I absolutely want to do before I die, and not something I am willing to sacrifice. Putting it off again is a bit of a downer, but it must be done right now. I'm just afraid things will always keep coming up, especially as I age. That said, it seems a lot of you have done a RTW when you were older than I will, so that is encouraging. Thanks again for the responses, they've been quite helpful.