I am an employer, and discriminate against all sorts of people, depending on the position vacant.

For heavy work, we need muscles, and will probably reject slightly built people, females, and the elderly. For positions dealing with the public, personality is more important, and the position might be better for a young woman. If experience is important, the older person may have an advantage.

Intelligence, and a pleasant personality are always required.

Running a small business is hard, and is made more difficult by a whole host of government regulations. The world is not a fair place - you can miss your ideal job for any number of reasons besides age.