What's wrong with my lawnmower?

I went out yesterday after I got off work to mow the lawn (which is looking a little tropical rainforest-esque) and tried to start the lawnmower. We have a push mower, and I filled it with gas, then pushed the little primer button the suggested 3 times. Then I held the two bars together and pulled the cord to start it. I pulled the thing almost all the way back past my shoulder and it didn’t even catch. Is there something major wrong with my mower, or is it a little thing? Could I possibly repair it myself or should I take it in? This is obviously not my area of expertise.