(Editor’s note: We’ve debated about whether or not to remove this post as it was (1) A means for its author to learn how to create animated GIFs and (2) a lame attempt to mock BuzzFeed. However, we’ve learned it’s a favorite place for people to link to show how not to write for SmallBusiness.com.)
Starting a business is different from starting a startup. Both approaches can lead to success, but they are different. Here is how:
When you start a business, the first thing you must do is find a customer.
Customers are people who place your products in shopping carts and pay for them.
The first thing people who start a startup usually do is start.
Startups begin with an idea or concept.
A startup doesn’t expect to have customers or profits until sometime in the future after the concept is hashed out, pivoted and a niche market is found. That can be way, way, in the future.
When you start a business, you must quickly come up with a business model where customers receive a good value for something you can provide them at a price that enables you to be profitable.
Without customers or revenues or profits, a startup must find other ways to pay the bills and salaries of employees on a regular basis.
For that reason, at first, and sometimes for a long, long time, the business of a startup is to find investors willing to invest in the startup. Most of the time, they are turned down, so it takes great skill and determination.
Some startups turn into giant companies (or are sold to giant companies) and make lots of money for those who created and invested in them.
Unfortunately, most startups don’t.
On the other hand, when a business focuses first on finding and serving customers in a mutually beneficial way, a business can last for a long-long time without having to explain why it was never a startup.
