5 reasons you should build a small business, not a startup

Jon Westenberg believes that most people should focus on building small businesses instead of chasing the startup dream in Silicon Valley. He thinks that the startup culture is driven by venture capital (VC) money, which requires a 100x return on investment, and not every entrepreneur should aim for that. Westenberg distinguishes between entrepreneurs who want to be founders, seeking prestige and glamour, and those who want to be business owners, focusing on building a sustainable business. He advises that startups are necessary in certain verticals, such as platforms like Uber and Facebook, but in most cases, building a small business can lead to happiness, health, wealth, and wisdom. Small businesses allow for simplicity, focus on people, personal touch, lower overheads, and the ability to keep profits within the company. Westenberg also notes that small businesses can still grow and become successful, but with a more sustainable approach. He differentiates between bootstrapping, which means self-funding a company, and starting a small business, which involves setting boundaries and limits to achieve a profitable and fulfilling business.