Have you ever considered the differences between a small business selling almost 24/7 and a company in its first stage of operation? If you have never done so, I am here to tell you, so stay tuned. For I will take you through the differences between small business vs startup.
So, before wasting time, let’s get straight to the main topic.
When we say small business, it can be privately owned, a cooperation, partnership or sole proprietorship. It contains few employees and less annual revenue than the large corporation or government state enterprise. While on the other hand, when we say startup, it could be a company that is in its introduction stage or first stage of operation.
Let us discuss them one by one before going to the actual differences between small business vs startup.
WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS?
When we say ‘small,’ our mind will take us to tiny things, right? Small business is attributed to few employees and low revenue return, and financial support from large institutions is needed. It could be a government or private institution where you can acquire loans to finance your small business. Small businesses can be on the bases of manufacturing and mining, wholesale, retail, services, construction, agriculture etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL BUSINESS.
Small businesses have many characteristics, and I will give you the main characteristics
- Profit motives
- Owned by few people
- Customer satisfaction
- Continuous process
- Risky and uncertainty
- Limited resources
- Resistance to change
- Short term planning
MAIN TYPE OF SMALL BUSINESS
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- Limited liability company (LLC)
- Cooperation
WHAT IS STARTUP?
Start-up or start-up can be defined as a company in its first operational stages. Start-up companies mainly focus on a single product or service that they want to bring to the market in which they wish to validate a scalable business model.
Start-up companies are at their early stages of production, and at this stage, they are prompt to failure with a high rate of uncertainty. Also, at this point, the company’s success will depend on its good management, availability of finance, correct demand forecasting and many more. That is why some companies strive hard to pass this stage, but others find a way out.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A STARTUP
- Innovative
- Higher risk
- Problem solving
- Flexible in production
- Large scale
- High revenue return
- Focuses on growth at the early stage
- Huge technology is required.
MAIN TYPES OF A STARTUP
- Lifestyle startups
- Scalable startups
- Buyable startups
- Large company startups
- Social startups
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL STARTUP
You may wonder why some companies are not making it at the start-up stage, right? Ok then, be with me. I will tell you the reasons and what makes a successful startup. Many companies find it challenging to find a way out at this stage because they need the correct market survey, poor management system, low customer satisfaction and many factors that might hinder their success.
I know you are eager to know what makes a successful start-up. For sure. Ok, let’s get into it;
CLARITY IN VISION
A well-defined vision is a skill that every company leader needs to cross the finish line. This tool plays a vital role in tough times, so it is only a clear vision that will help you see yourself in the other part of the journey.
SPEED
When a company can finish things quickly, there is a high chance of going on milestones to achieve their goals. Many companies fail because, at this stage, their speed is plodding; in contrast, this stage requires high speed and correct timing.
BUDGET
For you to have a successful startup, efficient finance must be needed to support the operation. Every angle should have its own budget, and unnecessary expenses should be avoided because over-costs will affect production, mainly if resources are limited.
SKILLS
You can succeed when there are adequate skills to carry out the operation. Having the best-skilled human resources in all areas will help you through the journey. You should make sure that the employees are competent, strong teams must be available to uplift you in crucial times, and managers with high knowledge in time management and good planning strategy are put in the proper position.
DETERMINATION
Find the best way to satisfy your employees, this will increase dedication and determination, and it can also reduce labor turnover. Commitment plays a vital role in a successful operation. In the absence of dedication, nothing will move further.
ABILITY TO ADAPT TO CHANGES
Adapting to changes can help you to break through because technology is changing every day, so you need to be updated with the changes going on, which will help you launch the product at the right time with the right price and to the right people.
These are the main factors to consider in order to make a successful startup.
11+DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS VS STARTUP
| SL.NO | FEATURES | SMALL BUSINESS | STARTUP |
| 01 | Innovation | No new product is introduced, and neither uniqueness is made | A New product is created, and there is uniqueness in it, then introduced to the market |
| 02 | Scope | There is a limitation put in place | No restriction is put in place |
| 03 | Growth rate . | It grows fast but with high prioritizing at some places with profit motives. | It has a low growth rate but gives priority to reaching worldwide |
| 04 | Finance | A Small amount might be required to start compared to a startup | A huge amount is needed. Many projects have to be completed before starting. |
| 05 | Impact of technology | A small impact it has on small business | A Huge impact it has on startup |
| 06 | Life cycle | Less small businesses will shut down at the early stage | It has a high rate of shutdown compared to small business |
| 07 | Risk-taking | Fewer risks are taken | High risks are taken |
| 08 | Marketing strategy | It does not really follow the marketing strategy properly | The marketing strategies are followed from the first place |
| 09 | Types ownership | Small businesses can be owned by a sole proprietorship, partnership, etc. | It can be owned by an entrepreneur, or it can be a share of stock. |
| 10 | Liquidation process | It takes a shorter time | It takes a long time for liquidation |
| 11 | Examples | Barbing salons, shopkeepers, constructions etc.., | Google, Facebook, twitter |
Also read: HOW TO MAKE A BUSINESS CARD FOR FREE
ARE YOU A STARTUP OR A SMALL BUSINESS?
At this juncture we have seen the differences between small business vs startup right? So now when is a business considered a startup or a small business? Let me tell you, when you are a startup. After learning the differences between the two, we should avoid confusing them. A startup, we can say, is a company that is in the initial stage of operations and it is expecting significant growth in the near future. While on the other hand, a small business is just established on a low scale. It is attributed to few employees with the motive of profits, and with less expensive to start compared to a startup
CONCLUSION
After going through all the above about small business vs startups, I hope you now have a clue about their differences. In short, a small business can be of any kind. Also, it can be owned by a sole proprietorship, partnership, or any form of cooperation, and it does not require any product creation (innovation). While on the other hand, a startup is a company in its first stage of operation, expecting to grow worldwide. It involves a vast amount of effort to cross the finish line, and it also requires innovation that is bringing a product into existence, which has to undergo different stages with a clear vision, good leadership, and enough budget for all the steps, then, with this you can break through.