By: Dezmon Landers

Are you a small business or a startup?

The answer probably depends on where you are located and what industry you are in. The term startup is generally used by tech companies in population hubs like San Fransisco, New York, Boston, LA, Austin that are “in the know”. The term small business is often used by your everyday Joe that is just trying to get something started (most likely out of his home). Home based businesses get a bad rap in the startup world but most companies (especially web companies) are started in a young entrepreneurs apartment (same as home).

Could you image calling some of the Silicon Valley startups home-based businesses? How offensive! Did you know Google started in a garage? Of course you do, everyone does. Why did they start in a garage (of a home = home-based business)? Because it was the most convenient and cost efficient option at the time.

On this blog I had to make a decision. Do I use the term small business that receives more searches and a larger consumer base that considers themselves small business owners? Or do I go the trendy route and use the term startup? Well, you know the answer (StartupHustle.com) and I did it because I work for a startup ;).

When you launch a business you need to be aware of all the audiences your product is suitable for and what they call themselves. You might be segmenting a large customer base because they call themselves or your product something different than what you call it.