Every startup doesn’t have to be google or spaceX.

Regardless of where you read about startups, it is nearly always discussed in the light of getting a VC firm to invest, making something (usually software), then doing an IPO and getting rich. This is of course the ‘sexy’ way that we like to talk about starting a company. Everybody who took a 6-month programming course thinks they can write an “app” that makes them rich. (Which is odd given that nobody ever wants to pay for an app)

The truth is that small business the backbone of the American economy and the true generator of new jobs. There is nothing wrong with making a better mousetrap and that mousetrap is likely not a mass market item. It may never generate more than $10 million in sales or maybe even $500K. But there are still millions of things that can be improved upon and so many ideas are not even realized that have little to do with data centers or computers. For instance, the world is still an analog place. All of these “apps” people want to make must get data from somewhere. Generally, data comes from sensors, and these sensors can still be improved upon or even revolutionized just to give one example. Everything that interfaces with the physical world can still be explored and reinvented. The fastest processors you can imagine won’t change that fact.

My point is simply this, don’t let all the AI talk stop you from realizing your potential and inventing something new. Also, don’t assume that starting any company or making a product begins with raising money. You can scratch and claw your way to making new products with very little money if you are willing to put in the effort. There are opportunities all around you if you keep your eyes and mind open.

I’ll write more about bootstrapping a company in later articles.

Bootstrapping: real opportunities still exist in small startups

Love to hear feedback or questions