A local business can’t be a startup without ambitions to take it to the world. A franchise restricted by franchise rules can’t be a startup. Neither has the potential for a big impact. Eric Ries defines a startup as “a human institution designed to deliver a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty.” That doesn’t mean you have to risk everything to create a startup. This book is primarily about reducing risk. But with a startup you do lose some of the predictability and certainty that comes with less innovative businesses.
