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The trouble with the word startup is that it means different things to different people. Taken literally, it could mean any company which has just started up. T
by chris_j 16y ago
The trouble with the word startup is that it means different things to different people. Taken literally, it could mean any company which has just started up. That's not what the word usually means when used on HN, of course. I recall this pg essay http://www.paulgraham.com/startupfunding.html http://www.paulgraham.com/startupfunding.html which notes the difference between being a band that aims to sell a million copies of a song versus a band that is content to play at weddings and bar mitzvahs. A hairdresser is more likely to be the latter than the former. It can still be a startup but it's not a "Startup".
- timthorn 16y agoI'd still take the position that a hairdresser could be a Startup (as well as a startup). There are a few well known brands that I expect originated in that fashion(!) and there's always room for further innovation.
- bootload 16y ago"... I'd still take the position that a hairdresser could be a Startup (as well as a startup). ..." I doubt it. Calling a hairdresser a Startup, is about as convincing as saying Detroit innovates in transport with efficient engine technology. The key difference, despite its past, Detroit can create new innovative hi-tech products if requried. [0] I dare say it would be harder for hairdressers around the world to do so in a business that is not technology based. [0] Sebastian Blanco, "Detroit 2011: Li-Ion motors says hello to first Wave sales, promises Inizio by mid-summer" http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/11/li-ion-motors-wave-sales-inizio-detroit-2011/ http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/11/li-ion-motors-wave-sale...