Right but then they are probably mis-classifying themselves as startups, rather than small businesses. That's one of the points of "Startup = Growth", if they a

Right but then they are probably mis-classifying themselves as startups, rather than small businesses. That's one of the points of "Startup = Growth", if they aren't going for major growth, they aren't a "startup". It's not a matter of saying "startup" is better than "small business" (despite the underlying tone you may feel on HN), it's just a way to classify how the businesses are being operated, and how each can define their own success. All startups are also small businesses, but not all small businesses are startups. If your small business isn't chasing that kind of rapid growth, calling yourself a startup is a misnomer.