Launching a successful startup is tied too closely to the fallacy that “Game changing ideas are the only way to find success”. The reality is that this is very much untrue.
There are two kinds of startups existing within today’s business landscape: Disruptive and Non-Disruptive. Disruptive refers to the “Game Changing” ideas that potentially can change the way we conduct business and overall life as we know it. Non-Disruptive refers to ideas that are not necessarily global game changers.
A business that does not necessarily change the world can still be hugely successful, and if you think “Fortune” can only be served with a sizable helping of “Fame”, then you will find yourself mistaken. Below is why creating a Non-Disruptive startup can be hugely successful, but not always result in fame.
Why “Go Big or Go Home” is Overrated
History tends to glorify the risk takers than the ones who play it safe. That being said, many entrepreneurs are often turned off to the idea that they will not have their names on the same list as Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg or Virgin’s Richard Branson if they play it safe with their startup ideas. Being an unsung hero is often not enough for the zealous and big idea business starters, but going big every time is making your life a lot harder than it needs to be.
Easier to Secure Funding
Landing investments from funding sources is exponentially harder when you try to sell a brand new idea that has no proven real world reaction. Banks, for example, are a lot more likely to choose to invest in you if your idea is already proven to work out there in the real world.
Costs Potentially Can Be Lower
Being a “Copycat” is by no means being celebrated here, but taking a page from already existing businesses and running from there is a safe way to go to getting your new startup up and running. Most of your job is already done when starting where another business has left off. For example, the research and development phase of your business, as well as a huge chunk of market research, has already been done for you and is accessible for you to learn from.
Better Does Not have to be Disruptive
An idea that takes an existing concept and simply does it better in some way is more than enough to propel your startup into success. Don’t let the thought that the only way to make it big is to think big. Big ideas are great, and if you can afford to take big risks then by all means do it, but for a startup, there is no shame in having the extent of your businesses be in finding improvements for existing products or services.
In the end, you may not be known as the hero who took the leap and now swims in fame and fortune, but by running with an idea that is Non-Disruptive, you will at least be swimming in fortune, and really, is that not enough of a reward?
