Here’s the difference:
- A startup is built on assumptions.
- A company is built on validation.
When you’re still a startup, everything is uncertain. You assume the need exists. You assume people will buy. You assume your product will fit. But until the market proves you right, you are only experimenting.
That’s why founders must keep an open mind. You may need to change your product. You may need to refine your offer. You may even need to change your business model entirely.
The danger is to think you are a company when you are still a startup. A company has proof. A startup is still searching for it.
Dr. Smith Ezenagu is the Chairman of Esso Group, a diversified conglomerate shaping real estate, finance, education, and media. Dr. Smith Ezenagu is recognized as a real estate & investment mogul, life coach, and private equity expert. He leads Esso Group and its subsidiaries: Esso Properties (awarded Nigeria’s Most Innovative Real Estate Company in 2024 and recognized as the best real estate company in Nigeria), Esso School of Enterprise (the leading institution equipping entrepreneurs), and Esso Capital (delivering smart, trusted financial solutions across Nigeria).
