Too many entrepreneurs confuse startups with companies. They believe that once they register with CAC, they’re automatically running a “company.” That mindset is dangerous.

A startup is not a small company growing into a big one. A startup is a temporary phase where you are testing, adjusting, and finding a model that works. That phase typically lasts the first 3 years.

If you treat a startup like a full company, you’ll spend on offices, branding, and “corporate” structures that don’t yet matter. At this point, you should be focused on survival, validation, and customer discovery.

The true company comes after the startup survives and grows into a repeatable, scalable system. Don’t confuse registration papers with sustainability.

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).