Over at WebUrbanist they have a great post up this morning that focuses on wild shoes designs. Wild as in crazy, not what the Yettis wear.

After getting half of the way through the piece and realizing that all of these designs were about lifestyle and personal expression, it then hit me that each of the images could represent the types of startups.

Most startups find the inspiration for their creation in frustration of current offerings and a chance for the founders create a business that represents their personality. Startups, like the shoes, are about lifestyle and personal expression.

Yes, startups are about making money as well and many other reasons that they should exist but lifestyle and expression are the largest motivators.

And with them come the resources of the founders to help shape the private and public image of the company. Many startups are bootstrapped and of those they have varying levels of capital available to them from the founders. It all depends what sort of success or means they had before the startup.

Then you’ve got funded companies that really fall into the boutique wild style shoe. We’ve all met these types of startup folks and their style is shi-shi and might not even be ready to wear but they think they’re hot because they’ve got juice.

As anyone navigates the startup community it makes much sense to liken each company to a pair of shoes. Seriously, it is easier to categorize them this way then to try to figure out exactly what they are about.

And besides, if you think of each startup as a pair of shoes it is easy to know where they go when they’re not on your feet. If they fail, well, that is like taking a pair of shoes to the local Goodwill.

So what kind of shoe is your startup?

Via [WebUrbanist]

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Startup Tip: All Kinds of Shoes is a post from: TechStartups.com

When it comes to deciding what direction you should take your next great idea it is helpful to sort out what you want from the startup.

In every case you should be answering that with – revenue. But, also at the top of that list should be your decision of going for VC backing or turning your idea into a lifestyle startup.

A VC backed startup is a different beast than a lifestyle startup.

Lifestyle startups in this case being a business that you start and run to make your living from. The type of startup that you hope to sell for better than $500k so you can float till the next idea comes along or simply a business that dissolves into your next business based on a newer greater idea. It is a two to three year investment of your time that pays dividends closer to a traditional mom and pop type business.

Here are five reasons you should choose a lifestyle startup:

1. You’ve got a lot of passion (read: hard headed)

There’s not much to say about this one.

Being the captain of your own destiny is something that you thrive on and know that the only way you can make this startup work is with your vision.

That, and if someone recommended how to do something differently there might be a physical altercation. You might get to this point if your idea has elements of the next reason.

2. You’re idea is future forward (read: hard to pitch)

At your first pitch to a VC you’re told that you should integrate X service. Of course, X, being the hottest new startup that isn’t even in their portfolio. This is the moment you should realize that your pitch has failed for any number of reasons. On the ride back to the airport you run through the list of variables with friends and realize that idea if solving a future problem. One that is a little farther in the future than you are going to be able to pitch successful for funding. And that’s cool.

Without pulling back the scale of your vision too much, you should look for an opportunity to move forward building it out. Especially, if you got number 3 covered.

3. You can really focus (read: blinded by desire to succeed)

You’re a competitive freak that is only competing with yourself. Really. You might be a laid back person but you’ve got an inner desire to win that could turn a three legged pony into a stakes winner.

This in turn gives you an ability to focus on a business plan or road map with precision. It aids you in your ability to execute at a C-Level all the while handling low level strategy and tactics. This is how you make your startup profitable. That brings me to number 4.

4. You understand physical labor (read: you grew up on or near a farm)

Look – manual labor of the farming variety is enough to skew the tables greatly in comparison to a tech startup. Waking up at 3:30 a.m. to milk and feed cows followed by a day of bailing hay, walking beans or other intense physical labor makes working at a startup a piece of cake. Sure, you’ll be working all the time, just like the farm but you’re going to be using a different set of skills and attributes that aren’t as physically demanding.

However, if you found that this type of physical labor suited you, a lifestyle startup could be for you. See number 5.

5. You need to always be working (read: hobby is job/job is hobby)

You eat, sleep, breathe your idea. When you are in the shower you are solving problems from the night before while you take a huff of your bar soap. You find great satisfaction it the ability to get work done in your down times while you should be relaxing.

I don’t think this one is very healthy, but for many people it is a reality and something that would be difficult for you to change. This behavior is learned or is a mechanism to avert from another issue . . . either way the behavior is ingrained in you and should be embraced as an asset for building a successful lifestyle business.

Lifestyle startups can be very rewarding for those that enjoy having the ability see their ideas blossom. They’re also a great fit for those that aren’t ready to jump into the startup world with both feet. If you’ve got a job or career that can keep you afloat while you dabble with a startup, this one is for you.

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The Lifestyle Startup – 5 Reasons to Do It is a post from: TechStartups.com