Small but sustainable startups are not on the media's radar. Simply put, we're boring.
The good thing is, I don't wake up in a cold sweat not knowing if I'll get Techcrunch coverage today. I wake up knowing I've built a profitable business that can be big (probably not enormous) and more than provide for myself, my team, and our investors. The "lifestyle" business has somehow gotten a bad rap, but there's honestly nothing wrong with creating a sustainable company that makes everyone involved (users included) very happy.
Kyle, honest question, and feel free to ping me off HN with thoughts, but you raised some money from a few investors if I recall. How do you square knowing your business will "probably not be enormous" with expectations from your investors? I wondered at this when I heard Forrst took investment. I'm a huge fan of niche online communities, but don't see how they could be deserving of investment due to growth limitations.
Definite false dichotomy. Get Big, Get Bought, or Get Profitable.
Or, ideally, all of the above. :)
I guess the assumption (not actually stated in the article) is that if your company does not get big or get bought, it will have its market share stolen by one that does. (Also mentioned in one of PG's essays but I can't remember which one.)