---
id: "entity-the-100-startup"
type: "entity"
entityType: "other"
canonicalName: "The $100 Startup"
aliases: ["$100 Startup"]
source_timestamps: ["00:00:40"]
tags: ["book", "entrepreneurship"]
related: ["concept-decisiveness-over-perfection", "claim-decisiveness-key-to-success"]
---
# The $100 Startup (Chris Guillebeau)

## What It Is
An entrepreneurship book by Chris Guillebeau that studied ~1,500 "unexpected entrepreneurs" who built successful low-capital businesses, with 50 in-depth case studies.

## How It's Cited in This Source
[[entity-jp-middleton]] cites the book to support [[claim-decisiveness-key-to-success]] — the idea that successful founders **picked a market and started within one week** of deciding.

## What the Book Actually Emphasizes
Per the enrichment review, Guillebeau's actual themes include:
- **Value creation and customer focus** over business plans.
- Leveraging **skills the founder already has**.
- Pursuit of **freedom, autonomy, and meaningful work**.
- Decisive action — but **not** framed as the singular common trait.

## Source Citation Caveat
The "only common trait was decisiveness within one week" framing is **a Middleton simplification** of the book, not a direct Guillebeau finding. See nuance discussion in [[concept-decisiveness-over-perfection]] and [[claim-decisiveness-key-to-success]].

## Canonical Source
The author's or publisher's official page for *The $100 Startup*.