As a venture capitalist, one of the most common misconceptions I encounter is the assumption that starting a business automatically makes it a venture capital opportunity. After all, venture capital has the word “venture” in it. So people naturally ask me: “My wife and I are quitting our jobs to open a traditional dessert shop. Would you invest in us?” “I used to run sales at a company in this industry. Now I’m starting a similar business myself. I already know the market—wo