No matter what business you’re in, you’ve probably come in contact with a startup, directly or indirectly, in the course of your work.

They come in all shapes and sizes, from consumer-facing products like Foursquare to business-focused technology solutions like the ones we’ve created. But whatever the type of startup, there are some similarities you can expect to find across the board.

Here, we’ve chosen five of these characteristics that make startups a good career choice.

Everyone loves a high-growth company. People want to work for it. Investors want a piece of it. The press idolizes it. However, believe it or not, there is danger in growing too big, too quickly. And this danger has brought many a company to its knees.

Krispy Kreme is a perfect example. When it attempted to expand too quickly beyond its trademark “Hot Doughnuts Now” to selling pre-boxed sinkers in gas stations in the mid 2000s, the stock market concluded it was no longer a sweet deal as stocks hit a record low of $6 per share at that time.

As you’re starting up, you’re always thinking about strategy and branding. Good branding will highlight your uniqueness and (hopefully) put you before your competitors in the eyes of customers. But don’t forget that it’s good strategy that will actually ensure you can take on the competition and win.

The next time you’re about to go into a competition-induced freak out, remember these tips on how to come out on top:

Finding the best city to base your business in is no small decision. You want affordable, of course, but you also need access to brains, talent and capital. Most importantly if you’re an entrepreneur, you want to be in the mix with other smart and dynamic people who can help you grow your business.

So where to locate? No city has it all. But some offer much more than others. We list seven of the best cities for start-ups below.

If there’s one person who has revolutionized the concept of the low-cost technology startup — businesses that can go from concept to minimum viable product straight from their bedroom or garage — it’s Paul Graham.

Through YCombinator, the innovative investment fund designed to give entrepreneurs the mentoring they need to live the dream on a small budget, Graham has shown there is a clear path for entrepreneurship on the Web that doesn’t necessarily require millions of dollars.