It is mostly a question of terminology. Around here, "startup" is defined as hyper-growth, because YC chose to define it that way and HN came from YC. In other places, it can have a more flexible definition. So while most of the audience here will absolutely agree that you don't need VCs or insane growth to start a business, on HN, that would be coined as a "lifestyle" company, not a "startup". (And in my mind, more power to anyone who goes that route.)