Steve Jobs was more than just a visionary—he was a master at building companies that changed the world.
His approach to business wasn’t conventional. He didn’t follow trends; he created them. And his success wasn’t just about technology—it was about mindset, creativity, and an obsession with excellence.
Over the years, I’ve studied his methods closely, applying his principles to my own ventures. Some lessons were obvious, others took time to fully appreciate.
Here are seven key things Steve Jobs taught me about building a successful company.
1) Focus on creating, not competing
Most businesses spend too much time worrying about the competition. Steve Jobs didn’t.
He wasn’t obsessed with what other companies were doing—he was obsessed with creating something entirely new. He believed that true innovation comes from focusing on what you can build, not on how you can beat someone else.
This mindset is powerful. When you stop chasing competitors and start focusing on your own vision, you unlock creativity and originality. You start setting the standard rather than following one.
Think about Apple’s biggest successes—the iPhone, the MacBook, the iPad. These weren’t just better versions of existing products; they redefined entire industries. That happened because Jobs wasn’t trying to outdo others—he was focused on making something great.
If you want to build a successful company, don’t waste energy on competition. Put all of your effort into creating something meaningful and unique.
2) Build with purpose, not just for profit
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from Steve Jobs is that success isn’t just about making money—it’s about building something that matters.
Jobs wasn’t driven by quarterly earnings or short-term gains. He was relentless about creating products that made a real impact. That’s why Apple products weren’t just functional—they inspired people, changed industries, and shaped the way we interact with technology.
I’ve seen this firsthand in my own journey. When I focus purely on profit, the work feels empty. But when I align my business with a deeper purpose—something that truly resonates with me and others—it not only becomes more fulfilling but also more successful in the long run.
People can sense when something is built with care, passion, and intention. That’s what creates loyalty. That’s what builds a movement.
As Simon Sinek put it: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”
3) Embrace setbacks as fuel for innovation
Steve Jobs wasn’t afraid of failure—he used it as a catalyst for reinvention.
When he was fired from Apple in 1985, he didn’t give up. Instead, he founded NeXT and Pixar, two ventures that would later play a crucial role in shaping Apple’s future. His ability to turn setbacks into stepping stones is what ultimately made him one of the most influential entrepreneurs of all time.
I’ve had my own share of failures. Projects that didn’t take off, ideas that didn’t land, decisions that led to unexpected detours. But every challenge has pushed me to rethink, adapt, and refine my approach. The key is to see failure not as a dead end, but as feedback—an opportunity to learn and evolve.
If you want to build a successful company, you have to embrace setbacks as part of the journey. The most resilient entrepreneurs don’t avoid failure; they use it to sharpen their vision and push forward with even greater clarity.
I explore this idea further in my video about imposter syndrome—why it’s important not to fight against it, but to embrace it as a sign of self-awareness and growth. You might find it helpful:
4) Challenge conventional wisdom
Steve Jobs never accepted the world as it was—he questioned everything.
He wasn’t interested in doing things the way they had always been done. He rejected outdated norms, tore down industry standards, and reshaped entire markets by thinking differently. That’s how Apple went from being just another computer company to one of the most influential brands in history.
The truth is, that most people are conditioned to follow the status quo. We’re told to play it safe, climb the corporate ladder, and accept systems that don’t serve us. But real progress—whether in business or in life—only happens when we have the courage to challenge conventional wisdom and carve our own path.
This isn’t easy. It means going against the grain, questioning authority, and sometimes standing alone in your beliefs. But if you want to build something truly meaningful, you have to be willing to reject rigid hierarchies and trust your own vision.
5) Success means nothing if it’s not aligned with your values
Steve Jobs was obsessed with excellence, but not at any cost. He believed in building something meaningful—something that aligned with his vision and values.
Many entrepreneurs chase success for the sake of status, wealth, or external validation. But if what you’re building doesn’t reflect who you are and what you stand for, it will eventually feel empty. No amount of money or recognition can fill the gap left by a lack of purpose.
Too many businesses today prioritize short-term gains over long-term integrity. They cut corners, exploit workers, or compromise their original mission in pursuit of profit. But real success—the kind that lasts—is built on a foundation of authenticity and ethical choices.
If you’re building a company, ask yourself: Are you doing this just to win? Or are you creating something that truly aligns with your deepest values? Because in the end, that’s the only kind of success that actually matters.
As Howard Thurman put it: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
6) Limitations can be your greatest advantage
People often think that having more resources, more connections, or more time is the key to success. But Steve Jobs proved that constraints can actually drive the most powerful innovations.
Apple wasn’t always a tech giant. In its early days, it had limited funding, a small team, and no guarantees of success. Yet those limitations forced Jobs and his team to be resourceful, creative, and intensely focused on making every decision count.
The truth is, that having less can push you to think differently. It forces you to prioritize what truly matters, strip away the unnecessary, and find unconventional solutions. Some of the most groundbreaking ideas don’t come from abundance—they come from necessity.
Instead of seeing limitations as obstacles, embrace them as opportunities to sharpen your vision and refine your craft. Success isn’t about having unlimited resources; it’s about using whatever you have with purpose and ingenuity.
As Orson Welles once said: “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.”
7) The right people matter more than the perfect idea
Steve Jobs knew that even the best ideas are worthless without the right people to bring them to life.
He was obsessed with building teams of passionate, talented individuals who shared his vision. He didn’t just hire based on skills—he looked for people who were deeply invested in creating something extraordinary. Because in the end, a company isn’t just about its products; it’s about the people who make them.
Too many entrepreneurs believe that success comes down to having a groundbreaking idea. But ideas are easy—execution is what matters. Execution is driven by the people you surround yourself with.
This means choosing partners, employees, and collaborators who not only have the skills but also align with your values and commitment to excellence. It means avoiding toxic work cultures, prioritizing collaboration over ego, and fostering an environment where creativity can thrive.
If you want to build something great, don’t just focus on your vision—focus on the people who will help bring it to life.
As Jobs himself said: “Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.”
The mindset that sets true innovators apart
Building a successful company isn’t just about strategy, funding, or even the right market timing. At its core, it’s about mindset.
Steve Jobs didn’t succeed because he followed a formula—he succeeded because he saw the world differently. He believed in creating rather than competing, turning setbacks into fuel, and challenging conventional wisdom at every step.
This mindset—one of curiosity, resilience, and unwavering vision—is what sets true innovators apart. It’s what transforms an idea into a movement, a product into an experience, and a company into a legacy.
Whether you’re starting your own business or pursuing any ambitious goal, the real challenge isn’t just external—it’s internal. The way you think, create, and adapt will ultimately define your success far more than any single opportunity or obstacle ever could.
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