His first invention was a device that could make three free phone calls to anywhere in the world. His first killer app was the spreadsheet program. Steve Wozniak created the Apple I computer, which led to the microcomputer revolution. The Woz came to downtown Buffalo last week for the Be Motivated event to share about a variety of topics, including insights about the late Steve Jobs. To view summaries about other Be Motivated speakers that came to Buffalo please see Marv Levy and Bill Cosby.
When you develop solutions in your own way you end up creating totally new solutions
So these solutions become unique, and so are the products that are developed in those solutions from that point forward. Do not fear creating unique solutions to problems different from what is current. Woz considered himself a designer of products, and went to high school with Steve Jobs. Woz considered his early success was building devices for $20, and selling them for $40. He thought giving away computers would help him network with the ever-expanding computer community.
He invented the floppy drive to finance his trip to Las Vegas and unveiled it there
Woz's passion was his love to make formulas to create solutions. He said that its not about the two years it took to build a new computer model, but the knowledge acquired from his work the 20 years previous.
I build it, you sell it
Mike Markkula was the venture capitalist who funded and mentored Woz and Jobs when they created the Apple II computer. He helped provide direction to the Steves when he told them, "Wozniak, you do the engineering, and Jobs you do the marketing." This was quite valuable and gave them great focus. Unique also was that although engineering was still important, the company became marketing driven, not engineering different, very "Think different" from what other companies were doing at the time (even to this day!).
Steve Jobs did not want to create great products, but insanely great products
In college, Jobs did not like to be told which classes to take, he thought college should be about being able to take any courses that he chose, and since it wasn't, he left. Also, when the Steves started their own company in a garage, and with no money, Jobs believed there was no obstacle that they could not overcome.
Steve Jobs only wanted to make the world a better place, it was not about the money
Jobs left Apple at one point, learned how to run his own company, and then came back to an Apple that had many dedicated fans. Jobs was unique in that he always looked for the best resources he could find. This created better quality products. Also, their situation was different from a lot of the other companies in that is that they actually had a working prototype.
Steve Wonzniak's advice to Buffalo students
One of my goals today is to influence college students. Learn everything you can about anything that you have a passion for when you are in high school and college.
Most great ideas that changed the universe came from students and college graduates
Entrepreneurs create a lot of new products, but they also go through a lot of failures. So get used to the failures, they will teach you, and you will succeed if you just keep going with what you are doing. Also, if you get even one bright idea, then you will have others too. (Interestingly Steve Wozniak told us about his second career, he was a fifth grade teacher, which he did in secret for eight years!)
Steve Wonzniak's advice to Buffalo about starting a business
To have a dream, and a desire to create, is not excellence in itself. It is also best to:
1. Simplify things for people. Make life easier for them. This is very important.
2. Also somewhat important is to be sensitive to windows in time. Be aware of where the evolution of products are at their specific moment.
Please share with us any insights from this event that you found motivational
Very cool that Woz came to Buffalo -- should make everyone proud!
Good advice too, based on his actual experience and now what professors or consultants say.