Jason Fried: Build for Yourself, Keep Costs Low and Stay Small

Jason Fried, co-founder of 37signals, shares his business philosophy, emphasizing simplicity, cost control, and product-centricity. He advocates for building businesses that prioritize the creator's needs and finding a small, dedicated audience rather than mass appeal. Fried recounts his early experience selling software at age 16, highlighting the importance of keeping costs low to minimize the required customer base. He stresses that a business's primary competition is its own costs, not external market forces, and champions small teams to avoid miscommunication and complexity. Jason also introduces the concept of "thin shell" businesses, where a minimal business structure supports high-quality products, and values long-term sustainability over rapid growth, advocating for an "orbit" model rather than a "hockey stick" trajectory.