Aaron Levie Quotes

Don't underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global movement, you need to have a core belief that what you contribute can fundamentally change the paradigm or way of thinking about problems.

Pure innovation is more gross than error.

My imagination ran 24/7, and to me, every problem was a challenge to solve and new product to create. It wasn't until I started teaching that I realized that not everyone's head worked the same way.

Big ideas come from forward thinking people who challenge the norm, think outside the box, and invent the world they see inside rather than submitting to the limitations of current dilemmas

In general, it's best if you're building something that you yourself need.

Build something that fixes something people are having a problem with, and you're lined up for great things.

None of my inventions came by accident. I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes. What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.

If you look at the world today, there are as many solutions as there are problems. I think that is a big part of creativity. That's why I started Urban Zen. Because I wanted to dress and address people.

Best startups generally come from somebody needing to scratch an itch.

Innovation often starts with the ordinary. They simply took what was "normal", and added a twist. They added an innovation. The innovation solved a key problem of the "normal" use case that we all already understood.

The fear of being different prevents most people from seeking new ways to solve their problems.

When you have no money, you need invention.

Creativity, not money, is used to solve problems.

Breaking the rules and challenging convention is in the DNA of every successful entrepreneur. Doing things differently and solving problems with new, innovative and fresh approaches are the very reason many start-ups are able to compete and sometimes outpace the established market leaders.

I think I was always inspired by seeing a problem, and finding a solution.

I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly. A good idea is an idea that solves several things at the same time. The mark of good coding is not that the program does what you want, it's that it also does something that you didn't start out wanting.

The best substitute for money is ingenuity.

See every problem as an opportunity to exercise creative energy.

The biggest problem is getting beyond the "you can't" syndrome. The moment you figure that out, you're on your way to flying. Anyone who cannot see problems around him or herself is utterly blind. All the problems sitting there are an invitation for you to be creative, make use of your skills and resources and find a solution.

Solving problems should be a joy, a welcome challenge to our creativity.

I was blown away when I figured out that none of the great integrative moves that I studied came as a result of starting with a blank sheet of paper - as many innovation coaches suggest. Integrative solutions came directly from mining the existing models for the best of their nuggets. So I never start with a blank sheet of paper anymore.

Instead of being intimidated by the limitations, be inspired to find new ways around them.

Do things that incumbents can't or won't do because it's economically or technically infeasible.

Disruptors don't have to discover something new; they just have to discover a practical use for new discoveries.

Creativity is people who care enough to keep thinking about something until they find the simplest way to do it.