Steve Case helped create AOL. But you would never know it, unless you listened to his business tips.
The down-to-earth Case, who spoke in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, talked in a mild-mannered tone about how the best way to succeed in business is to follow the three I's of business — inclusiveness, impactfulness and interconnectedness.
Case, now chairman and CEO of Revolution, an investment company, spoke from the Church and State professional services building on Wednesday afternoon to share his ideas on business creation, innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We figured out the secret sauce that created the American spirit is entrepreneurship,” he said to young and older entrepreneurs alike. “Two hundred and fifty years ago, America was a startup. It was just an idea. We led the way in the agriculture revolution. We led the way in the industrial revolution. We led the way in the digital revolution. We continue to lead the way, and I think one way to do that is to celebrate entrepreneurs everywhere and help level the playing field for people everywhere so that everyone has a shot at the American dream.
Case, who is visiting five cities for the Rise of the Rest Road Trip, has used his time on the road to seek out the next great startup through a pitch competition. It’s also a time for him to promote his new book called “The Third Wave,” a reference to the next wave of new businesses that will drive America forward in the coming years.
Wednesday’s event, packed with young small-business owners from across the Salt Lake Valley, mainly focused on what businesses can do to be more inclusive (giving more women and minorities opportunities in tech and entrepreneurship), impactful (making a mark in the industry) and interconnected (encouraging networking).
“Our hope is the community will rise because of being more inclusive, more interconnected and create more impact,” he told the Deseret News.
Case’s arrival comes at a time when Salt Lake City’s connection to small-business and entrepreneurial efforts has been in the spotlight. Provo, Lehi and other areas in Utah have been nicknamed “Silicon Slopes,” a play on the Silicon Valley in California.
That’s part of the reason Case was happy to come to Salt Lake City for the event Wednesday. He wanted people to see that Silicon Valley isn’t the only area that promotes entrepreneurship.
“I’m meeting more and more people, in every city we’ve been to, who were in Silicon Valley who moved here or some other place,” he said. “I think that dynamic will begin to accelerate. If you want to live in Silicon Valley, go for it. If you’re there because you feel like you have to be there, we’re trying to change that dynamic.”
He told the Deseret News that Salt Lake City has reached somewhat a middle ground in terms of its startup reputation — enough to be recognized, but with room to grow, much like Denver, another city on the Rise of the Rest Road Trip. The other cities on the tour are Omaha, Albuquerque and Phoenix.
“It was a mix of picking the region and … picking the cities that were showing the most promise in terms of rising as startup communities and enthusiasm in trying to take their cities to the next level,” he told the Deseret News.
Case also said Utah startups follow the example of Clayton Christensen, “a good friend” of Case’s who came up with the idea of “disruptive innovation.”
Case said that people in Utah have an understanding that successful businesses have to identify the future of their individual businesses and not solely focus on the current.
“There is a spirit here of innovation and a spirit here of what’s happening next and how do we position ourself to be where the puck is going and not just where the puck is,” he said.
To do so, Case said policymakers need to improve the programs that get intercity young adults involved in tech and coding. Part of that includes shaping the way the country is run.
Case said he recently endorsed Hillary Clinton, the first time he’s ever endorsed someone for president, for that very reason — because she has a plan to include more tech programs for young children.
Though he said he “knows and respects” Donald Trump, Case said Clinton has outlined a better plan for how new businesses can succeed in the current economic climate.
Case said he doesn’t plan to ever run for office.
“I do not plan to run for office, but I do have great respect for those who do run for office,” he said. “I feel like the way I’m playing it now plays well for me. I am willing to grow bridges for those who are willing to serve, but I’m still interested in playing the back seat.”
Case said he hopes people will continue to follow their passions with the businesses they start, whether it be for profit or charity.
“If you care about it, then do something about it.”
Herb Scribner is a writer for Deseret Digital Media.