--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: world until he was forty. Despite the…" description: "\"“world until he was forty. Despite the late start, Bill eventually became the chairman and CEO of Intuit. Following that, he became a legend in high te..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/ben-horowitz-1791_steve-jobs_world-until-he-was-forty-despite-the-lat_2624122.png" --- # world until he was forty. Despite the late start, Bill… ![“world until he was forty. Despite the late start, Bill eventually became the chairman and CEO of Intuit. Following that, he became a legend in high tech, mentoring great CEOs such as Steve Jobs of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Eric Schmidt of Google. Bill is extremely smart, super-charismatic…” quote by Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/ben-horowitz-1791_steve-jobs_world-until-he-was-forty-despite-the-lat_2624122.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/ben-horowitz-1791_steve-jobs_world-until-he-was-forty-despite-the-lat_2624122.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/ben-horowitz-1791_steve-jobs_world-until-he-was-forty-despite-the-lat_2624122.png) > ““world until he was forty. Despite the late start, Bill eventually became the chairman and CEO of Intuit. Following that, he became a legend in high tech, mentoring great CEOs such as Steve Jobs of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Eric Schmidt of Google. Bill is extremely smart, super-charismatic, and”” [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Bill Campbell, despite starting his career late, rose to lead Intuit and mentored top tech CEOs, showing that leadership and mentorship can outweigh early experience. **In simple terms:** Late starters can still become influential leaders. Key Takeaway Value mentorship and perseverance. Themes leadership career growth mentorship Mood motivational respectful Type business inspirational When to use this quote - startup founding - executive coaching - board service Key Concepts networking skill development industry influence Questions to Reflect On - What qualities made Bill a great mentor? - How can late‑career changers find similar impact? A Different Perspective Success stories may overlook systemic advantages. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ceo Intuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceo-intuit-2134782/) [Ceos Steve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceos-steve-2134783/) [Eventually Chairman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eventually-chairman-2134784/) [Great Ceos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-ceos-2134781/) [Jeff Bezos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jeff-bezos/) [Steve Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steve-job/) [Steve jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steve-jobs/) ## Related quotes > [Great CEOs are not just born with shiny hair and a tie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-andreessen/great-ceos-are-not-just-born-with-shiny-hair-and-a-tie/) [Marc Andreessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-andreessen/) > [In the tech world, you can reel off great products in several ways. You can have the once-in-a-lifetime gut instincts of a Steve Jobs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-mossberg/in-the-tech-world-you-can-reel-off-great-products-in-several-ways-you/) [Walt Mossberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-mossberg/) > [Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs did not start out wealthy, and actually added to income inequality, but we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foster-friess/amazon-s-jeff-bezos-facebook-s-mark-zuckerberg-bill-gates-and-steve/) [Foster Friess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foster-friess/) > [Is there anyone out there who is the next Steve Jobs? I think Jeff Bezos is pretty close. He is very smart. He is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sculley/is-there-anyone-out-there-who-is-the-next-steve-jobs-i-think-jeff/) [John Sculley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sculley/) > [“Want to see a great company story? 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Then Jeff Bezos,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stone/the-junior-executives-recommended-a-variety-of-different-techniques/) [Brad Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stone/) > [“If we can keep our competitors focused on us while we stay focused on the customer, ultimately we’ll turn out all right.” —Jeff Bezos”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-isson/if-we-can-keep-our-competitors-focused-on-us-while-we-stay-focused-on/) [Jean-Paul Isson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-isson/) > [“Jeff Bezos is famous for his “2 Pizza Rule” at Amazon: no meeting is to take place if the number of participants is too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-l-rogers/jeff-bezos-is-famous-for-his-2-pizza-rule-at-amazon-no-meeting-is-to/) [David L Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-l-rogers/) ## More by Ben Horowitz > [There is no silver bullet. There are always options and the options have consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/there-is-no-silver-bullet-there-are-always-options-and-the-options/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [Groupon looked like a very high valuation, but any investment in a great company at any stage is almost always a good investment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/groupon-looked-like-a-very-high-valuation-but-any-investment-in-a/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [By far the most difficult skill I learned as a C.E.O. was the ability to manage my own psychology. Organizational design, process design, metrics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/by-far-the-most-difficult-skill-i-learned-as-a-c-e-o-was-the-ability/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“The hard thing is when those “great people” develop a sense of entitlement and start demanding unreasonable things. 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Bill: "It's about the FUCKING money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/bill-campbell-it-s-not-about-the-money-ben-horowitz-what-s-it-about/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [When the value of the company clearly has fallen below what its assets are worth, having a shareholder who says, 'Let's get a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/when-the-value-of-the-company-clearly-has-fallen-below-what-its/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [One person is never as stupid as a group of people. That's why they have lynch mobs, not lynch individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/one-person-is-never-as-stupid-as-a-group-of-people-that-s-why-they/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“out the right product is the innovator’s job, not the customer’s job.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/out-the-right-product-is-the-innovator-s-job-not-the-customer-s-job/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [As companies move to web-based computing they get a lot more servers, which are difficult to manage and control. All kinds of problems can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-companies-move-to-web-based-computing-they-get-a-lot-more-servers/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [Breakthrough ideas usually come from guys who look like they're hallucinating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/breakthrough-ideas-usually-come-from-guys-who-look-like-they-re/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [When screening engineers from other companies, its smart to value engineers from great companies more than those from mediocre companies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/when-screening-engineers-from-other-companies-its-smart-to-value/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“No matter who you are, you need two kinds of friends in your life. The first kind is one you can call when something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/no-matter-who-you-are-you-need-two-kinds-of-friends-in-your-life-the/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“The difference between being mediocre and magical is often the difference between letting people take creative risk and holding them too tightly accountable. Accountability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/the-difference-between-being-mediocre-and-magical-is-often-the/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) [Explore all 207 Ben Horowitz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) ## More Steve jobs quotes > [At any one time the world has a very limited number of Steve Jobs or Winston Churchills or Thomas Watson the firsts. These are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/at-any-one-time-the-world-has-a-very-limited-number-of-steve-jobs-or/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I'm not only a fan of Apple products, I have stock in the company. I think Steve Jobs has started one of the greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-rock/i-m-not-only-a-fan-of-apple-products-i-have-stock-in-the-company-i/) [Kid Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-rock/) > [There's nothing nice about Steve Jobs and there's nothing evil about Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-peddle/there-s-nothing-nice-about-steve-jobs-and-there-s-nothing-evil-about/) [Chuck Peddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-peddle/) > [Steve Jobs was a real rock star to me. I looked forward to his products like people look forward to albums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/steve-jobs-was-a-real-rock-star-to-me-i-looked-forward-to-his/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [I read the Steve Jobs book, and that kind of changed everything. I've been, like, an Apple geek my whole life and have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-eazy/i-read-the-steve-jobs-book-and-that-kind-of-changed-everything-i-ve/) [G-Eazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-eazy/) > [Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-iger/steve-jobs-was-a-great-friend-as-well-as-a-trusted-advisor-his-legacy/) [Bob Iger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-iger/) > [At one point cinema and photography weren't treated as art. Now it's crazy to think they're not. The key question is "What is art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/at-one-point-cinema-and-photography-weren-t-treated-as-art-now-it-s/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. Your genius will live on for generations to come...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-patrick-harris/rest-in-peace-steve-jobs-your-genius-will-live-on-for-generations-to/) [Neil Patrick Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-patrick-harris/) > [“But simplicity is not so simple to attain. Steve Jobs figured out that “you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/but-simplicity-is-not-so-simple-to-attain-steve-jobs-figured-out-that/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [“Manage to keep the best people. Steve jobs feared what he named ‘the Bozo explosion’, that is a system in which the failure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/life-hacks-books/manage-to-keep-the-best-people-steve-jobs-feared-what-he-named-the/) [Life Hacks Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/life-hacks-books/) > [ He \[Steve Jobs\] had come from the surplus electronics parts world.So he came from that world, and he said let's sell PC boards for… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-wozniak/he-steve-jobs-had-come-from-the-surplus-electronics-parts-world-so-he/) [Steve Wozniak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-wozniak/) > [Steve Jobs is perhaps the most competitive human being I have ever met in my life, and yet I would argue one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/steve-jobs-is-perhaps-the-most-competitive-human-being-i-have-ever/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [I met Steve Jobs once. In '06? He had a sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/i-met-steve-jobs-once-in-06-he-had-a-sense-of-humor/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [Steve Jobs is someone I've studied inside and out, and I've applied so many of his techniques and philosophies to my businesses. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-blair/steve-jobs-is-someone-i-ve-studied-inside-and-out-and-i-ve-applied-so/) [Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-blair/) [Browse all 343 Steve jobs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steve-jobs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“world until he was forty. Despite the late start, Bill eventually became the chairman and CEO of Intuit. Following that, he became a legend in high tech, mentoring great CEOs such as Steve Jobs of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Eric Schmidt of Google. 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