How Steve Jobs Became a Billionaire

It is May 24, 1985, and Steve Jobs is about to begin his journey to becoming a billionaire.

It all starts inside Apple's headquarters. John Sculley, the company's CEO, rubs his eyes because he hasn't slept. He had to cancel his flight to China after discovering that Steve Jobs was working behind his back to get him out of the company. After learning this, Sculley called an emergency meeting of the board of directors.

Steve arrives late to that meeting, but as soon as he enters the boardroom, Sculley stands up, places his hands on the table, and begins to speak.

Someone told me you want me out of the company. And I want to know if that's true.

Steve wasn't prepared for this moment, but he has never been shy. He narrows his eyes, focusing his gaze on Sculley.

John, at Pepsi, you were selling carbonated sugar water. You don't understand anything about computers, much less how to build them.

And, when I brought you to Apple it was to help me grow, but so far you haven't succeeded.

You're a bozo, so I think it's best if you leave.

The room falls into absolute silence. While the anger turns Scully's face red.

Steve!! Only the board of directors can remove me from this position. And do you want to hear them? Perfect!, let's vote right now. But I want it to be official; I want the secretary to record the votes.

Sculley looks at the board members and asks them:

It's Steve or me. Who do you vote for?

The tension in the room suddenly skyrockets. The executives shift uncomfortably in their seats. No one wants to speak first.

But Sculley stares intently at Delbert Yocam.

"Delbert?" Sculley asks.

Delbert swallows hard. He looks at Steve but is unable to hold the founder's intense gaze, and looks down at his hands.

"I love you, Steve," Delbert whispers. "But I vote for Sculley."

Sculley looks at Regis McKenna, the legendary marketing consultant who helped build Apple's public image.

"Steve," McKenna says, "I've told you before, you're not ready to run this company. I vote for Sculley."

And, one by one, the board members vote in favor of Sculley.

Steve is in shock. But after several seconds, he finally speaks:

I guess I finally see the truth."

Then Steve gets up and quickly leaves the conference room. He walks to his office and, as soon as he closes the door, begins to cry.

He reaches for his phone receiver with a shaking hand, dials his friend Larry Brilliant's number, and waits in silence until a voice answers on the other end of the line.

With blurry vision and eyes filled with tears, he sobs into the phone:

I miscalculated, Larry. I miscalculated.