Somewhere along the line, the internet convinced people that copying is evil and originality is everything. Now, many smart people are stuck doing nothing, waiting for a “never before seen” business idea that may never come. But copying business ideas is not a bad thing.

Austin Kleon said it plainly in Steal Like an Artist: Nothing is original. Every new idea is a remix.

Business history agrees with him more than motivation threads do. Most successful businesses today did not invent brand new ideas. They studied what already worked, understood why it worked, and then rebuilt it with better execution, better timing, or clearer positioning. The real problem has never been copying business ideas. The problem is copying blindly.

The Lie We Were Sold About Originality

One of the biggest lies modern entrepreneurship sells is the idea that you must create something completely new to succeed.

It sounds inspiring, but it can also waste time. I bet this was one of the reasons you hesitated to start the business you were inspired to create. You read a book, watched a movie, enjoyed a meal, saw an advertisement, or came across a video, and thought, “Oh, I could actually start my own.” Yet, you found yourself overthinking and researching, going back and forth with the idea. Deep down, something made you feel like you were merely copying someone else. Believe me, this is true.

Original ideas do not automatically create demand. Markets respond to solutions, not creativity alone. That is why many highly original startups fail while “unoriginal” businesses quietly make money.

You can confirm this by reviewing the failed startup lists published each year. One of the most common reasons businesses shut down is no market need. Not a lack of creativity.

Austin Kleon explains that creativity is not pulling ideas out of thin air. It is selective borrowing. You observe what already exists, filter it through your experience, values, and audience, then improve it.

In business, originality often shows up in execution, not invention.

Copying Business Ideas Is How Markets Actually Grow

Look closely at what happened this year across multiple industries.

When generative AI tools exploded, thousands of businesses launched almost immediately. Writing assistants, design tools, legal research bots, customer support systems, productivity dashboards. None of these ideas was new. What changed was focus.

People copied a proven idea and tailored it to specific industries. That is why we now have AI tools just for lawyers, just for students, just for content creators, just for small businesses. Same core idea. Different execution.

The same thing happened in digital education. Online courses have existed for years. What changed recently was the format: micro-learning, cohort-based programs, community-driven learning, and outcome-focused courses. The business idea stayed the same. The delivery evolved.

Even brands people call “innovative” followed this path. Uber did not invent taxis. Airbnb did not invent short stays. Instagram did not invent photos. TikTok did not invent short videos. They all just copied existing models and executed better.

Copying does not kill innovation. It forces improvement.

Why Copying Business Ideas Often Works Better

One big reason copying business ideas works is simple: 

1 It reduces risk.

Because when an idea already exists, it has answered one hard question: will someone or can someone pay for this? Instead of guessing if demand exists, you can focus on things that actually grow revenue:

  • Improving customer experience or better products
  • Simplifying the buying process
  • Targeting a clearer audience
  • Delivering faster or better results

This is why many first-time entrepreneurs who start with proven models survive longer than those who chase originality.

2. Another underrated advantage is speed.

    In today’s economy, speed beats perfection. Businesses that win are rarely first movers. They are fast learners. Copying a working idea allows you to launch faster, test faster, and adjust faster.

    Ironically, people who refuse to copy often struggle the most. They overthink, wait, and fear being judged. Meanwhile, others study what works, adapt it, launch it, and improve it quietly. Even Austin Kleon warns against creative isolation. Business works the same way. Growth comes from engagement, not isolation.

    Lazy Copying vs Strategic Copying

    Someone reading this might think that when I refer to copying, I mean “garbage in, garbage out,” which relates to plagiarism. There are legal rules and regulations that affect anyone involved in creative work or business in such a manner. This type of copying isn’t smart.

    • Lazy copying looks like cloning, branding, duplicating offers, or repeating content word-for-word without understanding why it works. That usually fails quickly because it adds no value.
    • Strategic copying is different. It means studying a business deeply, spotting gaps, and rebuilding with intention. Kleon calls this copying selectively. You take what works within your interest and discard what doesn’t. Strategic copying asks better questions:

    • Who is this business serving well, and who is being ignored?
    • What problem does it solve properly, and where does it fall short?
    • What can be simplified, localised, or personalised?

    This is where copied ideas turn into competitive businesses.

    How to Copy Business Ideas with Intent and Achieve Better Results in 2026?

    I know you’re eager to learn how to apply the valuable advice and insights from Austin Kleon’s book, “Steal Like an Artist.” With the arrival of 2026, we all want to achieve tangible results. However, you’ll have to wait for our next blog post to discover how to do this. So, please subscribe to our email list to be the first to know when we upload the next part of this post.

    In conclusion, if imitating business ideas helps you move faster, reduce risks, and serve people better, it is not cheating; it is learning. The real goal is not to be the most original person in the room, but to build something that people actually use, pay for, and value. 

    As “Steal Like an Artist” subtly teaches, you are allowed to learn from what already exists.