A successful company is one which, behaving ethically and legally, creates value, independent of the owners efforts. This usually results in a sustained stream of profit, and a positive market value, representing the anticipated future profits.Ethically because unethical companies tend to transfer value rather than create it.Legally because any value created illegally will be destroyed when it's discovered.Independent of the owners because any company that depends on the ongoing work of the owners is more of a job than a company.Sustained because if it's not sustained (or sustainable), it could be the result of mere luck.Profit because anyone can make a company with a certain level of revenue without containing costs.Market value because that's how we measure these things.
