People talk a lot about something called a “Minimum Viable Product” (MVP) these days. It means making a basic version of a product, just enough to work, and putting it out quickly.

Founders are told to move fast, try things, and keep testing. And yes, that can be helpful; it helps them learn quickly and fix problems faster.

But in all this speed, we’ve forgotten something important: building with care and quality.

Let’s take a moment to look at some famous products we all know and love, and how they were made with patience and attention to detail.

Why Apple Delayed the Launch of Its First iPhone

Apple delayed the first iPhone launch because Steve Jobs didn’t like that the plastic screen could get scratched in someone’s pocket. He wanted it to be made with glass instead. This choice wasn’t quick or easy, but it made the iPhone special. It showed people that this wasn’t just a regular phone. It was something carefully made and worth wanting.

Notion’s Slow Launch Created a Better Product

Notion spent years quietly working on its product while other companies rushed to launch. They took their time to make it easy to use, flexible, and even fun. Because of that, people love using Notion, not just using it, but talking about how great it is.

Clubhouse Took Off Quickly, But Couldn't Keep Up

Clubhouse became super popular during the pandemic and got millions of users very quickly. But soon, people lost interest. Why? Because other apps were better designed and more carefully made. Clubhouse got a lot of attention fast, but it wasn’t strong enough.

Facebook’s Fast Lane Led to a Dead End

Even Facebook, which became famous for moving fast and trying new things quickly, had to change its way of working. Going too fast caused problems, and fixing those problems later was hard. The simple truth is this: in our hurry to launch things quickly, we’ve forgotten how to build things with care and beauty.

Why Great Products Aren’t Built in a Hurry

Think about the things you use and love, like your favourite app or device. Chances are, they weren’t made in a rush or just to get by. They were made with care. They feel easy to use, well-designed, and even fun.At some point, MVP stopped being just the first step and became the whole goal. People began telling startup founders that going fast is all that matters. Just build, launch, repeat. Try to impress investors and keep things moving.

But we don’t ask enough: Is this even something good to build?

I’m not against MVPs; they're a good way to start. But now, we’ve mixed up being simple with being low-quality. And when speed is the only thing we care about, we end up losing more than we think.

When we focus only on speed, we lose important things, like people’s trust, long-term success, and the love users feel for a great product.

I’ve learned this the hard way as a founder.

An MVP can get attention and help you try out an idea. But it usually doesn’t make people stay. To build something that truly lasts, you need to care, take your time, and build with purpose something that makes people feel connected.

The best products feel special because you can tell they were made with care. Every button, every screen, every feature shows thought and effort. That kind of quality doesn’t come from rushing; it comes from slowing down, paying attention, and doing things properly.

So what should we do now?

Can we build things fast and with care? I think yes, but we need to change how we think. Success isn’t just about how fast we finish. It’s also about how well we connect with people. The fastest way isn’t always the best. We need to balance trying quickly with building carefully.

We can still work fast. We can still test ideas and learn from them. But we shouldn’t forget how special it is to build something with care.

Today, many products feel rushed, unfinished, or copied from others. That’s where putting real effort into what you build can make a big difference.

When you take time to build something thoughtful, people notice. They trust it. They keep using it. And they tell their friends about it.

Building with care doesn’t slow you down; it makes you stand out.

So yes, start with an MVP. But don’t stop there. Build with heart. Build with purpose. Build something people will remember!