Kara Swisher says 'hugely successful' businesses have these 3 things

Kara Swisher said it's important to be useful to readers.

Business Insider Media mogul Kara Swisher spoke to Business Insider about her career and entrepreneurship.

Swisher said that all "hugely successful" businesses have three elements.

She said it's important to offer a product that's useful and interesting to consumers.

Starting a business is a feat in itself — but building one that lasts is even harder.

Kara Swisher built her reputation as a reporter covering Silicon Valley and investigating billionaires at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal before launching the media brand Recode, and writing "Burn Book," a memoir and chronicle of powerful tech leaders.

Venturing out on her own was a natural fit for the media mogul .

"I hate being an employee," Swisher told Business Insider's Dan DeFrancesco in a conversation with newsroom staff.

"I'm like, 'You're an idiot.' And I say it, and then it gets me into trouble." Swisher said that entrepreneurship may come more naturally to some people, but most can learn it.

However, any successful business needs three elements to thrive, regardless of size, she said.

Brands may be able to survive with just one of the three components, but in order to be "hugely successful," they need all three, Swisher said.

First: They must have a product people genuinely find useful.

In media, that can mean delivering great reporting, scoops, or tips, she said.

Swisher said the challenge is cutting through the noise with an offering that people actually find helpful.