Steve Jobs inspired

    Steve Jobs, thanks.

    That's at least what some small business owners have to say to the Apple co-founder who stepped down from his position as CEO last week.

    The risk-taker and college dropout, who resigned from Apple in 1985 only to return in 1997 and sell his colleagues on a then-crazy idea called the iPod, has put fire into the bellies of budding entrepreneurs.

    From an apparel company to an audio-book creator, some small businesses would not be around if not for their tight connections to the iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac products.

    To sync up with Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple, small businesses have learned to roll out products quickly, to keep up with the rapid speed that new versions of Apple products are released. "No other company, in our modern age, has moved things, as far as technology goes, so quickly," said Damon Brown, author of "Damon Brown's Simple Guide to the iPad" and "The Pocket Idiot's Guide to the iPod" (Alpha Books, 2005),

    "It's a game changer. Small businesses have to move much faster than they used to. They have to listen. That could totally destroy, or totally create, a new market," said Brown.

Making a case or two

Company: BodyGuardz

Location: Bluffdale, Utah

Website: bodyguardz.com

    Since 2002 BodyGuardz has designed cases for handhelds, smart phones, media players, tablets and notebooks. All are made in the United States. In 2004, it rolled out its first Apple-specific product: an iPod case.

    "The Apple ecosystem, in my mind, drives this industry," said CEO Kirk Feller. "Now that we are 'in,' there's a loyal following and we love Apple users. I really believe that Apple has a tight hold on the industry, especially for cell phones."

    During iPhone launches, BodyGuardz has experienced an average of 34 percent growth in sales over the previous quarter.

    Eighteen months ago, when Apple added scratch-resistant screens, thereby lessening the need for a protective case, Feller responded by offering anti-glare screens. On the days new Apple products are released, BodyGuardz employees stand in line with everyone else. (Apple has historically kept a tight lid on details about upcoming releases.) Once the product is in hand, a case can be made -- but never before.

    "We can actually create our products in less than 24 hours. As soon as we have that device, it takes us four hours to make it and then we get into production," said Feller. "If you have to send it off to China and wait 30 days, well, you know how that works."