from since1968 :: Steve Krug Interview, upon being asked about so many quality websites coming from amateur enthusiasts rather than professionals:

"I'm afraid I'm not very big on calculating correlations between things. But it reminds me of a line from an underground comic called The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers from back in the 1970's: "Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope." Having a small budget and someone on the project with clout who really cares about whether users have a good experience--which is often the case with an amateur site--will often get you much farther than a big budget and no one guiding the whole thing.
(On the other hand, while a big budget doesn't ensure usability, it doesn't preclude it, either. Rich people can get into heaven; it's just trickier.)"