Ever wanted to go on a whirlwind adventure? Like in children’s books where the hero comes across a challenge or hurdle, overcomes it, and saves the day? Well, being an entrepreneur is like living an adventure firsthand. Through the adventure, there will come a point when a little help goes a long way. That is when quotes can make a difference.
A quote is simply a phrase that a person stated, that resonates with another person on a deep level. Quotes (short for quotations) can effectively change an entrepreneur’s mood, reminding them of the bigger picture when they are facing a tough time. These quotes are brilliant for entrepreneurs for three reasons:
- Finding something uplifting to make it through the hard times
- Full Inspiration for a recharge at any time of day
- A quick dose of motivation when all seems lost, and the journey is tough
Uplifting Quotes For Tough Times
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, and it does include unpredictable twists and turns. Through this experience, entrepreneurs may find themselves overwhelmed, wondering how to cope from one day to the next. It is at this time that you will need some quotes to uplift you, from accomplished entrepreneurs or revered experts who have made it. Here are some quotes that will help you get back on track.
1. There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah made it from rags to riches, working hard to overcome massive obstacles from her childhood. Today, she is a billionaire, having long discovered the power of trying again and again.
2. If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find the solution for a problem in your own life
Brian Chesky
Airbnb was co-founded by Brian Chesky, without letting any so-called barriers in the way. His quote resonates with any entrepreneur that is starting with no investors or money and struggling to keep their ideas alive. The idea for his business came from facing a challenge with paying rent. Thus he used his home to offer cheap accommodation on an air mattress. It all came from fixing a simple problem in his own life.
3. There are secret opportunities hidden inside every failure
Sophia Amoruso
The founder of Nasty Gal made hundreds of millions in her business, which was buying items at low prices and selling them on eBay. In some instances, she made profits worth thousands of dollars. What some had viewed as a failure and were selling off on the cheap, she saw it as an opportunity, and it paid off.
4. Selling is not a pushy, winter takes all, macho act. It is an empathy led, process-driven, and knowledge-intensive discipline. Because, in the end, people buy from people.
Subroto Bagchi
The founder of Mindtree grew up in poverty and credited his family with teaching him the importance of idealism. It is from his childhood that he learned to do what was right, not necessarily what is convenient. Being an entrepreneur does not mean that one should be aggressive. Knowing how to do the work in the right way can be even more effective.
5. People inspire you, or they drain you – pick them wisely.
Hans F. Hansen
Being an entrepreneur sometimes needs you to be radical and do things that go against the grain. This is what happened with Hans F. Hansen, who was a footballer who started a cosmetics company. Now, he is working for an even bigger goal, which is making the world a better place, especially for women. The critics – he pays them no mind and continues to barrel forward.
6. Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.
Sara Blakely
A door to door salesperson transformed her life by becoming an entrepreneur selling pantyhose, creating the Spanx brand. She transformed a simple idea, with no experience in business and what it would entail. By doing something different from the rest, and going through unchartered territory, she was able to thrive.
7. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.
Steve Jobs
Known as a technology pioneer, this is one entrepreneur that is known for walking his own path. Due to that, innovations have come through which have changed the world. Entrepreneurs are free to confidently stand by their own opinions to drive growth.
8. You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth broke records and went down in history for leading his baseball teams to success. To break a record, and to be a world-class athlete, continuous, consistent practice is the magic formula. The same applies to entrepreneurs. Success requires one to pick themselves up every time that they fall.
9. A person who has never made a mistake never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein
Quite possibly one of the greatest mathematicians of our millennia, Albert Einstein was regarded as a genius. It was not always that way, though. He walked the journey of being misunderstood, and despite genius status, failed his college entrance exam. Through his journey, failure and mistakes were common. He kept moving forward and grew into his purpose.
10. Don’t let others convince you that the idea is good when your gut tells you it’s bad.
Kevin Rose
Kevin Rose is an IT media mogul who founded Digg, who had always been fascinated with all things technical. Being in a rapidly evolving market segment means that there is no end of opinions about growth and even the next big thing. As an entrepreneur being asked to try all types of things, he held to his ideals and insights, to create an attractive and affordable product that transformed the news.
Motivating Quotes to Build Your Confidence
When an entrepreneur’s mind is full of worry and concern, it is time for motivation. There are so many different things one may worry about, including finances, getting clients, technology, competition, marketing – the list can be overwhelming. This is when it becomes necessary to slow down and recalibrate. These quotes are perfect for this.
1. Don’t worry about being successful but work towards being significant and the success will naturally follow.
Oprah Winfrey
Listening to Oprah, you will find that it was a revelation to her when she realized how much she earned in her first year of having a talk show. The reason was that she was not interested in the money at the time. She was more focused on her product and delivery. Keep your eye on the prize and follow through on your plan.
2. I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that work.
Thomas Edison
This is what Thomas Edison, the inventor said when he came up with the first functional incandescent light bulb. Entrepreneurs should never give up on their ideas, and failure is not a negative. It just means there is another option to be explored until you get it right.
3. The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney had a love of art from his early childhood, and he chose to start trying out animation. This, after being in the army as a teenager. Despite facing failure in business twice by the age of 22, he kept at it and birthed the studio that is known and loved today.
4. There ‘s nothing wrong with staying small. You can do big things with a small team.
Jason Fried
When faced with success, the company Basecamp, which was formally 37signals, attempted growth too soon. This led to disorganization and spreading themselves too thin. Small teams, focusing on delivering excellent work, and creating a focused product is the basis of this quote. There is no rush, a step by step approach can result in perfection.
5. Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.
Drew Houston
The CEO of Dropbox, Drew Houston, is now a billionaire after his company went public. Over ten years, he worked hard to get Dropbox off the ground, and when it did, it has paid off well. This is despite receiving offers from large companies to purchase his company along his growth journey. Entrepreneurs can be motivated, knowing that their products have the potential to grow exponentially.
6. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred with dust and sweat; who strives valiantly, who errs and may fall again and again because there is no effort without error or shortcoming.
Theodore Roosevelt
This quote is from a man who wore many hats, with the most recognized being the 26th president of the United States. By being accomplished in different areas, he knew about the value of hard work. Entrepreneurs can thrive when they put themselves in the thick of things.
7. Be the change you wish to see in the world
Mahatma Gandhi
This quote is from a man that went against the grain, choosing to have a non-violent protest in his fight for the rights of the poor. At the time, countries preferred war to resolve these types of issues. By being the change he wanted to see, and it was easier for others to follow his example. Entrepreneurs are leaders and can make moves that they want their followers to experience.
8. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.
John A Shedd
Though not an entrepreneur, this quote can serve to motivate any entrepreneur along their journey. It can be translated to mean that one should not sit on a great idea. Great ideas need to be brought to life through action.
9. Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.
Bill Gates
Competition is something that Bill Gates has continuously faced. He is known for also saying that within three years, the products that he has today will be obsolete. Being such a large company could result in arrogance and belief in being the best. However, customer complaints help keep the company on their toes, always improving offerings and meeting their expectations.
10. Tough times never last, but tough people do.
Robert H. Schuller
Five decades on television as a pastor, televangelist, author, and motivational speaker means that Schuller has experience when it comes to ups and downs. Entrepreneurs need to be tough from the inside and realize that there are seasons for everything. When things are not going well, it is essential to remember that the tough time will come to an end, and things will stabilize once more.
Fully Inspirational
The uplifting and motivational posts will help build your confidence and reassure you that all will be well when things get tough. It is still worth learning from the greats when things are going well. These fully inspirational quotes are perfect for starting and going through the day. They tap into the most important part of being an entrepreneur – that is dreaming. Here they are.
1. All your dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney
Confidence is crucial, and believing in yourself will propel you forward. Walt Disney, whose work revolves around dreams, adds in the element of courage. Courage allows one to take a step forward, even when they do not know where the journey will take them.
2. Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.
Wayne Huizenga
Wayne Huizenga is an entrepreneur who took his life in his own hands. His family had owned a company for years, but he left school, worked with his company to get experience, and then very successfully branched out on his own. His company was listed on Fortune 500, and he added other companies to his portfolio too.
3. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams
Entrepreneurs are leaders, and the 6th President of the United States prompts leaders to be action-oriented. It is important to share passion, and from this, others will work to deliver that passion by also fulfilling their dreams. Leaders need to be inspirational.
4. Wonder what your customer really wants? Ask. Don’t tell.”
Lisa Stone
Customers have a voice, and they are looking to be heard. She paid attention to what they were saying and was able to create a product that met their needs. Being a woman, she targets women as she understands this market. Her story and quote encourage entrepreneurs to focus on their customers, paying attention to what they want so they can exceed expectations.
5. Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long time ago.
Warren Buffet
A small idea starts from somewhere and has the power to grow into massive action. As an entrepreneur, no step is too small. One can lay down the foundation, and slowly nurture an idea so that it can reach its maturity in glory.
6. You are the only one who can limit your greatness
Though not attributed to a specific person, this is a quote that is well known the world over. Entrepreneurs are go-getters and need to tackle all situations that come their way to attain success. Nothing can come between an entrepreneur and their path. This means as an entrepreneur, you are fully responsible for your success or failure.
7. Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it.
Keep going, keep believing, and trust you are on the right path. Consider the super producer, Tyler Perry. For a total of seven years, he worked on getting one play running, and for people to attend. Along the path, things seemed dark, and he lost everything. He kept going, and one day, received his breakthrough. Since then, he has gone on to make movies, more plays, build his studios, and much more. From zero, he is a multi-millionaire. Great things and brilliant results take time. Be patient, and trust that all will be well and ensure that the dream remains alive.
Quotes are not simple memes or a great background to have on your PC, phone, or social media pages. They tell a story about a journey, a feeling, a hurdle, and even an experience. With these quotes, you learn a little about the people they are from, and what they were going through. Although all entrepreneurs have their journeys to experience, some fundamentals remain the same. Each of these quotes is relatable at different stages of the entrepreneurship journey. Read them as many times as you can and be inspired. You are on the right track.
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