51 Entrepreneur Quotes to Propel Your Business

Intro

Starting a business is like nurturing a young plant. You must invest your time, energy, and money without expecting immediate rewards. But as your venture grows and flourishes, all the dedication pays off. However, like seedlings, many startups fail to thrive, with a large number closing down within one to three years of launching. One of the key reasons for this is the lack of access to expert guidance and mentorship.

The experience of seasoned entrepreneurs is invaluable. No amount of theoretical knowledge can substitute for the wisdom that comes from actual hands-on work, navigating failures, and achieving success. Below are 51 inspirational quotes and pieces of advice from experienced entrepreneurs that can help guide you as you build your business, offering insights to keep you motivated and on the right path.

Starting a business is like nurturing a young plant. You must invest your time, energy, and money without expecting immediate rewards. But as your venture grows and flourishes, all the dedication pays off. However, like seedlings, many startups fail to thrive, with a large number closing down within one to three years of launching. One of the key reasons for this is the lack of access to expert guidance and mentorship.

The experience of seasoned entrepreneurs is invaluable. No amount of theoretical knowledge can substitute for the wisdom that comes from actual hands-on work, navigating failures, and achieving success. Below are 51 inspirational quotes and pieces of advice from experienced entrepreneurs that can help guide you as you build your business, offering insights to keep you motivated and on the right path.

51 Entrepreneur Quotes to Propel Your Business

1. "Only the paranoid survive." – Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel

   Always stay vigilant, anticipating challenges and adapting to survive in a competitive market.

2. "You have to see failure as the beginning and the middle, but never entertain it as an end." – Jessica Herrin, founder and CEO of Stella & Dot

   Failure is part of the journey. Use it as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.

3. "Success depends on employees. For me, knowing and connecting with my employees is very important." – Divine Ndhlukula, founder and managing director of DDNS Security Operations Ltd

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   Your team is crucial. Build strong relationships with them and prioritize their growth and well-being.

4. "Don’t let others convince you that the idea is good when your gut tells you it’s bad." – Kevin Rose, co-founder of Digg

   Trust your instincts. Sometimes your inner voice knows more than external validation.

5. "Don’t get distracted. Never tell yourself that you need to be the biggest brand in the whole world. Start by working on what you need at the present moment and then what you need to do tomorrow." – Jas Bagniewski, co-founder of Eve Sleep

   Focus on the present and manageable goals. Small, consistent steps lead to long-term success.

6. "If you can offer a free tier that provides a lot of value, it will naturally help your product to spread much more rapidly." – Melanie Perkins, co-founder of Canva

   Offering value up front can create a loyal customer base and generate organic growth.

7. "In the age of transparency, honesty, and generosity, even in the form of an apology, generate goodwill." – Alexander Asseily, founder of Jawbone

   Authenticity and generosity build lasting customer relationships.

8. "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, co-founder of Airbnb

   Solve a problem that you personally encounter, and you're more likely to develop a meaningful business idea.

9. "One of the greatest skills of leadership is being unflappable. Anytime you do anything in the world, there’s going to be criticism." – Arianna Huffington, co-founder of Huffington Post Media Group

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   Leadership requires the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of challenges.

10. "When you are building a startup, it’s difficult. Particularly, a startup that is expanding at the rate of Tinder. You have to give 100%, and you have to be committed. Solving the problem has to be personal, or else you’re going to disintegrate." – Sean Rad, co-founder of Tinder, Inc.

    Entrepreneurship demands full commitment and personal investment in solving your business problems.

11. "Selling is not a pushy, winner-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, co-founder of Mindtree

    Successful selling is built on empathy, understanding, and human connection.

12. "Ignore the hype of the startups that you see in the press. Mostly, it’s a pack of lies. Half of these startups will be dead in a year. So, focus on building your business so you can be the one left standing." – Jules Pieri, co-founder and CEO of The Grommet

    The media often exaggerates startup success. Focus on building something sustainable.

13. "It’s important to realize that a brand is much more than a logo and slogan. A brand is who your company is: how you function and make decisions." – Joanna McFarland, co-founder of HopSkipDrive

    A strong brand reflects the core values and decision-making of your business.

14. "Do not focus on numbers. Focus on doing what you do best. It’s about building a community that wants to visit your site every day because you create value and offer expertise." – Cassey Ho, founder of Blogilates.com

    Focus on delivering value and building relationships, rather than obsessing over metrics.

15. "When in doubt, bootstrap. Using your own personal resources is the easiest way to start a business. You don’t have to convince investors about the merits of your idea. You just have to convince yourself." – Ryan Holmes, co-founder of Hootsuite

    Self-funding your business can give you more control and help you stay focused on your vision.

16. "Starting a company extracts so much energy and conviction that not having a clear-cut goal and meaningful mission can hamper your success." – Sami Inkinen, co-founder of Virta Health

    A clear mission fuels your passion and provides direction for your company.

17. "If you know too much before the start, then you will get overwhelmed. Come up with an original idea, and don’t copy because there will be no passion. You need that otherworldly passion. Just start." – Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

    Start with a unique idea and bring your passion into it – that's the key to authenticity.

18. "Don’t assume that borrowing lots of money can make your startup fly. There are many things to the business other than investors, and it’s possible to succeed with your startup without breaking the bank." – Barnaby Lashbrooke, founder of Time Etc

    Be resourceful and explore ways to grow without relying heavily on external funding.

19. "Don’t try to do everything by yourself, but try to connect with people and resources. Having that discipline and perseverance is really important." – Chieu Cao, co-founder of Perkbox

    Build a network of support and stay persistent in pursuing your goals.

20. "It’s necessary to find a mentor who can invest time to know your personal capabilities and business model." – Nigel Davies, founder of Claromentis

    Mentors offer invaluable guidance that is tailored to your specific needs.

21. "You have to get good at ceding control and not taking things personally." – Leila Janah, founder of Samasource and LXMI

    Delegate and detach from outcomes to maintain your focus and resilience.

22. "No matter how many customers you have, each is an individual." – Dharmesh Shah, co-founder of HubSpot

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    Treat each customer as a unique individual with specific needs and desires.

23. "Fundraising is much easier now because of crowdfunding. Take advantage of that." – Constantin Bisanz, founder of Aloha

    Utilize modern funding options like crowdfunding to raise capital for your startup.

24. "Being a woman in business doesn’t come without challenges. My advice? Surround yourself with other supportive women that encourage you, share ideas, and get you motivated." – Jessica Alba, founder of The Honest Company

    Build a strong network of support, especially among those who understand your journey.

25. "My advice is to focus on the importance of forging a long-term relationship, whether with colleagues, partners, or customers." – Sheila Lirio Marcelo, founder of Care.com

    Long-term relationships drive long-term success.

26. "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

• Walt Disney, Co-founder of The Walt Disney Company

27. "Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life."

• Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple Inc.

28. "Risk more than others think is safe. Dream more than others think is practical."

• Howard Schultz, Former CEO of Starbucks

29. "Chase the vision, not the money. The money will end up following you."

• Tony Hsieh, Former CEO of Zappos

30. "Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great."

• John D. Rockefeller, Business Magnate

31. "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."

• Henry David Thoreau, Philosopher and Author

32. "If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time."

• Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple Inc.

33. "Opportunities don't happen. You create them."

• Chris Grosser, Photographer and Entrepreneur

34. "Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with your marketing."

• Mike Volpe, CEO of Lola.com

35. "Do one thing every day that scares you."

• Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the United States

36. "You don’t need to have a 100-person company to develop that idea."

• Larry Page, Co-founder of Google

37. "Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm."

• Winston Churchill, Former British Prime Minister

38. "All progress takes place outside the comfort zone."

• Michael John Bobak, Digital Artist

39. "Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success."

• Arianna Huffington, Co-founder of The Huffington Post

40. "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse."

• Jim Rohn, Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker

41. "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

• Vidal Sassoon, Hairstylist and Businessman

42. "Fall seven times and stand up eight."

• Japanese Proverb

43. "I never dreamed about success, I worked for it."

• Estee Lauder, Founder of Estée Lauder Companies

44. "There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas, what’s missing is the will to execute them."

• Seth Godin, Author and Entrepreneur

45. "Success is not in what you have, but who you are."

• Bo Bennett, Entrepreneur and Author

46. "The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers."

• Ralph Nader, Political Activist and Author

47. "To win big, you sometimes have to take big risks."

• Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft

48. "The secret to successful hiring is this: look for the people who want to change the world."

• Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce

49. "The best way to predict the future is to create it."

• Peter Drucker, Management Consultant

50. "The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity."

• Peter Drucker, Management Consultant

51. "A big business starts small."

• Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group

Conclusion

These quotes reflect the wisdom and experience of successful entrepreneurs, serving as inspiration and guidance for those embarking on their own journeys. They capture the essence of entrepreneurship: perseverance, innovation, and the courage to take risks.