10 Inspirational Quotes for Entrepreneurs

Living the life of an entrepreneur can be challenging. You get to experience all sorts of emotions and test your ability to deal with disappointment, frustration and anxiety. You also learn that you are a lot more resilient than you ever gave yourself credit for, and you keep moving forward through all the difficulties for your moment to finally be able to say, “persistence pays off”.

We have a few inspiring quotes to help you keep focused, because even the most disciplined entrepreneur needs some boost of motivation once in a while.

“Choose a job that you like, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius, Philosopher

At the end of the day, you took the risk of becoming an entrepreneur because you like your business idea. You wouldn’t have started your journey if you couldn’t imagine yourself enjoying the work!

“Business opportunities are like buses: there’s always another one coming.” – Richard Branson, Chairman and Founder of Virgin Group

When you have those moments that you regret your decision to be safe rather than taking the risk, think of this quote. You didn’t just miss a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity. Opportunities are abundant for those who are looking for them, and better yet, creating them.

“Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook

Even if a project didn’t go exactly as you planned or imagined, or you start to feel that your entrepreneurial journey isn’t perfect, remind yourself that what’s more important is the fact that you did it. Do better next time or do it differently. The important thing is to learn from what you have completed.

“There’s lots of bad reasons to start a company. But there’s only one good, legitimate reason, and I think you know what it is: it’s to change the world.” – Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote

Believe in yourself and the idea that is going to change the world. What was your motivation for starting this journey?

“If you’re not a risk taker, you should get the hell out of business.” – Ray Kroc, Founder of McDonald’s

Even before you actually took action to become an entrepreneur, even without any experience of running your own business, you knew what you were getting yourself into. You took the risk, many risks actually. Just remember that that was you, not some parallel universe you who is a lot more courageous than you.

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu, Philosopher

Stop letting your fears get in the way of what you could be or achieve. Just because you’re an accountant with no experience in advertising, that doesn’t mean you can’t run an advertising business. Nothing is off limits when you’ve got the right mindset.

“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender, it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” – Stephen Covey, Author, Educator, Businessman

Don’t expect yourself to be perfect at everything the first time you try. Give yourself time and invest in yourself the energy you deserve. Help yourself grow as a person, not just as an entrepreneur.

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington, Author, Educator, Spokesperson

There is no success without the success of others. The success of your business isn’t just made up of your genius ideas; It depends on the success of the customers, staff, and everyone else in and around your business. Self-empowerment comes from empowering others.

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi, Famed Football Coach

Finish what you started and don’t ever quit on yourself! You knew it was never gonna be easy. You’re bound to come across some roadblocks. Don’t be your own roadblock.

“If you had asked people what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.” – Henry Ford*, Founder of Ford Motor Company

*It it unclear whether or not Henry Ford actually said this.

Again, believe in yourself and your ideas. Don’t let yourself second guess your ideas just because it has never been done before or there is no demand. Create the demand. Charge forward.

Chances are, not every entrepreneur will achieve exactly what they dreamt or make a massive impact on humanity that will be remembered forever. But why not just do it anyway? Even if you can change just one person’s world, you’ve already achieved a lot more than you would have, had you not taken the risk to become an entrepreneur.