When you’re trying to stay motivated in your business, you want advice from people to whom you relate. Most lists of quotes for entrepreneurs are filled with the usual men – Jeff Bezos, Walt Disney, etc. I set out to create a more diverse roundup of entrepreneurial inspiration. In the process, I realized that many artists and creatives speak to the passions and problems of entrepreneurship. Browse the sections to find a quote that speaks to what you need right now.

Quotes for Entrepreneurs Looking for Unconventional and Inspiring Advice

These quotes for entrepreneurs are divided into five sections: Inspirational Quotes, Quotes on the Importance of Entrepreneurship, Quotes on Entrepreneurship and Social Justice, Quotes on Failure, and Quotes Reframing Success. Read them all or jump to the section that calls to you.

Inspirational Quotes

Are you looking for quotes for entrepreneurs to light a fire under you? Check out these inspirational quotes.

• “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” – Sheryl Sandberg, author and podcast host
• “It’s important to remember that you have to continue to put one foot in front of the other, no matter what.” – Issa Rae, comedian, author, and actress
• “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Mindy Kaling, producer and actress
• “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” – Brené Brown, researcher and author
• “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoroeau, philosopher

Quotes on the Importance of Entrepreneurship

I’m a firm believer that entrepreneurship matters because it’s the surest path to creating lives we love within the constraints of Capitalism. These quotes remind us why our work matters, especially when it feels like we’re going it alone.

• “We should all be able to do what we love and also take care of ourselves and our families.” – Laverne Cox, activist and actress
• “A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner—continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you—is a fine art, in and of itself.”― Elizabeth Gilbert, author
• “The more good people who have money, the better off our world will be.” – Theo Nash, photographer and business educator

Quotes on Entrepreneurship and Social Justice

No list of quotes for entrepreneurs is complete without those that acknowledge the nuances that exist for people who hold marginalized identities. Entrepreneurship gives you the opportunity to build your own table, so to speak. 

• “And if you’re not into dismantling the systems of oppression that exist in our world today, why not? (We should all be participating in our collective freedom.) However, we have a right to build wealth for ourselves as women for no other reason than we want it.” – Rachel Rodgers, author
• “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” – Malala Yousafzai, education activist
• “Don’t wait for someone to give you power. Take it.” – Beyoncé, singer

Quotes on Failure

In my opinion, a list of quotes for entrepreneurs should always include advice on failure. Failure is part of the learning process. If you probably haven’t failed, you haven’t pushed yourself far enough to discover your limitations and areas of growth.

• “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill, politician
• “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company
• “Life might have its failures, but this was not it. The only true failure can come if you quit.” – Andrea Beaty, author
• “The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.” – Colin R. Davis, conductor
• “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – Michelle Obama, lawyer and author

Quotes Reframing Success

Quotes for entrepreneurs can remind us that success isn’t just about money in the bank. Don’t get me wrong! I’m all about financial abundance. But there are so many other things that can help us define success in our lives and businesses.

• “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou, author
• “If you look really closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” – Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple
• “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schwitzer, theologian
• “Don’t worry about being successful, but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow.” – Oprah Winfrey, author and television personality

Support for Your Entrepreneur Journey

These quotes for entrepreneurs reflect some of my own philosophy as a copywriter for small businesses. I specialize in trauma-informed marketing and SEO. Every time I see my clients achieve their version of success, it fills my cup. 

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