It might come as no surprise that women are still making 82% of a man’s paycheck. Yep, it can really feel like a man’s world out there. But sometimes, hearing motivational business woman quotes can help you pick yourself up and find new inspiration. 💌
Whether it’s the latest hire mansplaining the work you’ve been doing for the past decade, pitches falling on deaf ears, or trying to fix the gender wage gap single-handedly, being a female entrepreneur is the furthest thing from easy.
All the hardships we can face just because of our gender identity can make any businesswoman of this, the past, or the next generation want to throw in the towel. 😰
But the good news is, we can find solidarity and strength in another woman’s fight for success. That’s why we’ve compiled 50 inspirational quotes on how to thrive in the business world for women, by women entrepreneurs, into the following categories:
Let's dive in!
Business woman quotes on mindset
Business owners hear advice all the time—whether it’s in the entrepreneurial podcasts that we listen to in the car or from grandma at Thanksgiving. It’s practically part of the job description.
That's why we thought female entrepreneurs could benefit from hearing about mindset from other women in business: like the Former First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, or the co-founder of Flickr, Caterina Fake. 🙌
“You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the United States
“Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” – Madam C. J. Walker, entrepreneur and first documented female millionaire
“What I always say is, 'Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it.' – Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors
“A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.” – Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, inc.
“The most successful entrepreneurs I know are optimistic. It’s part of the job description.” – Caterina Fake, co-founder of Flickr
Business woman quotes on fear, failure, and taking that risk
Wheher you want to start a business but have no ideas or are scared to take a new risk with your current business, you might need an empowering pick-me-up from successful leaders like Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Facebook/Meta, or Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post. 💪
These strong accomplished women demonstrate that our fear of failure can be our greatest enemy and that any venture gone awry can actually turn into our most important life lesson (a lesson that helps us find even greater success later!). 🤓
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” – Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook/Meta
“Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM
“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, former CEO of Spanx
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated. It may even be necessary to encounter the defeat, so that we can know who we are.” – Maya Angelou, Civil Rights activist and poet
“I see some people stay in one place because it’s convenient or it’s comfortable. But they’re missing out on their passion.” – Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post
Business woman quotes on leadership and community
Not advocating for yourself or others gets you nowhere. It’s easy to get swept up in visions of self-grandeur and confusing corporate culture, but these quotes from powerful women like Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, teach us that a great leader never stops thinking of how to lend a helping hand. 🤝
“As a leader, I am tough on myself and I raise the standard for everybody; however, I am very caring because I want people to excel at what they are doing so that they can aspire to be me in the future.” – Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo
“A good leader should focus on making sure everyone is being given the tools to do their job, not just expecting - poof! - that they're going to produce great work.” – Anne Sweeney, former president of Disney Channel
“If you don’t learn to delegate as a leader, if you don’t trust your leadership team, you’re never going to have a star leadership team. No star leader is going to join you if you’re going to micromanage everything.” – Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post
“The business of business should not just be about money, it should be about responsibility. It should be about public good, not private greed.” ― Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop
"The more women help one another, the more we help ourselves. Acting like a coalition truly does produce results." – Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook/Meta
💡 Want to learn more about leadership? Check out our guide to the best leadership podcasts for 2024 here.
Business woman quotes on individuality
It can be hard for a woman to stand in her power day in and day out. In fact, sometimes the people around them might even suggest they shrink themselves down to fit in and make their own business more palatable. However, these motivational quotes demonstrate that women entrepreneurs have gotten this far by standing strong and showing off their unique qualities. 👑
“In whatever you do, you’re not going to stand out unless you think big and have ideas that are truly original. That comes from tapping into your own creativity, not obsessing over what everyone else is doing.” – Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal
“You can either waltz boldly onto the stage of life and live the way you know your spirit is nudging you to, or you can sit quietly by the wall, receding into the shadows of fear and self-doubt.” – Oprah Winfrey, American media personality and producer
"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." – Coco Chanel, fashion designer
“You can be good at technology and like fashion and art. You can be good at technology and be a jock. You can be good at technology and be a mom. You can do it your way, on your terms.” – Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo!
“Whatever you do, be different – that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.” – Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop
Business woman quotes on success
Don’t get down on yourself if you feel like you’re getting nothing for all the effort you’re putting in. These quotes from female leaders show that success is not one-size-fits-all. Instead, it’s all about how you feel—and the consistent effort you put in each day. 👠
"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it." – Estée Lauder, founder of The Estée Lauder companies
“Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own,” – Michelle Obama, Former American First Lady
“Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way.” – Vera Wang, fashion designer
“Chart a new path to success, remaking it in a way that includes not just the conventional metrics of money and power, but a third metric that includes well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving, so that the goal is not just to succeed but to thrive.” – Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post
“There are many things you can do overnight but there is no overnight success.” – Tory Burch, fashion designer
Powerful women are motivational
You’re not alone. Many women entrepreneurs before you have tread the path you’re currently on. Many women entrepreneurs after you will follow in your footsteps. 👣
Together, we can achieve our wildest dreams and stay firm in our resolutions—even when it’s hard work. Even when it feels impossible. Because you’re the next big thing, and you know it. 😎
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