Owning a business is a challenging undertaking with many highs and lows.
Whether leading a startup, managing a team or building your personal brand, now is a good time to remind yourself that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the product of consistent effort, resilience and resolve to keep moving when the going gets tough.
We’ve compiled 120 inspiring business quotes that help spark clarity, courage and momentum.
These quotes are drawn from business moguls, thought leaders, creatives and historical figures who have shaped the way we work and think.
In this blog:
1. Leadership Quotes
2. Success & Hustle Quotes
3. Innovation & Creativity Quotes
4. Perseverance & Failure Quotes
5. Entrepreneurship & Risk-Taking Quotes
6. Motivation & Mindset Success Quotes
7. Teamwork & Collaboration Quotes
8. Time Management & Productivity Quotes
9. Legacy, Growth & Vision Quotes
10. Decision-Making & Strategic Thinking Quotes
11. Customer Experience & Service Excellence Quotes
Business Quotes FAQs
1. Leadership Quotes
All leaders in the world — whether managers, school teachers, presidents or coaches — are to a great extent involved in helping others achieve something that would otherwise not be possible or practical on their own.
If you are a leader yourself, then you know that strong leadership is about vision, resilience and the ability to inspire.
These business motivational quotes will guide you and help you lead with purpose.
1. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” – Ronald Reagan, Former U.S. President
2. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” – Warren Bennis, American consultant and author
3. “Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position.” – Brian Tracy, Motivational speaker
4. “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” – Jack Welch, Chairman and CEO of General Electric (1981-2001)
5. “Don’t find fault, find a remedy.” – Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company
6. “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” – Martin Luther King Jr., American minister and civil rights activist
7. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek, American author and inspirational speaker
8. “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, Activist and former First Lady of the United States
9. “The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” – Tony Blair, Statesperson and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
10. “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” – Bill Gates, American businessman and philanthropist
2. Success & Hustle Quotes
As an entrepreneur, failure comes with the territory. While setbacks are often unavoidable, there’s one trait that’s entirely within your control and can tip the scale between failure and success: hustle.
These business quotes are for the hustlers, the dreamers and the doers who show up every day.
11. “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau, American naturalist and essayist
12. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney, American animation film producer and voice actor
13. “Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” – Chris Grosser, American photographer, entrepreneur and motivational speaker
14. “Success is not in what you have, but who you are.” – Bo Bennett, former professional ice hockey player
15. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” – Thomas Jefferson, Former US president
16. “Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it.” – Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta
17. “Success isn’t owned, it’s leased. And rent is due every day.” – J.J. Watt, American footballer
18. “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill, Statesman and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
19. “Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.” – Richard Branson, English business magnate
20. “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell, Former United States Secretary of State
3. Innovation & Creativity Quotes
Creativity and innovation are essential traits for entrepreneurs because they fuel originality, set businesses apart and drive meaningful progress.
In a competitive landscape, it’s not enough to follow the standard path — entrepreneurs must think differently, challenge the norm and turn bold ideas into real solutions.
In a fast-changing business world, those who think differently are the ones who shape the future. Let’s read a few:
21. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs, Former CEO of Apple
22. “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein, Physicist
23. “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” – Alan Kay, American computer scientist
24. “There’s a way to do it better — find it.” – Thomas Edison, American inventor and businessman
25. “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.” – Reid Hoffman, American internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist
26. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller, American businessman and philanthropist
27. “Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” – Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter
28. “New ideas pass through three periods: It can’t be done. It probably can be done. It’s done!” – Arthur C. Clarke, Writer
29. “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” – Albert Einstein, Physicist
30. “Innovation comes from saying no to 1,000 things.” – Steve Jobs, Former CEO of Apple
4. Perseverance & Failure Quotes
As an entrepreneur, you know failure is just part of the process. These motivational quotes for success remind us that failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s part of the journey.
31. “It’s fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” – Bill Gates, American businessman and philanthropist
32. “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy, American politician and lawyer
33. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill, Statesman and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
34. “The phoenix must burn to emerge.” – Janet Fitch, American author
35. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison, American inventor and businessman
36. “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company
37. “Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” – Napoleon Hill, American author
38. “The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” – Paulo Coelho, Brazilian lyricist and novelist
39. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius, Chinese philosopher
40. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem, American writer, poet and philosopher
5. Entrepreneurship & Risk-Taking Quotes
Entrepreneurship is about vision, belief and taking bold yet measured leaps. For entrepreneurs, risk-taking is a strategic process of identifying, evaluating and mitigating potential risks and pursuing opportunities that could lead to growth or, if misjudged, to loss.
Sometimes, pursuing a business opportunity means venturing beyond your comfort zone, challenging the status quo and seizing possibilities that most others may shy away from.
41. These business motivational quotes for success capture the boldness and resilience it takes to build something from scratch.
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk.” – Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta
42. “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” – Unknown
43. “Play by the rules, but be ferocious.” – Phil Knight, Former CEO of Nike, Inc.
44. “The way to learn to do things is to do things.” – Amos Bronson Alcott, American teacher and writer
45. “Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.” – Drew Houston, CEO of Dropbox, Inc.
46. “Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” – Farrah Gray, American businessman and investor
47. “The best entrepreneurs are not risk-takers. They are calculated risk-takers.” – Tina Seelig, Executive director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars
48. “An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down.” – Reid Hoffman, American internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist
49. “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and by falling over.” – Richard Branson, English business magnate
50. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs, Former CEO of Apple
6. Motivation & Mindset Success Quotes
The entrepreneurial mindset is characterized by a dynamic outlook that views uncertainty as a chance for growth. It drives individuals to identify opportunities, devise innovative solutions to challenges and act on them with a positive attitude.
These business quotes in English will help you reframe challenges, stay hungry and power growth.
51. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company
52. “Success is 99% attitude and 1% aptitude.” – Celestine Chua, founder of PersonalExcellence.co
53. “Your mindset determines your success.” – Darren Hardy, American author
54. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt, Former US president
55. “Work hard in silence, let success make the noise.” – Frank Ocean, American singer-songwriter
56. “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James, American philosopher and psychologist
57. “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” – Buddha, Religious teacher
58. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur and author
59. “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” – Ralph Marston, Football player
60. “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson, American sports coach
7. Teamwork & Collaboration Quotes
Teamwork is needed to foster cohesion and productivity in the workplace. By encouraging collaboration, open communication and a shared sense of purpose, organizations can enhance employee morale, improve problem-solving and drive innovation.
Starting a business can take one person, but growing requires a team. These motivational quotes celebrate the power of collaboration, trust and shared vision.
61.“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller, American author
62. “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company
63. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Edward Everett Hale, American author and historian
64. “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs, Former CEO of Apple
65. “It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” – Napoleon Hill, American author
66. “None of us is as smart as all of us.” – Ken Blanchard, American author and business professional
67. “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan, American businessman and former basketball player
68. “A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others.” – Norman Shidle, Author
69. “Collaboration allows us to know more than we are capable of knowing by ourselves.” – Paul Solarz, Author
70. “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson, Sports coach
8. Time Management & Productivity Quotes
Time is a limited resource, and managing it effectively is essential for business success. By prioritizing tasks, allocating time wisely and avoiding distractions, businesses can accomplish more quickly, ultimately boosting both profitability and reputation.
These motivational quotes in English will sharpen your focus, cut the fluff and keep your energy where it matters
71. “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” – Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur and author
72. “You may delay, but time will not.” – Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father of the United States
73. “It’s not about having time. It’s about making time.” – Unknown
74. “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson, American humorist and writer
75. “Ordinary people think merely of spending time; great people think of using it.” – Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher
76. “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey, American educator and author
77. “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” – Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company
78. “Focus on being productive instead of busy.” – Tim Ferriss, American entrepreneur and investor
79. “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer, Pioneer of the self-improvement industry
80. “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee, Martial artist and actor
9. Legacy, Growth & Vision Quotes
Visionary leadership is the foundation of long-term success and meaningful impact. It goes beyond setting targets, it’s about shaping a powerful story that unites, motivates and directs teams toward a common goal.
These success quotes are for professionals who want to use vision to steer progress and inspire those around them.
81. “The goal isn’t to live forever, but to create something that will.” – Chuck Palahniuk, American novelist
82. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” – Pericles, Greek statesman
83. “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein, Physicist
84. “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” – Jeff Bezos, American businessman and founder of Amazon.com
85. “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” – Ralph Nader, American lawyer
86. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller, American businessman and philanthropist
87. “Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.” – Roy T. Bennett, Author
88. “Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.” – Tony Hsieh, Former CEO of Zappos
89. “Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” – James Cash Penney, American businessman and entrepreneur
90. “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” – Sean Patrick Flanery, American actor
91. “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates, American businessman and philanthropist
92. “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington, American educator and author
93. “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” – W. P. Kinsella, Canadian novelist
94. “A vision without action is merely a dream.” – Joel A. Barker, Author
95. “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – John F. Kennedy, Former US president
96. “Big thinking precedes great achievement.” – Wilferd Peterson, Author
97. “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” – Steve Martin, American comedian and actor
98. “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” – Muhammad Ali, Professional boxer and social activist
99. “Make your life a masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can be, have or do.” – Brian Tracy, Canadian-American motivational speaker
100. “Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – Michelle Obama, Attorney and former First Lady of the United States
10. Decision-Making & Strategic Thinking Quotes
Every successful leader knows that strategy isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters most. Smart decisions, taken at the right time, can transform uncertainty into opportunity and ideas into results.
These motivational quotes in English are for professionals who want to sharpen their judgment, think ahead and lead with clarity and intention.
101. “The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” – Michael Porter, Economist, researcher, author and professor
102. “Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” – Peter Drucker, Austrian-American consultant and educator
103. “Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion.” – Jack Welch, American business professional
104. “Don’t just wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.” – Unknown
105. “A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion.” – Grantland Rice, American sportswriter and poet
106. “It is better to be boldly decisive and risk being wrong than to agonize at length and be right too late.” – Marilyn Moats Kennedy, editor for Glamour magazine
107. “Strategic thinking rarely occurs spontaneously.” – Michael Watkins, Author
108. “The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.” – Maimonides, Jewish philosopher
109. “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra, Baseball catcher
110. “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing.” – Theodore Roosevelt, Former US president
11. Customer Experience & Service Excellence Quotes
In business, trust is earned one interaction at a time. Adopting a customer-centric company philosophy is a smart strategy. Excellent service delivery, authentic care and a focus on user needs fuel loyalty and growth.
These motivational quotes in English are for those who believe that lasting success starts with delivering value and delight at every touchpoint.
111. “Make a customer, not a sale.” – Katherine Barchetti, Retailer
112. “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates, American businessman and philanthropist
113. “Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong.” – Donald Porter, American stage, film and television actor
114. “The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.” – Sam Walton, American business magnate
115. “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa, Saint and social worker
116. “People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou, American memoirist and poet
117. “In the world of Internet Customer Service, it’s important to remember your competitor is only one mouse click away.” – Doug Warner, Banker
118. “Customer experience is the next competitive battleground.” – Jerry Gregoire, founder and Chairman of Redbird Flight
119. “You’ll never have a product or price advantage again. They can be easily duplicated, but a strong customer service culture can’t be copied.” – Jerry Fritz, Director of Management Institute University of Wisconsin
120. “Every contact we have with a customer influences whether or not they’ll come back. We have to be great every time or we’ll lose them.” – Kevin Stirtz, Author
Whether you saved this list for your own inspiration or bookmarked it for a rainy day, we hope these business quotes in English stirred something powerful in you.
Our top 120 Inspirational Business Quotes for Professionals isn’t just a list; it’s advice from great leaders who’ve accomplished what you’ve set out to do.
So the next time you’re looking for motivational quotes for success, prepping a deck, running a team meeting or just trying to push through a slump — return to these lines. Let them lift your spirits. Let them guide you. Let them move you.
And remember, action is where the real inspiration begins!
Business Quotes FAQs
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF READING INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESS QUOTES IN ENGLISH?
Inspirational business quotes offer motivation, clarity and perspective during professional challenges. They distill the wisdom of successful entrepreneurs, leaders and thinkers, helping readers stay focused, positive and driven in their careers or businesses.
HOW CAN I USE BUSINESS QUOTES IN MY DAILY ROUTINE?
You can integrate quotes into your day by using them in journal prompts, team meetings, email signatures or vision boards. Many professionals also use them as daily affirmations to set intentions or to motivate their teams.
WHO ARE THE MOST QUOTED BUSINESS LEADERS OF ALL TIME?
Some of the most quoted business figures include Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, Richard Branson and Oprah Winfrey. Their insights into leadership, risk-taking and innovation have made their words timeless and widely shared.
WHAT IS A CEO QUOTE?
A CEO quote is a statement or advice expressed by a Chief Executive Officer that often reflects leadership philosophy, strategic thinking or insights on business success. These quotes are widely shared because they encapsulate the experience and mindset of high-level business leaders. For example, Satya Nadella’s quote, “Our industry does not respect tradition – it only respects innovation,” highlights the CEO’s focus on continuous improvement and forward-thinking.
WHAT IS A BOSS MINDSET?
A boss mindset refers to the attitude, approach and thought patterns of someone who leads with vision, confidence and accountability. It includes qualities like decisiveness, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and the ability to inspire and empower others. Someone with a boss mindset sees challenges as opportunities, takes ownership of outcomes and motivates teams to achieve collective goals.
