5 Unbelievably Inspiring Words of Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs

The good news is that between 1997 and 2017, the number of women entrepreneurs in the U.S. surged by 114 percent, which was 2.5 times higher than the national average. But the bad news is that despite these gains, there is still plenty of road left to travel before the playing field is level, and women can succeed based on the strengths of their talents, knowledge, determination and drive — instead of face obstacles, pitfalls, and in some cases outright blatant discrimination because of their gender.

While nothing is guaranteed, we can all hope that one day — sooner, rather than later — future generations will look at the gender gap as a historical shame rather than a current reality. Until that time, here are five unbelievable inspiring words of wisdom for women entrepreneurs, as well as girls, teens, and young adults who aspire to not only elevate their wealth, but indeed, to change the world:

“On my own I will just create, and if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t, I’ll create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be.” – Oprah Winfrey

The takeaway: first and foremost, you need to believe in yourself and know that you can succeed. You must be your biggest fan vs. your worst critic.

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estee Lauder

The takeaway: Don’t get so wrapped up in your dreams that you stop working towards them. You don’t (and can’t) achieve all of your aspirations in one day, one month, or probably one year. That’s perfectly fine. Take a step today, a step tomorrow, and eventually you’ll find yourself further along the path than you ever imagined possible.

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, `I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.’” – Eleanor Roosevelt

The takeaway: Don’t be afraid of fear. Fear is part of experiencing the unknown and exiting your comfort zone. What matters is whether you address fear or run away from it. Focus on your triumphs and strengths, not your (perceived) limitations of weaknesses. 

“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.” – Maya Angelou

The takeaway: for centuries, women have been systematically molded to stay in the background, and remain passive and docile. Break free of these psychological shackles and make your mark. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself or defend what’s right. Some asses just need to be kicked!

“Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” — Michelle Obama

The takeaway: it’s perfectly fine — in fact, it’s wonderful — to aspire to increase your wealth. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But always remember that at the end of it all, when you look back on your experiences and accomplishments, what will matter most to you isn’t the number in your bank account, but the positive difference you made and the legacy you created.

The Bottom Line Carry these inspiring words of wisdom in your mind and heart as you embark or continue on your entrepreneurial journey, and reflect on them often — not just when things are going good, but especially when things are challenging and difficult. You can print this article out and keep it in next to your bed so that you read it before sleeping and first thing in the morning, or even have a custom sign or banner made by the Landmark Sign Company to hang in your office.