Hey there, it’s Ethan Sterling again—former entrepreneur, current full-time writer, and someone who’s been through enough business ups and downs to keep a chiropractor in business. Today, I’m rolling out 10 real quotes from self-made millionaires. These folks know a thing or two about grit, resilience, and staying the course when everything seems ready to fall apart.
Let’s dive in.
1. Mark Cuban
“Work like there is someone working 24 hours a day to take it away from you.”
One of the things I learned in my startup days is that the competition never sleeps—well, at least it never felt like they did. Cuban’s quote hits hard because it reminds us that while we’re taking that extra coffee break (or watching yet another cat video), there’s always someone hungry out there. It’s not meant to scare you; it’s meant to light a fire under you. Hustle like your dream depends on it—because it really does.
2. Oprah Winfrey
“You become what you believe.”
Oprah’s journey from a tough childhood to a global media empire is living proof that mindset can make or break you. If you believe you’ll fail, you probably will. If you believe you’ll succeed, you might just surprise yourself. It’s not magic, but it sets the tone for your actions. So do yourself a favor and start the day by believing, really believing, you’re on a path to something big.
3. Daymond John
“Align yourself with the right people, forge the right relationships and you’ll set yourself up for the long run.”
Entrepreneurship, for all its independence, is never a solo gig. You need co-founders, mentors, suppliers, even that friend who cheers you on. Daymond’s words remind us that real success usually involves a network of folks who push us to do better. Being selective about your connections isn’t selfish—it’s strategic.
4. Sara Blakely
“Failure is not the outcome. Failure is not trying.”
I used to be so afraid of failing that I missed tons of opportunities. Then I got into the habit of launching “minimum viable experiments,” as I called them, just to see what would happen. Nine out of ten fizzled, but that one success kept me going. Blakely’s right: the only real failure is sitting around thinking, “What if?” Take the leap. You can tweak and refine on the way down.
5. Richard Branso
“You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.”
When I started out, I tried to follow every piece of advice exactly by the book—until I realized that playing it safe doesn’t spark innovation. Branson’s quote may as well be about learning to ride a bike. You’re gonna wobble, topple, maybe even wipe out spectacularly. But as long as you pick yourself up, you’ll get better, faster, and stronger.
6. Elon Musk
“When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”
There were moments in my early days when the odds (and my bank account) said, “Nope, not happening.” But sometimes, you just know you have to try anyway. Musk’s track record—whether you love him or not—shows that vision is powerful. If you truly believe in your product or mission, you’ll keep pushing, even when it feels like a one-in-a-million shot.
7. Bill Gates
“It’s fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”
I’ll never forget the time I landed a huge contract and thought I’d hit the jackpot. I celebrated so hard that I forgot to notice some cracks in my business model. A year later, those cracks nearly sank my entire venture. Gates reminds us that success can be fleeting if you ignore the warning signs. Celebrate, but keep your eyes open for what’s next.
8. Jeff Bezos
“If you double the number of experiments you do per year, you’re going to double your inventiveness.”
My business idol used to say, “No risk, no reward.” Bezos kicks it up a notch—more experiments mean more chances to stumble upon that genius idea. Not every experiment will pay off, but every single one will teach you something. And who knows? Maybe the next one is the Amazon in your garage.
9. Steve Jobs
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
A close friend once told me, “Most people quit right before the finish line.” Jobs suggests that success can hinge on who’s willing to push through the final stretch. It’s not glamorous. There are no fireworks. It’s just you, plodding ahead when everyone else has packed up and gone home. Stick it out, and you might just be the last one standing.
10. Jack Ma
“Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine.”
Ma’s story of countless rejections (including from KFC) is legendary. Entrepreneurship is a wild ride—some days it feels like you’re carrying the whole world on your back. But remember, you only need to make it to the day after tomorrow for that sunshine. It might seem far off, but trust me, it’s worth the wait.
Final Thoughts
These quotes aren’t magic spells that guarantee millions overnight—if only! They’re insights from people who’ve slogged through challenges and emerged triumphant. Use them as fuel for your own journey. I know I do.
Until next time, keep hustling, keep experimenting, and don’t be afraid to stumble. The next leap forward could be right around the corner.
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