Starting a Business? Get Inspired by These 7 Entrepreneurial Legends

Most top entrepreneurs start out very much like us. Before becoming wildly successful, each one has an idea and wants to find a market for the idea. Later, many of these entrepreneurs can see themselves in struggling startups, which is why so many of them offer advice and assistance to new entrepreneurs just starting out.

The following inspirational quotes come from seven top entrepreneurs who built extremely successful enterprises. Consider their advice as you start and build your own legendary business:

“Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.” -Steve Jobs (Apple)

Creativity is often stifled by arbitrary barriers. When we allow that barriers that others may have run into to dictate our creative outlet, we will never achieve anything. Scientists who saw beyond the doctrine that the earth is flat traversed that boundary. Boundaries are for people who cannot think outside the box and do not want to think outside of the box.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't-you're right.” -Henry Ford (Ford Motor Company)

Much of what you do and achieve is drawn from your self-image. If you have confidence, you will be able to talk to strangers and start relationships. Confidence give you the ability to look potential employers in the eye during job interviews and let them know who you are and what you stand for. If you have confidence in yourself, you will apply yourself knowing that your work will yield results.

“If you just work on stuff that you like and you're passionate about, you don't have to have a master plan with how things will play out.” -Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)

Life is about pursuing your passions. If you are thinking about an industry that you are passionate about, then you should pursue it. You will be successful precisely because you are doing something that you love. You will have drive and motivation because you will enjoy the workday.

“There's only one good, legitimate reason to start a company, and I think you know what it is: it's to change the world.” -Phil Libin (Evernote)

What impact are you trying to make? Phil Libin suggests that every company and every industry needs to be driven by the desire to change the course of history, to usher in a greater age for our children to inhabit. If your company is contributing to that effort, then go for it.

“The secret to successful hiring is this: look for the people who want to change the world.” -Marc Benioff (Salesforce.com)

Employees who just want to make a few dollars and go home are easy to find. But an entrepreneur should be driven to find employees who love the world as much as they do and want to contribute to the progress of humanity.

“Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.” -Richard Branson (Virgin Group)

It is easy to build upon a foundation of success; it is more difficult and requires a lot of humility and introspection to build upon failures. But that is what motivated Richard Branson to press on, even when the way forward was unclear.

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” -Bill Gates (Microsoft)

Dissatisfied customers might be unpleasant, but after the emotional storm passes, you can do some serious reflection on your company and move forward. You can move forward knowing where you have fallen short and make adjustments because somebody has plainly (and aggressively) told you what's wrong. A dissatisfied customer is an opportunity for self-reflection.

It is interesting to consider that these business leaders went through the same trials that many entrepreneurs do: they struggled with failure, defeat, not knowing which direction to go, and having everyone in their life telling them to quit.

The post Starting a Business? Get Inspired by These 7 Entrepreneurial Legends appeared first on AllBusiness.com

The post Starting a Business? Get Inspired by These 7 Entrepreneurial Legends appeared first on AllBusiness.com.