Quotes about change and growth in business

You want to find a motto for your company. You need the very best advice that comes from the minds of some of the most impactful people in business.

Whether you’re starting, leading, or taking tentative steps to grow and evolve your business, these are the business quotes to keep for your times of need.

Take heart in the knowledge that business isn’t flawless, and the journey to success is often long and winding – most overnight successes took a lot of trial and error to get where they are today.

Sometimes you just need a little reassurance. Have a read through some of the best inspirational business quotes from world-renowned leaders like Steve Jobs, Henry Ford, and Bill Gates, and build a firm foundation for a good business.

  • Business quotes about starting a business
  • Business quotes for running a business
  • Business quotes for self-development
  • Business quotes for scaling a business and risk-taking
  • Business quotes to inspire

Business quotes about starting a business

Most successful entrepreneurs weren’t sitting around waiting for things to happen. These business quotes encapsulate what it takes to start building a business absolutely devoted to success. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

1. “Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.”
Madam C.J. Walker, first female self-made millionaire

Kickstart your project with business quotes like these ones. 

Madam C.J. Walker knows a thing or two about making things happen. She’s recorded as the first female self-made millionaire after founding her business in 1905. 

If you know you have something to give to the world – even if you just think that you do – get to work. Chances are that nobody else is going to hand you exactly what you want.

Quotes about change and growth in business

2. “If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs.”
Dhirubhai Ambani, entrepreneur

If you know that you have what it takes to launch a successful business, helping somebody else launch theirs is an incredibly generous move.

But it isn’t going to help you realize your own ambitions. This is one of those inspirational business quotes that make you question your priorities.

Quotes about change and growth in business

3. “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” 
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook

This is one of those business quotes that comes from a wider campaign to encourage young female graduates to push as hard as their peers to get to the top.

It’s a great message for anyone who is second-guessing whether they have what it takes to succeed. If fear didn’t even factor in your decisions, how much further could you get?

Quotes about change and growth in business

4. “You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.” 
Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc.

Any list of inspirational business quotes isn’t complete without a contribution from Steve Jobs.

Passion is a driving factor you’ll hear about again and again. Success is often equated to money, but people get the most out of their business when they are focused on just their ideas.

Steve Jobs is one of the greatest innovators of the last century. Imagine what the world would be missing out on if he didn’t put passion into his work.

Quotes about change and growth in business

5. “Dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.”
Shonda Rhimes, producer

Echoing the sentiments of other business titans, Shonda Rhimes understands the importance of turning dreams into realities, and eventually success.

Business entrepreneurs could do worse than believe in inspiring quotes about dreams. We all have them, it’s just up to the individual to make them something tangible.

Quotes about change and growth in business

6. “Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career.” 
Meg Whitman, CEO of Quibi

There are plenty of business quotes that will tell you to do what you love.

How can you truly thrive if you aren’t enjoying the task at hand?

Don’t be one of those workers who watches the clock. If you have passion for what you’re doing, it will be reflected in the work itself. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

7. “Don’t worry about failure. You only have to be right once.” 
Drew Houston, co-founder and CEO of Dropbox

If you’re looking for small business quotes, take this snippet of advice from Dropbox’s co-founder.

You’ll notice that entrepreneurs behind successful businesses don’t put too much weight behind failure in their advice. 

Why? Well, it happens to everyone, so there’s no use in dwelling on it.

Quotes about change and growth in business

8. “I got lucky because I never gave up the search. Are you quitting too soon? Or are you willing to pursue luck with a vengeance too?”
Jill Konrath, sales strategist

Jill Konrath spent a whole summer searching for four-leaf clovers and found several. She pinned them all to her refrigerator. 

But her success wasn’t down to the clovers being lucky charms. It was down to her efforts, and her diligence.

It’s one of those business quotes that shows that most of the time, that thing that looks like luck is purely success.

Quotes about change and growth in business

9. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” 
Walt Disney, co-founder of The Walt Disney Company

One of those motivational business quotes that’s straight to the point. Walt Disney is a household name because he got on with what he needed to do. Take notes.

Apply this to everyday tasks and meaty projects, as well as to the task of starting a business. Think like Walt Disney and just go for it. 

Business quotes for running a business

About half of American small and medium sized businesses are likely to struggle with things like capital and time management. 

Let these business quotes inspire you run your business as effectively as possible. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

10. “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”
Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group

This is one of those inspirational quotes you should have at hand at all times if you run a business.

Richard Branson has always been passionate about motivating his team, so that they, in turn, motivate the customers.

Be generous: give your employees the tools they need to succeed. If you create an enjoyable working environment, you won’t be losing anything by investing in your people.

Quotes about change and growth in business

11. “We entrepreneurs are loners, vagabonds, troublemakers. Success is simply a matter of finding and surrounding ourselves with those open-minded and clever souls who can take our insanity and put it to good use.”
Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

You can’t do everything yourself. And if you try, you risk burnout.

Successful entrepreneurs are those who are able to identify their weaknesses and address that by hiring specialists.

Do what’s right for your business now and you’ll be taking care of its future.

Quotes about change and growth in business

12. “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” 
Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company

These kinds of business quotes are great reminders to not let things slip. 

You’ll want to focus on surprising and delighting your customers. Having a top-rated product is what your business is built for, and what will motivate you to succeed.

But take pride in those smaller, inconsequential things, too. Strive for quality in all aspects of your business – not just the noticeable moments – and it’ll say everything about your values.

Quotes about change and growth in business

13. “Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.”
Michelle Obama, lawyer and former first lady of the United States

Fear and business: two things which shouldn’t mix.

You can’t always control what happens, but what you can control is your response. When things go wrong, or when life throws you a curveball, take some time to step back and review what it is you really want.

Business quotes like these ones remind you that decisions shouldn’t be made in haste. There’s no harm in working things out – it’s often for the best.

Quotes about change and growth in business

14. “It’s important that leaders are consistent. You can change your mind, but change your mind against a consistent framework.”
Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo.

People are looking to you to guide them.

Your overall objective should always remain in clear sight. Write it down, paint it on a wall, or repeat it to yourself every morning. Whatever works.

Create a blueprint for your success by working to a set of principles. Make sure that while your business evolves, you are a source of consistency.

Quotes about change and growth in business

15. “Too many companies believe people are interchangeable. Truly gifted people never are. They have unique talents. Such people cannot be forced into roles they are not suited for, nor should they be. Effective leaders allow great people to do the work they were born to do.”
Warren G. Bennis, scholar

We love these kinds of tough love business quotes.

You won’t be losing anything by surrounding yourself with talented people. 

You’re talented. It’s why you decided to strike out on your own. So why waste time by finding and not nurturing the talent you need for your business?

Business quotes for self-development

Like most people, dream about the best version of yourself. 

These business quotes are the nudge that you need on days when self-development feels redundant. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

16. “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there.”
Venus Williams, tennis player

Don’t lose momentum once your business is up and running.

Keep the faith when it comes to your objectives. You had enough hunger to start something, so why stop when the going gets tough?

Like every successful person, you should remind yourself that even if nobody else seems to understand what you’re trying to achieve, you do.

Quotes about change and growth in business

17. “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” 
Eleanor Roosevelt, diplomat, activist and former first lady of the United States

These kinds of business quotes prompt you to sometimes be strict with yourself, as well as with others.

But you’re going to get the absolute best out of others if you treat them with fairness and trust.

You’ve hired them for a reason. If you want to succeed, you need the people around you to help make it happen. So be fair, always.

Quotes about change and growth in business

18. “Dedicate yourself to a core set of values. Without them, you will never be able to find personal fulfillment, and you will never be able to lead effectively.” 
Kenneth Chenault, former CEO of American Express

Consistency is key when you are a business leader. 

When you are setting out for success, note down the values you find important.

Business quotes like these ones remind you to think about how you would want to be led, and pass that forward to your team.

Business quotes for scaling a business and risk-taking

Growth isn’t easy, and most businesses only taste a fraction of the growth they could achieve. 

Let these business quotes keep your head cool when it comes to making big decisions. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

19. “Take risks. Failure is a stepping stone to success.” 
Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post

Overcoming failure is a success in itself.

As you take your business to the next level, you’ll need to take risks to make gains. And you can’t do it perfectly every time.

Accept that failures are part of your journey, and keep your head up.

Quotes about change and growth in business

20. “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” 
Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company

As inspirational business quotes go, this one by Henry Ford hits hard.

Remember what you would do if you weren’t afraid – you’re on track for success. Don’t get complacent once your business is up and running.

It usually pays to change what it is you’re doing every now and then. That doesn’t mean your business needs to start from scratch.

Work hard like Henry Ford and stay open to adapting and evolving. It could take your business to the next level.

Quotes about change and growth in business

21. “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”  
Bill Gates, co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation

Sadly, there isn’t much else you can learn from glowing feedback, something Bill Gates realized early on.

Take notice of your most unhappy customers, as Bill Gates has done. You have an opportunity to see your product from a completely fresh point of view, and you have been given the tools to improve it. 

Don’t underestimate the power of customer feedback. Without them, your success would still be a dream.

Quotes about change and growth in business

22. “If you want to grow you have to do something different from the majority of people.” 
Lakshmi Mittal, CEO of ArcelorMittal

Emulating the format of other successful businesses will only get you so far. 

Success is all about originality, and in business it’s about providing people with something that they need. 

Take that risk of carving out your own path. It will help you grow alongside your business.

Quotes about change and growth in business

23. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” 
John D. Rockefeller

This is one of those business quotes that could be applied to starting as well as running and leading a business.

If you are pursuing success, try not to get too comfortable with where you are at that moment. 

Remind yourself that lessons come from failure. If you strike out in the search for excellence, you’re only going to learn more and achieve more.

Quotes about change and growth in business

24. “The road to success is always under construction.” 
Lily Tomlin, actress and comedian

If the road to success was smooth and clear, everyone would be able to sit back and relax. And then, well… nobody would have dreams anymore. 

Nothing that’s worth doing is ever easy, usually. As you hit that first bump in the road, you’ll learn how to avoid the next.

Don’t lose heart as your business grows and evolves. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

25. “If you push through that feeling of being scared, that feeling of taking risk, really amazing things can happen.”
Marissa Mayer, businesswoman and investor

Notice the level of success of people who are on the other side of risk.

Stepping into the unknown is inevitably going to be scary if you have a business that you value. 

You’re walking into a looming gray cloud of uncertainty.

But think about how many opportunities can come from taking your business through to that next level. The sky will be clear and you can grow exponentially.

Quotes about change and growth in business

26. “If you don’t like something, change it.  If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” 
Maya Angelou, author

Sometimes, what you need out of these inspirational quotes is a reality check.

Are you closing yourself off to progress? It can be easy to change your mind, or your product, or even your team.

It’s tough to change the way that you think. Try to work hard at shifting your mindset when something doesn’t feel right. Take a step back and ask yourself if what you’re holding onto is best for your business.

Quotes about change and growth in business

27. “In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.” 
Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

It’s almost always impossible to tell the future. 

You’ll always have the past, however. Be conscious of what has happened before you have reached the point you’re at now.

This is your greatest opportunity for learning. Pay attention to what you have discovered along the way, and it’ll pave the path to what’s ahead.

Business quotes to inspire

These are our favorite inspirational business quotes to uplift and motivate you on a rainy day. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

28. “Longevity is a fleeting moment that lasts forever.” 
Vidal Sassoon, world-famous hairdresser

You could achieve one great, meaningful thing in life. 

You might put years of hard work into it. It could come to you by chance. As long as you have the tools to make it last, you will be creating your legacy in that fleeting moment.

Vidal Sassoon rose up from extreme poverty to become one of the most famous hairdressers in the world.

His signature style – an angular bob cut – was a trend in the 60s that left its mark forever. Sassoon believed in sharing knowledge with his team, and they carried that forward to the present day.

Quotes about change and growth in business

29. “When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” 
Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, producer, and philanthropist

Always have faith in your ideas. If you want to achieve something that is a force for good, there is no reason why you can’t do that.

There’s no point in waiting for someone else to find you, and ask you if you want to take your genius, secret vision and make it into something.

Oprah Winfrey still uses her platform to help others overcome adversity. Growing up in poverty and paving her own path in life, Winfrey knows that everyone should be aware of their own greatness.

Quotes about change and growth in business

30. “Days are expensive. When you spend a day you have one less day to spend. So make sure you spend each one wisely.”
Jim Rohn, entrepreneur and motivational speaker

It’s a well-known figure of speech, but if you consider days as currency, you might just use them more wisely. It’s a gentler way of saying that time is money.

Jim Rohn was a motivational speaker who used his platform to share his own philosophy on excellence. 

His lessons for life helped entrepreneurs find clarity within their social as well as their business circles. Take this advice and work out how best to spend your days.

Remember that life isn’t all about work. As Jim Rohn indicates, you will achieve more in the boardroom if you’ve had a proper weekend and a good night’s sleep.

Quotes about change and growth in business

31. “In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.” 
Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Group

This is one of those business quotes that’s almost prophetic.

Being an entrepreneur is a journey, and it is one worth taking. Set your sights high, focus on them, but take your time climbing up to reach them.

Aliko Dangote is the wealthiest person in Africa. As he makes this statement, he advises that his success most certainly did not come overnight: it took him 30 years.

Don’t rush. There is no harm in dreaming big – you could be the richest person on a continent, too. But you’ll appreciate the journey when you get there.

Quotes about change and growth in business

32. “Remain a lifelong student. Don’t lose that curiosity.” 
Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo.

Even the most seasoned business pros are learning every day. Stay open to it, and it could help evolve your mindset for the better.

Indra Nooyi is one of the most successful women in the world. The former CEO of PepsiCo., she grew up in India dreaming about what she could achieve in life.

Sharing her blueprint for success, Nooyi urged others to keep curiosity as one of their five guiding principles.

Quotes about change and growth in business

33. “I never dreamed about success, I worked for it.” 
Estée Lauder, co-founder of Estée Lauder Companies

True, you can have your dreams. But you need to put them into action if you want to see success. Hard work with clear objectives will get you there faster.

Estee Lauder found the key to her success early on in life while working at her uncle’s laboratory. She was fascinated by the products he concocted and set about making her own and selling them on.

For Lauder, success was about learning and sharing. Her friends bought the first samples of her face creams, and as word spread, her customer network grew. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

34. “It always seems impossible, until it is done.” 
Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa

Use this wisdom to get you started in business, or propel you forward when you hit a tough project further down the line.

Nelson Mandela stood for his beliefs throughout his life even when they landed him in prison. Despite not everyone agreeing with all of his actions or ideas, he was doggedly determined to achieve an end to apartheid.

The impact Mandela made is everlasting, so take his sentiment and run with it.

Quotes about change and growth in business

35. “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
Zig Ziglar, author and motivational speaker

If you wait to know everything, you’re never going to get anywhere. Successful people are not born total experts, and they’re rarely total experts when they start their businesses, either.

Be sure to surround yourself with talented people who can do the things you can’t. You’ll learn from them and your business will thrive because of them.

Look up some more of his powerful, sometimes funny business quotes to perk yourself up.

Quotes about change and growth in business

36. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” 
Thomas Edison, inventor

Failure is often said to be the key to success, but try reframing it as “ways that won’t work.” This could do wonders for your productivity.

It’s a much lighter way of looking at things. Rather than telling yourself you’ve failed, you’re looking at your attempts as an experiment. It’s almost inevitable that some ways won’t work.

Keep reviewing, changing, and evolving what you do. Don’t let failure stop you in your tracks – because Thomas Edison didn’t, either. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

37. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” 
Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player

Hate to break it to you, but there’s no such thing as just good luck – there’s only hard work and good sense in both life and in business. 

Jordan knows this first-hand: yesterday’s home runs don’t necessarily mean the team will win today’s games. 

If you have only one worry, and it’s being afraid of failing, you’re going to be only remembered among the non-successful ones. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

38. “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” 
Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II

This one by Winston Churchill is probably one of our all-time favorite best business quotes because it’s at the same time both true and eye-opening. 

Staying in your comfort zone isn’t how you or your business grows and scales. 

Instead, by seeing opportunities as stepping stones to something bigger, you’ll create a self-fulfilling prophecy of constantly aiming high and reaching for bigger things. 

It goes without saying that success achieved this way also tastes all the sweeter. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

39. “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.” 
Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

Many have listened respectfully to Albert Einstein, and as the guy who basically came up with gravity, it’s no wonder he’s frequently featured in the best business quotes. 

You should always strive for providing your customers with better value than your competition. 

The better your product solves a problem, the better are your chances of success. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

40.  “You don’t need to have a 100-person company to develop that idea.” 
Larry Page, co-founder of Google

Larry Page, a prolific American business person, and a business owner, knows a thing or two about making ideas happen. 

Most remarkable ideas don’t require fancy offices with sea views. It’s actually the exact opposite: you can come up with the next generation business idea from the comfort of your own couch. 

A successful man makes sure his idea is watertight before spending money on extras. Otherwise, you’ll only set yourself up for poor business. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

41. “The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” 
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States

Take it from President Obama – life’s failures are the best, and sometimes only place to learn from. You don’t need to be a business owner to keep moving forward with your dreams and aspirations. 

Business quotes like Obama’s are all about resilience and humility.

Obama’s ambition inspired people around the globe, but becoming president of one of the world’s biggest economies can’t have been easy. 

When life offers lemons and things go wrong, the only way to keep on the right track is to reflect and learn from your mistakes. 

Quotes about change and growth in business

42.  “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”
Henry David Thoreau, philosopher

Business quotes like this one really make you think, don’t they? 

Unsuccessful people are usually the ones who place too much emphasis on the status quo. 

When it comes to business, listen to Henry David Thoreau: things usually don’t happen overnight – instead, to find success takes a lot of time, effort, and courage. 

Don’t focus on the wrong thing: be open to new ideas, keep busy and you’re moving forward in the right direction. 

What is a famous quote about change?

"If you can't change it, change your attitude." "Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." “Change is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong.” "Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

How do businesses grow quotes?

Quotes about business growth and change.
“Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.” – Sigmund Freud, neurologist..
“Motivation is the catalyzing ingredient for every successful innovation.” – Clayton Christensen, economist and Harvard professor..
“Every problem is a gift — without problems we would not grow.” –.

What is the best quote for business?

Business quotes for scaling a business and risk-taking.
“Take risks. ... .
“If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.”.
“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”.
“If you want to grow you have to do something different from the majority of people.”.

What is a good quote about growth?

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle. Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death. Growth is the only evidence of life.