10 quotes from Startup Founders for Being Successful

Although the cost of creating a startup is lower than ever before, it’s still a daunting experience. These people have been extremely successful in managing a startup business, so we’ve rounded up their best quotes to help inspire you.

1. “Contrary to the stereotype, startups are a marathon, not a sprint. The truth is, you are not going to be a billion dollar company or acquired in the next 18 months. This shit takes a long time. Surround yourself with people you will want to work with for the next 5 years and beyond (e.g. co-founders, employees, advisors, board members, investors, etc). Don’t burn out. Take care of yourself by getting 8 hours of sleep, eat healthy, and exercise. If you don’t take care of yourself, there’s no way you can take care of your company in the long-term. Obviously there will occasionally be the special circumstances that will prohibit you from keeping a normal schedule (e.g. the days leading up to launch), but make those days the exceptions not the norm.” – Jared Kim, founder and CEO of Forge
2. “When I’m old and dying, I plan to look back on my life and say ‘wow, that was an adventure,’ not ‘wow, I sure felt safe.’ – Tom Preston-Werner, co-founder of Github 
3. “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs, co-founder, ex-chairman and ex-CEO of Apple
4. “I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.” – Jeff Bazos, founder and CEO of Amazon 
5. “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company
6.  “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” – Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
7.  “Don’t take too much advice. Most people who have a lot of advice to give — with a few exceptions — generalize whatever they did. Don’t over-analyze everything.  I myself have been guilty of over-thinking problems. Just build things and find out if they work.” – Ben Silberman, founder of Pinterest
8. “Learn public speaking. Of all the skills that an entrepreneur can have, I think the ability to convey an idea or opportunity, with confidence, eloquence and passion is the most universally useful skill. Whether you’re pitching a group of investors, rallying your employees, selling a customer, recruiting talent, addressing consumers, or doing a press tour, the ability to deliver a great talk is absolutely invaluable. And it is perhaps the most under-recognized and under-nurtured skill.” – Tim Westergen, founder of Pandora
9. “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft 
10. “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, founder and CEO of Facebook