50 Wise Quotes From Female Founders
Here at Ride the Sail Marketing, we’re often inspired by the words of other famous marketers and business leaders. But lately, as I’ve been scouring the internet for wise words, most of the lists I find are made up of the same 50 white men, with just one or two quotes from women thrown in here and there.
I was honestly becoming incredibly frustrated. There are so many amazing women who are successful in business and in life, including our very own founder, Marikaye, who is living out her dream with Ride the Sail Marketing!
Rather than stew in my disappointment, I set out on a mission to bring you some much-needed wisdom from women in business!
I searched through dozens of lists of awesome women in business and female founders to find ladies who are killing it in their industries. I compiled quotes from women who are new entrepreneurs, quotes from women who have founded multiple businesses, and even quotes from women who are household names.
Here are 50 quotes from women who are founders of companies big and small and who inspire women to greatness every day:

Aba Schubert, Dorae




“You have to learn to let the little things go, pick a few things to really focus on, and always make sure you have good harmony in your life to give yourself the breaks you deserve.” Ally Davidson, Camp Gladiator

“I think a lot of people glamorise entrepreneurship. It’s certainly the most intense school you can go to. But it’s very very hard, and a big amana; especially when you’re growing a team and have people on the payroll. You have to make sure you’re leading the ship the right way.” Amany Killawi, LaunchGood

“The most important traits of a leader are boldness, sticktoitiveness and empathy. It’s only with a big sense of mission, combined with a dedication to never give up and an understanding that you’re only as good as those around you that a leader can truly succeed.” Anda Gansca, Knotch

“You should build the right processes, or build security into your products early as opposed to bolting something on at the end.” Anita Finnegan, Nova Leah



“When people see that you’re after excellence, that’s when they want to follow, ultimately. It’s not about what you say, it’s about what you do.” Anu Bhardwaj, Women Investing in Women Digital

“We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post


“Don’t look at your business as your baby. Sure, it’s your baby and I get that, but it is a business and it is meant to transact, that’s what businesses do. Don’t be so married to your business that you don’t think you can duplicate it again.” Beatrice Dixon, The Honey Pot Company

“I admire commitment and ownership. The people that have inspired me the most are those that have always been true to what they believe in and have never given up, no matter how many struggles they have faced, and those that have built something amazing, starting from scratch.” Benedetta Arese Lucini, Oval Money


“Be transparent about the challenges you’re facing and how you’re addressing them. You also have to be clear on priorities. You might hear about 10 different needs and you have to decide which are most important — and say ‘no’ to some. If you are transparent, people are more receptive.” Carolyn Rodz, Hello Alice

“I think the best partners can bring very different perspectives and processes versus reinforce the same ones.” Carolyn Witte, Tia


“What keeps me up at night is not growth, it’s quality.” Cindy Mi, VIPKID

“I don’t let anything stop me from achieving what I know is reasonable for the business. Female founders must support each other and lift each other up as this is not an easy path and we need each other.” Colette Courtion, Joylux


“You hear a lot about female founders and entrepreneurs and being the first of your kind. I want to take out all that fluff. I think if we take all the fluff out and focus on the core of the mission, we will be successful.” Crystal Etienne, Ruby Love

“What you have to do is bring your whole self to the job and be willing to be vulnerable.” Danielle Applestone, Daughters of Rosie


“I think a good product person understands that you’re not building for yourself, but for your customers. And I think you really become the voice of the customer. So when I think about the company, I think about how we serve the needs of our customers.” Edith Harbaugh, LaunchDarkly

“I learned to push the envelope when it comes to asking questions or making requests. And if you hear ‘that’s not possible,’ then to ask ‘what is possible,’ instead of just saying thank you and leaving. But also to think creatively about problem-solving.” Emily Weiss, Glossier

“We look for people that are self-motivated, quick learners and have a good attitude – when a company is so young, every team member has to be able to wear multiple hats, problem solve on-the-go and have a laugh along the way.” Georgina Gooley, Billie

“I see a lot of women who are scared to ask for what they want in business. I’m always telling women who work with me or who are my mentees to believe in themselves and their products and to directly ask for business. We are allowed to engage, we are allowed to speak highly of ourselves, we are allowed to believe we are the best, we are allowed to believe that we provide the best service or product. If you don’t have the confidence for that on day one, there’s nothing wrong with a little fake it ’til you make it.” Hadley Douglas, The Urban Grape


“Starting a new business is one of the hardest things you can do. It’s hard to create, it’s hard to finance, it’s hard to convince others to come for the ride, be your first customers and supporters, and it’s hard to have everyone watching you while you’re doing it. It’s even harder when you’re not what people expect a founder and CEO to look like.” Ilana Ben-Ari, Twenty One Toys


“Being a founder can be isolating. Few people can relate to the challenges of building something from scratch or the feeling of getting rejected day after day. Because of this, it’s even more important to have a strong circle that is there for support, to pick you up when you’ve been knocked down and give you real talk when you need it. ” Isa Watson, Squad

“Be driven by the fact that you can pave the way for others and that your success will open up more doors and shatter preconceived notions.” Jasmine Crowe, Goodr

“Business leaders have a moral responsibility to positively impact the communities that they’re a part of and the people who have brought their companies to where they are.” Jennifer Hyman, Rent the Runway

“The journey of entrepreneurship really begins when you are willing to break from the pack.” Jessica Ewing, Literati

“This will take a really long time and you will suffer a lot along the way, so stop being anxious and try to have some fun.” Jessica Mah, inDinero

“Our soul’s purpose doesn’t just involve listening to what our heart is telling us or dreaming about what we would do if money were no object; it must be matched with the confidence and the comfort that you’ve got what it takes to pull it off.” Jill Angelo, Gennev



“Employees will support your mission, and be so much more effective at their jobs if they know why they’re compensated the way they are.” Karen Cahn, iFundWomen

“I believe that all great companies are built on great brands. When brand experiences are undeniably compelling, and undeniably well-designed, they become central to a company’s value.” Katie Witkop, Faire

“In business, crises are the ultimate equalizer and level the playing field in industries. Large companies need and want to adapt but struggle to do so quickly. This creates a strategic opportunity for startups — we are nimble and uniquely equipped for innovation.” Kayla Rodriguez Graff, Sweetbio

“I really believe that entrepreneurship is about being able to face failure, manage failure and succeed after failing.” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon

“I’m looking for people who aren’t just looking for a job. I’m looking for people that really care about the mission.” Lisa Falzone, Athena Security

“Life is a series of many steps forward and a few steps back. It’s up to you to decide whether adversity causes you to retreat, or makes you into a stronger leader.” Lisa Skeete Tatum, Landit

“Don’t search for opportunities — instead learn, observe and dare to ask the first simple question.” Maha Achour, Metawave

“If you’re constantly striving for the next thing, I promise you, and we have felt this firsthand, when you get there, you won’t appreciate it. You will be striving for the next thing.” Marah Lidey, Shine

“Have courage. An idea rarely works on its first try.” Mariam Naficy, Minted

“I feel as women we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and always put the needs of others first like our family, our friends and even our co-workers. I believe we should learn to fill our cup first and take the time, despite the daily pressures, to do what makes us truly happy.” Mariya Nurislamova, Scentbird