Words of Advice from 6 Successful Entrepreneurs

{Photo courtesy of Seeds of Peace}

From the coolest nerd ever to the most cutting-edge fashion designer to have lived in this era, there’s an element that sets the best and the greatest apart from the pack. We selected a few of these trailblazers and here’s what they have to say in their own wisdom-filled words.

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Steve Jobs:

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”

An entrepreneur with an extremely creative mind and strong desire to be a game changer in the world, Steve Jobs is the man with the Midas touch. From the Apple Computer to Pixar, to the iPod, iPhone and iPad, they all became a smashing success. The “i” can officially stand for invention and innovation.

Alexander McQueen:

“Clothes and jewelry should be startling, individual. When you see a woman in my clothes, you want to know more about them. To me, that is what distinguishes good designers from bad designers.”

Garnering four British Designer of the Year Awards and a CFDA award, Alexander McQueen was a revolutionary designer and a master tailor who pushed the boundaries in fashion with edgy, show-stopping haute couture looks. Though his life ended early, his distinguished designs still live on.

Ivanka Trump:

“I generally wake up, exercise and read through a huge amount of newspapers. I get to the office somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00—my brothers and I are always the first ones in.”

A sharp businesswoman and fashion model, Ivanka Trump graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and doesn’t rest on her father’s laurels as an heiress. She starts the day early and gets to work as an Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at The Trump Organization. She also has several side projects under her belt (The Apprentice judge and her own jewelry line).

Warren Buffet:

“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”

”Look at market fluctuations as your friend rather than your enemy; profit from folly rather than participate in it.”

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

Legendary investor and philanthropist, Warren Buffet always makes it on the world’s wealthiest list, yet is humble, frugal and exceedingly generous. In 2010, Warren Buffet pledged to give more than 99 percent of his wealth to philanthropy during his lifetime or at death.

Martha Stewart:

“All the things I love is what my business is all about.”

“My new motto is: When you’re through changing, you’re through.”

“Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success.”

A successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, Martha Stewart is the queen of domesticity and crafts. Her brand has become a household name and she credits her success to an open mind, progress and doing what she loves.

Cathie Black:

“Play to win, rather than play not to lose.”

Former president of USA Today, Hearst Magazines (Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, O, etc) and former publisher of New York Magazine, Cathie Black was able to seize all her golden opportunities and make it to the top, going against all odds with that winner mentality. She was recognized as one of Forbe’s 100 most powerful women.

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