16 Inspiring Quotes for Startups, Entrepreneurs, and Small Business from Robert Kiyosaki

You know him as the creator of the Rich Dad brand based on his Rich Dad Poor Dad book series. Robert Kiyosaki is also an entrepreneur, an investor, financial commentator and radio personality.

Originally from Hilo, Hawaii, Kiyosaki graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy which is an unpredictable start for an entrepreneur of his caliber.

Being a small business owner or entrepreneur isn’t always marked with success. For Kiyosaki, he endured multiple bankruptcies and a car-dwelling situation before hitting his stride by making a series of smart business ventures and getting into real estate investing. Acquisition of hard assets is a concept that he both practices and preaches. His approach to financial success and business falls a little outside the traditional path, but the result of his success has bred the same lessons for him as any other entrepreneur.

Kiyosaki is a champion of the entrepreneur and he’s liberal with advice: learn to sell, brand, and market. Considering his book series and significant media presence, it’s not hard to find his advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs, but we’ve curated some of the best nuggets here:

“If you are the kind of person who is waiting for the ‘right’ thing to happen, you might wait for a long time. It’s like waiting for all the traffic lights to be green for five miles before starting the trip.”

“Often, in the real world, it’s not the smart who get ahead but the bold.”

“The richest people in the world look for and build networks; everyone else looks for work.”

“When times are bad is when the real entrepreneurs emerge.”

“If you avoid failure, you also avoid success.”

“Critics only make you stronger. You have to look at what they are saying as feedback. Sometimes the feedback helps, and other times, it’s just noise that can be a distraction.”

“The thing most people don’t pick up when they become an entrepreneur is that it never ends. It’s 24/7.”

“You have to look for teachers. If you want to be a mechanic, go hang out with mechanics.”

“I believe that one key to success is to accept truth – no matter how it’s spoken.”

“Quitting is the easiest thing to do.”

“Inside every problem lies an opportunity.”

“Face your fears and doubts, and new worlds will open to you.”

“I wasn’t born a natural entrepreneur. I had to be trained.”

“Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to trust your team. It’s a lesson I’ve had to relearn quite a few times.”

“Success is not a stop sign.”

“Most businesses think that product is the most important thing, but without great leadership, mission and a team that deliver results at a high level, even the best product won’t make a company successful.”

—Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur, Author, Investor