Every great entrepreneur needs a little inspiration every once in a while. 
Whether you're just starting off on your entrepreneurial journey or you're the proud owner of three successful startups, every entrepreneur needs a little inspiration now and then to help push them toward their business goals. And who better to provide that inspiration then proven business successes like Richard Branson or Oprah Winfrey?
As entrepreneurs, the best way to learn and grow is to seek advice and knowledge from the very people you look up to. So, here are five quotes from highly successful people that will make you a better entrepreneur:

1. "If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it."

No truer words have ever been said. In fact, if it weren't for this very truth, said by business magnate Elon Musk, then we wouldn't have experienced the monumental movements brought on by people like Rosa Parks or Mahatma Gandhi.
If a business idea, mission, or product is important enough, don't let the probability of failure stand in your way. As another great entrepreneur, Facebook co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, said, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that's changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks."   
Don't be so quick to dismiss something just because the odds are against you. After all, great things come from great risks -- especially as an entrepreneur.

2. "The best way of learning about anything is by doing."  

Take it from business mogul, investor, and philanthropist Richard Branson -- sometimes the best way to learn is to just get your feet wet. This is especially true for people looking to start their own business. For first-time entrepreneurs, there's a lot you won't know, from how to design a website or mobile app to successfully marketing and promoting yourself and your business. But the only way to learn is by doing.
Dive in headfirst, and learn everything you can about everything and anything that will help propel your business forward. A truly successful entrepreneur realizes there's always room to learn, grow, and improve.

3. "When you cease to dream, you cease to live."

I couldn't have said these words by Malcolm Forbes better myself. As an entrepreneur, when you stop dreaming, you stop living. You hit a standstill; a fruitful one, but a standstill nonetheless.
Even after all your dreams of building a successful brand and business come true, don't stop dreaming of what's next. 
Always look for ways to improve and innovate. After all, at the root of every entrepreneurial success is a dream.  

4. "I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."

As the late and great Steve Jobs said, perseverance is what separates successful entrepreneurs from the unsuccessful ones. If there's one piece of advice I could give every first-time entrepreneur, it would be to get used to hearing "no" and making mistakes and, most importantly, to move forward despite those failures.
Not everyone is going to be receptive to your latest idea or venture. Key stakeholders will be hesitant to invest. But never let that discourage you, and continue to persevere until you finally receive the "yes" you've been waiting for.   

5. "Surround yourself with one people who are going to lift you higher."

No piece on quotes from successful businesspeople would be complete without a quote from the beloved Oprah Winfrey. And what better way to round up this piece than to remind you to surround yourself with people who are going to bring you and your business up, not down.
The key to any successful business venture is to partner and work with people who share your same mission and vision; people who will inspire and encourage you on your entrepreneurial journey. 
If there's one thing these people all have in common -- other than being wildly successful -- it's their ability to inspire. And every great entrepreneur needs a little inspiration every once in a while.
Which of these quotes resonates with you the most? Share in the comments below!