10 inspiring quotes on entrepreneurship, for and by entrepreneurs in Asia

Have you ever sat through a lecture in your schooling days, and found that you were only able to recall just a line or two of what went on? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could just skip all the other things and get to the good parts?

Or, as popular Singaporean radio station Gold 90.5FM used to say frequently, “hear only the good stuff”:

Good news – that’s exactly how inspiring quotes work. By condensing the finest pieces of advice into nuggets of wisdom, they are like drugs for the mind, providing young Padawans of any trade and craft with the boost they need. And it wouldn’t be too far off base to argue that entrepreneurs in particular need – and indeed, crave – such inspiration the most.

Is it any wonder that almost any entrepreneur in the world has heard of Steve Jobs, and more importantly, his famous call in 2005 exhorting Stanford graduates to “stay hungry, stay foolish”? Such quotes about entrepreneurship stick with founders and makers, bringing them through the roughest and toughest times.

But rather than refer to heroes from far flung countries in another part of the world, it’s far more comforting and relatable to hear it from sources nearer to home. That’s why we have gathered 10 inspiring quotes on entrepreneurship, for and by entrepreneurs in Asia.

1. Jack Ma, Alibaba

 In his last speech as CEO of Alibaba:

A lot of people complain about yesterday. We have no power to change yesterday. But this very day, 30 years later, is what we can control and decide. Change yourself, take baby steps, and stay determined for ten years. I thank the times of change and everyone’s complaints. Because when everyone is complaining, that is your chance, an opportunity. It’s only in times of change that someone can be clear of what he has and wants, and what he needs to give up.

2. Mark Chang, Jobstreet

His advice to once-budding Malaysian entrepreneur, Khai Yin, who is now the founder of GoodPlace.my:

3. Firdhaus Akber, Streetdirectory

4. Patrick Linden, Dealguru Holdings

5. Terry Gou, Foxconn

6. Le Hong Minh, VNG

7. Sachin and Binny Bansal, Flipkart

8. Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT

9. Masayoshi Son, Softbank

10. Yoshikazu Tanaka, GREE