Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam C. J. Walker, was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist. She was one of the first African American women to become a millionaire, invented the world’s first hair-straightening formula. Inspirational Madam C. J. Walker’s most famous quotes will change your views on life and success while encouraging you to take action.

If you’re searching for best entrepreneur quotes that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of empowering Oprah Winfrey quotes, famous business quotes, and motivational Andrew Carnegie quotes.

Most Inspirational Quotes by Madam C. J. Walker

Perseverance is my motto. – Madam C. J. Walker

I got my start by giving myself a start. – Madam C. J. Walker

I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them. – Madam C. J. Walker

Worth more than it Costs. – Madam C. J. Walker

I want the great masses of my people to take a greater pride in their personal appearance and to give their hair proper attention. – Madam C. J. Walker

I have built my own factory on my own ground! – Madam C. J. Walker

I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them. – Madam C. J. Walker

I have made it possible for many colored women to abandon the washtub for more pleasant and profitable occupation. – Madam C. J. Walker

If I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard. – Madam C. J. Walker

When we began to make $10 a day, my ex-husband thought that was enough, thought I ought to be satisfied. But I was convinced that my hair preparation would fill a long-felt want. And when we found it impossible to agree, due to his narrowness of vision, I embarked on business for myself. – Madam C. J. Walker

I want you to understand that your first duty is to humanity. I want others to look at us and see that we care not just about ourselves but about others. – Madam C. J. Walker

People are ugly not in their face but in their thoughts. So never get impressed by someone’s appearance, rather dig deep down into their thoughts to reveal the real person inside out. – Madam C. J. Walker

It’ pretty hard for the Lord to guide you if you haven’t made up your mind which way to go. – Madam C. J. Walker

Love’s language is imprecise, fits more like mittens than gloves. – Madam C. J. Walker

I am not satisfied in making money for myself. I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race. – Madam C. J. Walker

I endeavor to provide employment to hundreds of women of my race. – Madam C. J. Walker

America doesn’t respect anything but money. What our people need is a few millionaires. – Madam C. J. Walker

Having a good article for the market is one thing, putting it properly before the public is another. – Madam C. J. Walker

My object in life is not simply to make money for myself. – Madam C. J. Walker

I love to use a part of what I make to help others. – Madam C. J. Walker

There would be no hair growing business today had I not started it. – Madam C. J. Walker

I am not ashamed of my humble beginning. – Madam C. J. Walker

One night I had a dream, and in that dream a big black man appeared to me and told me what to mix up for my hair. I made up my mind I would begin to sell it. – Madam C. J. Walker

I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations. – Madam C. J. Walker

You might say that I was the first and caused others to awaken to the sense of their duty in helping deserving causes for the benefit of the race. – Madam C. J. Walker

Don’t think that because you have to go down in the washtub that you are any less a lady! – Madam C. J. Walker

Surely you are not going to shut the door in my face. I feel that I am in a business that is a credit to the womanhood of our race. – Madam C. J. Walker

I am not ashamed of my past; I am not ashamed of my humble beginning. Don’t think that because you have to go down in the washtub that you are any less a lady! – Madam C. J. Walker

Girls and women of our race must not be afraid to take hold of business endeavor and, by patient industry, close economy, determined effort, and close application to business, wring success out of a number of business opportunities that lie at their doors. – Madam C. J. Walker

Open Your Own Shop; Secure Prosperity and Freedom – Madam C. J. Walker

Keep in mind that you have something that the person standing before you really needs, imagine yourself a missionary and convert him. – Madam C. J. Walker

There is no royal flower-strewn road to success, and if there is, I have not found it, for what success I have obtained is the result of many sleepless nights and real hard work. – Madam C. J. Walker

Now I realize that in the so-called higher walks of life, many were prone to look down upon ‘hairdressers’ as they called us; they didn’t have a very high opinion of our calling, so I had to go down and dignify this work, so much so that many of the best women of our race are now engaged in this line of business, and many of them are now in my employ. – Madam C. J. Walker

I want others to look at us and see that we care not just about ourselves but about others. – Madam C. J. Walker

One can slide between poor and rich. – Madam C. J. Walker

God answered my prayer, for one night I had a dream, and in that dream a big black man appeared to me and told me what to mix up for my hair. Some of the remedy was grown in Africa, but I sent for it, mixed it, put it on my scalp, and in a few weeks my hair was coming in faster than it had ever fallen out. I tried it on my friends; it helped them. I made up my mind I would begin to sell it. – Madam C. J. Walker