It has been a while since I’ve listed some of my favourite quotes from inspiring women but I think it is important to look to those who have ‘gone before us’ so that we can be inspired and learn from their experiences, mistakes and successes.

This quote from Mary Anne Radmacher (Author) is so important, especially for those of us who sit more on the introvert end of the personality spectrum and may feel that we have to be ‘loud’ about what we do: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”. Persistence and determination are vital to achieving any success in your business.

Gail Blanke, President and CEO, of a company called Lifedesigns, said “Walt Disney told his crew to ‘build the castle first’ when constructing Disney World, knowing that vision would continue to serve as motivation throughout the project. Oftentimes when people fail to achieve what they want in life, it’s because their vision isn’t strong enough.”. I think many of us struggle with this! We have a vague idea of what we want to achieve, but without a strong vision, we are unlikely to achieve it.

As most of us are no doubt aware, any success in business does not get handed to us on a silver platter! Madam C.J. Walker (America's first female entrepreneur millionaire), put it like this: “There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.”

And a classic quote from Roseanne Barr (actress) sums up the attitude I think we all have to take in our businesses: “The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.”.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender

Last week marked a sad occasion: the passing of the legendary Maya Angelou, American author and poet. She became a poet and writer after a series of occupations as a young adult. She was an actor, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. Maya was active in the Civil Rights movement, and worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

I have always found Maya Angelou inspiring (and have quoted her a few times in this column!) because she consistently broke conventions and worked hard to rise beyond her difficult childhood and early adulthood. She became recognised and highly respected as a spokesperson for blacks and women, and provided the world with many profound and inspirational quotes.

So my tribute to Maya Angelou is to list some of her most inspiring quotes – enjoy!

• I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
• Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.
• One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.
• I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.
• I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender