ENTERPRISE54 – Successful companies are built by great business leaders. Their stories remind us that although failure is inevitable, business success is a choice.

While we cannot control all business factors, what we can control is our response. The following quotes are from five influential people. Below are ways you can apply them to boost business confidence.

“Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do because then they will act.” – Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO, General Electric

As employers of labour, entrepreneurs ought to make sure that the confidence they exude resonates among their employees. People must feel confident about working for your company, and you must inspire them to give more than 100% and believe in your vision of success.

“Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – John F. Kennedy, Former US President

Yes, business success is an end product of confidence. But that, in turn, is a product of strategic planning. Effort doesn’t equal productivity. So, make sure all energies are strategically channelled to achieve business objectives.

“The key to success is for you to make a habit throughout your life of doing the things you fear.” – Brian Tracy, Career development expert

Entrepreneurs cause disruption in an economic system. They challenge status quo. Many have thought impossible what others have amassed a fortune from. Remember, nothing is impossible. Make a habit of challenging your fears.

“Wherever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.”- Peter Drucker, Management consultant and writer

Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Ashish J. Thakkar, Mark Zuckerburg…tracking the list of entrepreneurs whose courageous decision and self-confidence has led to the creation of multi-billion dollar companies is like counting the stars. Entrepreneurs are risk takers. They have confidence in their decisions. Once you take a decision, be confident to see it through. Most times, no one believes in creativity/innovation until it’s a success.

“You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.” – Dale Carnegie, Author and speaker

No guts, no glory. Challenging fears in business boosts confidence. Remember, what make you think out the business ventures, developed a business model and start out will see you through. Yes, the doubts will come, but you can oust them with the same energy and believe you tapped from to start the business. Keep your mind positive.

Editor’s note: This article was first published on the Mara Mentor blog, an Enterprise54 media partner. Mara Mentor is an online entrepreneurship community that connects budding entrepreneurs to industry experts and their peers.