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30 Behind Every Successful Woman Quotes

These “behind every successful woman” quotes will inspire you and remind you of your great possibilities ahead! You are strong, inspirational, and powerful with these quotes.

You have probably heard the “behind every successful man quotes” at least once in your life. But what’s behind every successful woman?

And, why don’t we talk about what’s behind every successful woman more? We should start!

Whether you want to start the conversation, give yourself a pep talk, strike some confidence, or caption your next social media post, these “behind every successful woman” quotes will do the trick.

It can take a long time for a young girl to see her own success. Pair these successful woman quotes with confident boss babe quotes to really get yourself feeling 100!

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30 Behind Every Successful Woman Quotes

“Behind every successful woman, is HERSELF!” – Anonymous

You don’t need a strong man to be a strong woman!

“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.” – Anonymous

Inspirational quotes like this remind us how important our support network is.

“Behind every successful woman is a man who tried to stop her.” – Anonymous

This was actually graffiti on the wall of a women’s bathroom at the George Tavern in East London, according to Viv Albertine in her book “Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.” Some inspiration for you while you visit the loo!

“Behind every successful woman is a past. Most likely a difficult past she had to walk through and trudge through and claw through inch by inch and ugly day by ugly day. A past that knocked her down but didn’t keep her down. A past that broke her down, but also allowed her to break though. A past that caused her tears but didn’t tear her apart.” – Joy C Ortiz

We love this quote because it is a reminder that that difficult times we’ve gone through have led us to where we are now.

“Behind every successful woman is a list of failures. Probably a fairly long list of moments she fell flat on her face and had to face the music that she had come up short.” –Joy C Ortiz

A reminder that every successful woman has failed a million times.

“Behind every successful woman is a voice. A series of voices from her past, from her present, and from her own mind telling her she’s not the one and she probably shouldn’t even bother. She’ll never make it. She’ll never be enough.” – Joy C Ortiz

If you struggle with feeling like you are enough, you are not alone.

“Behind every successful woman are eyes. Eyes watching her every move, to see if she makes it to the top, or hits every rock as she falls and flails and flops on her way down to the dirt at the very bottom. Eyes set on copying her and criticizing her and bringing her down to their level.” – Joy C Ortiz

When you are successful, for better or for worse, people watch your every move.

“Behind every successful woman is the woman she used to be. The one who was scared, and worried. The one who cared what everyone thought and tried over and over again to please the masses. The one who cried alone in the dark. The one who wanted to bury her head in the sand.” – Joy C Ortiz

As we develop into our new and true selves, we leave past versions of us behind.

“Behind every successful woman is a fire. And a dream. And determination. And passion. And a will. And the desire to see this thing through until the very end. Giving up may cross her mind, but she will not let it take up residence in her heart.” – Joy C Ortiz

Giving up may be on your mind, but it is not an option.

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”Marie Curie

Being confident is a skill that takes time to learn, but it is worthwile.

“In order to be successful as a woman, teach your daughter to never apologize for her success. Men never have to apologize for it, why should the women who earned it? – “Raising A Strong Daughter: What Fathers Should Know” by Finlay Gow JD and Kailin Gow MA”

Teach your daughter to never apologize for the success she achieves – that’s what’s behind a successful women.

Knowing this important fact from when you’re being young and having your parents re-iterate it to you throughout your life.

“The key ingredient to being successful is YOU. She encouraged herself, she believed in herself, she loved herself, and she NEVER doubted who she was. Her ambition, perseverance, resilience, and self-motivation were consistent. She was her own personal cheerleader every step of the way… She is me!” – Stephanie Lahart

When it comes down to you, YOU are the main one driving your own success. Don’t forget that or take it lightly.

“Surround yourself with a trusted and loyal team. It makes all the difference.” – Alison Pincus

Take a look at who is around you. Do they have the same goals as you? Do they truly want the best for you? If you answered no to either of these, re-evaluate who you surround yourself with.

“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” – Madeleine Albright

Be a cheerleader!! There is room for all women to be successful.

“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” – Anonymous

Again, you have the power of your own success in your hands.

“I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.” – Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is a mom of two daughters, and this is from her perspective, which makes this quote even more powerful. It’s shows the power that behind every successful woman is someone who believes in her and empowers her, from a young age.

“I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values. and follow my own moral compass, then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own.” – Michelle Obama

“Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.” — Margaret Thatcher

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” — Diane Mariechild

“I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naïve or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.” — Anaïs Nin

Yeah, behind a successful man is a woman, but behind a successful woman is also a man. Choosing a partner that believes in you and supports your dreams will help lead you to success.

“What’s important for my daughter to know is that…if you are fortunate to have opportunity, it is your duty to make sure other people have those opportunities as well.” – Kamala Harris

Again, from another mother of a daughter, it is a duty as a mom to instill this in your child. It can make a very big difference if you do or you don’t. And never forget the famous quote by Kamala Harris: “I’m speaking.”

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel, fashion designer

“I’ve never thought of myself as a female engineer, or founder, or a woman in tech. I just think of myself as someone who’s passionate.” – Leah Busque, CEO of TaskRabbit

“You get what you give. What you put into things is what you get out of them.” – Jennifer Lopez

If you put in the work to get to success, you will reach it. You are the driving force behind becoming a successful woman.

“You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” – Serena Williams

Never stop believing in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, why would someone else? Confidence is key becoming a successful woman.

“You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.” – Diane von Furstenberg

Again, it really is all in your hands. Your happiness and successful all relies on you!

“You can be the lead in your own life.” – Kerry Washington

“All the people who knock me down only inspire me to do better.” – Selena Gomez

Another thing that’s behind a successful woman? Your past experiences, even the bad ones, including anyone who tried to keep you from reaching that success.

“The woman who doesn’t require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.” – Mohadesa Najumi

The only person you need validation from is yourself—no one else. If you wait for other people’s validations, you will never get there.

“There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success…but if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going…you’ll know that it was you and the people who love you that put you there.” – Taylor Swift

“Focus on the work” may be the biggest part of this quote from TayTay to remind us that the key for becoming a successful woman – putting in the work.

We hope these quotes resonate with you as empowering messages to push you forward. Remember, you are a great woman of high quality and success!

About the Author

Michelle Ioannou

Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.