“Entrepreneurs in the Sub-Saharan nations have among the highest entrepreneurship rates in the world, with women participating at equal or nearly equal rates in most of the countries we studied in this region,”...“This shows an incredible ability for people here to create their own jobs, and in many cases, jobs for others. As a result, entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa can contribute substantially toward providing income for families and lifting communities out of poverty.”

- Donna Kelley is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College in the United States. She is a board member of the Global Entrepreneurship Research Association (GERA), the oversight board of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) project and leader of the GEM U.S. team. She co-authored the 2012 African Entrepreneurship - Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Report.

"Self-doubt never disappears. Over time, you just get better at dealing with it. It will greet you every time you fall out of your comfort zone and whenever you strive to do something great. But know that it’s not something you have to fear or resent. Your doubts are only thoughts, not your future."

- Melissa Ng [Eng] is the co-founder of PianoVerse, a place to play, learn, and love music in New York. She is also the creator of inspirational blog PlayLearnLoveLife.com and motivational doodle-blog Lumecluster.com, where she helps entrepreneurs and purpose-seekers believe in their potential.

"You can be a success and have a small business that operates off cash flow. As a matter of fact, most businessses in the world fit into that category, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. You can operate a profitable hot dog stand and, guess what? You are an entrepreneur and don’t let anyone take that from you."

- Cyan Banister is the American founder and Editor-in-Chief of Zivity, a platform for models and photographers. She is a prolific angel investor along with her husband Scott Banister who is best known as a co-founder of IronPort and an early advisor and board member at PayPal.

“I just want you to be yourself. Be a bigger yourself.” 

- Tyra Banks is the founder and CEO of Bankable Productions and the Tyra Banks Company. This former Victoria's Secret model has leveraged her media profile to go on to build a sizeable entertainment and business empire. A savvy entrepreneur, she is the founder and CEO of Bankable Productions - the production company behind 20 seasons of America's Next Top Model. In addition, her investment firm, Fierce Capital (a subsidiary of the Tyra Banks Company), is funding startups.

“Discipline is not a dirty word. There is far more freedom and opportunity for creativity and success in enjoying discipline. Years ago someone I very much respect told me the reason they were successful is that they embraced doing what other people resent or are reluctant to do.” 

- Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first black woman in the United States to have founded a billion-dollar business. Her company, Act 1 Group, is an international recruitment and business management firm with revenues of $2 Billion.