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In business, and especially in entrepreneurship, the big, bad ‘F’ word is something no one wants to hear. No matter what context, a leader never wants to be described as a failure, even if it has some truth behind it. Seldom do you hear a story about a successful business or entrepreneur that didn’t fall short or miss an expected milestone on their journey. While most people don’t want to fail in any capacity, it sometimes needs to happen in order for us to succeed. Most often, we find our shortcomings and mistakes after we have not been successful, rather than discovering them during the process. Here are some of the most inspiring quotes from successful individuals, who have also failed.

 

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work”- Thomas Edison

 

Mr. Edison is often referred to as America’s greatest inventor. Some of the devices that he discovered and created have had a major impact an influence on the way our world operates. Most notably known for his invention of the practical electric light bulb, Thomas Edison was one of the most successful innovators in American history. Even he had to try, try again.

 

“It doesn’t matter how many times you have failed, you only have to be right once” – Mark Cuban

 

Mark Cuban is best known for his role as a big-time investor on the show, Shark Tank. Cuban earned his spot on the show, thanks to his years of making smart investments and starting his own computer software company. He currently owns the Dallas Mavericks, NBA team and is still a witty investor in sports and tech.

 

“Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”- Elon Musk

 

As the founder and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk is one of the most influential entrepreneurs of the 21st Century. With one of the largest entrepreneurial resumes of our time, Musk knows a thing or two about failure. It took decades to get to the place that all his companies are at right now.

 

“Face failure head on, don’t be afraid of it, and people will support and welcome you even more”- Richard Branson

 

Branson is best known for his founding of the Virgin Group, one of the most popular transit, entertainment, and banking companies in the world. Richard Branson and his partner started the company as a basic music shop and it has blossomed into the conglomerate that it stands as today.