TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2020
Coach’s Corner: 28 of My Favorite Sales Quotes
From Steve Jobs to Babe Ruth to herself, Pat Henneberry shares her favorite thoughts on sales and success.
Pat Henneberry is president of consulting and sales training company The Jewelry Coach. Reach her at 512-203-3414, or on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Today I have decided to feature some of my top inspirational sales quotes for you to read, share and remember.
Quotes, to me, are those little reminders that we all need now and then, and some are powerful enough to inspire us for the whole week.
I hope some of these resonate with you too.
“Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get.” – Unknown
“Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine
“Good things come to those who wait. Greater things come to those who get off their ass and do anything to make it happen.” – Unknown
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs
“Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” – Jack Canfield
“The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. For every challenge encountered, there is opportunity for growth.” – Unknown
“Self-confidence is the most attractive quality a person can have. How can anyone see how awesome you are if you can’t see it yourself?” – Unknown
“There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.” ― Zig Ziglar
“Make a customer, not a sale.” ― Katherine Barchetti
“It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.” ― Jeffrey Gitomer
“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” ― Babe Ruth
“Value the relationship more than your quota.” ― Jeffrey Gitomer
“You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” ― Zig Ziglar
“Without hustle, your talent will only get you so far.” ― Gary Vaynerchuk
“It’s not about having the right opportunities. It’s about handling the opportunities right.” ― Mark Hunter
“It is not your customer’s job to remember you. It is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don’t have the chance to forget you.” ― Patricia Fripp
“Show up early, treat people with respect and perform at the highest levels until the world can’t deny you.” ― Grant Cardone
“Approach each customer with the idea of helping him or her to solve a problem or achieve a goal, not of selling a product or service.” ― Brian Tracy
“Most people think selling is the same as talking but the most effective salespeople know that listening is the most important part of their job.” ― Roy Bartell
Quotes, to me, are those little reminders that we all need now and then, and some are powerful enough to inspire us for the whole week.
I hope some of these resonate with you too.
“Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get.” – Unknown
“Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine
“Good things come to those who wait. Greater things come to those who get off their ass and do anything to make it happen.” – Unknown
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs
“Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” – Jack Canfield
“The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. For every challenge encountered, there is opportunity for growth.” – Unknown
“Self-confidence is the most attractive quality a person can have. How can anyone see how awesome you are if you can’t see it yourself?” – Unknown
“There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.” ― Zig Ziglar
“Make a customer, not a sale.” ― Katherine Barchetti
“It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.” ― Jeffrey Gitomer
“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” ― Babe Ruth
“Value the relationship more than your quota.” ― Jeffrey Gitomer
“You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” ― Zig Ziglar
“Without hustle, your talent will only get you so far.” ― Gary Vaynerchuk
“It’s not about having the right opportunities. It’s about handling the opportunities right.” ― Mark Hunter
“It is not your customer’s job to remember you. It is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don’t have the chance to forget you.” ― Patricia Fripp
“Show up early, treat people with respect and perform at the highest levels until the world can’t deny you.” ― Grant Cardone
“Approach each customer with the idea of helping him or her to solve a problem or achieve a goal, not of selling a product or service.” ― Brian Tracy
“Most people think selling is the same as talking but the most effective salespeople know that listening is the most important part of their job.” ― Roy Bartell
“Once you understand that selling is an educational process for the buyer and closing represents graduate school for you, your career will move into high gear.” ― Zig Ziglar
“Allow other people to speak first; the important factor is not who talks, it’s who listens.” — Ilana Eberson
“You must niche to get rich.” — Melinda Emerson
“People don’t buy because what you do is awesome. People buy because it makes them feel awesome.” — Tara Gentile
“So many of us are harboring unrecognized brilliance that could help many more people.” — Amanda Littlejohn
“When you present the value of your products and services in a clear, compelling way, then you’ve tackled 90 percent of objections.” — Nancy Marmolejo
“Dedicate more time to actually selling versus planning to sell.” — Lisa Nichols
The Bottom Line
Everybody needs encouragement once in a while, no matter how devoted they are to their profession.
Use my list of inspirational quotes to keep you and your team fired up to reach your sales goals all year round.
And, of course, don’t forget two of my favorite sales quotes … if you’ve been in one of my workshops, then you’ve heard these from me multiple times: “Sell with a story,” and “You’ve got this!”
More on Columnists
The Latest
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
