MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
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
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
