When starting a business, or even envisioning one, the best thing you can do is motivate yourself while you prepare. This involves reading books on entrepreneurship, attending conferences, and acquiring knowledge through videos and publications.
If you enjoy learning about entrepreneurship and hearing from others’ success stories, then TED Talks are an excellent choice. They not only inspire but also provide useful information on how to start your own blog or motivate yourself to dream big. Here are 10 TED Talks to guide you in your ambitions to become an entrepreneur:
Explore by Theme — Jump to a Section or Read from Start to Finish
1) A Guide to Believing in Yourself (But for Real This Time) | Catherine Reitman
Ever since she was a child, Catherine Reitman has always been an optimist. She believes that if you set your mind to it, anything is possible. This attitude has served her well in her career as a journalist and TED Talk speaker, but lately it has helped her with something even more important: overcoming mental health challenges. In her talk, she helps others realize their fullest potential by overcoming a lack of self-confidence. The power of confidence in oneself cannot be overstated. When you have confidence in yourself, you are able to face any obstacle or challenge head-on with a positive attitude. Confidence in your own abilities can also give you the strength and determination to achieve your goals in life. One important way to develop self-confidence is to believe in yourself—to hold onto the belief that you are capable of achieving anything that is put before you.
Leadership, Marketing & Work Culture
2) 3 Ways to Create a Work Culture That Brings Out the Best in Employees | Chris White
Strong leadership and thoughtful marketing go hand in hand with a healthy workplace culture. When leaders prioritize clear communication, respect, and shared values, teams feel safe to take risks, innovate, and stay motivated—which is exactly the environment entrepreneurs should aim to build. Chris White offers practical steps to build trust and psychological safety among employees. Giuseppe Stigliano shows how authentic storytelling and empathy make marketing more effective, and Martin Al Masri reminds us that honest reflection about failure is a core part of learning. Together, these lessons help founders create workplaces where people want to stay and customers want to engage.
3) Design Your Dream Life Through Passive Income | Alex Szepietowski
Passive income is a dream that many people chase, but few ever achieve. Passive income streams are created when you do something with minimal input or effort and generate income in the process. Passive income can provide security and flexibility, allowing people to pursue their passions without working day in and day out for paychecks they do not enjoy. In this talk, Alex Szepietowski gives tips for realizing your goals of securing a passive income career.
4) How to Become a Marketing Superhero | Giuseppe Stigliano | TEDxRoma
Giuseppe Stigliano is an experienced professional in the field of business. In this TED Talk, he shares valuable insights and strategies for achieving balance in the corporate landscape. He explores the importance of harmonious interactions between employees, clients, and partners, illustrating how this harmony can lead to increased productivity and success. Giuseppe Stigliano’s engaging presentation style makes complex business concepts accessible to a wide audience.
5) Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance is a book by Angela Duckworth, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She has written extensively on intelligence, but this is her first book about character traits. Duckworth’s thesis is that “grit”—endurance and perseverance in the face of difficulty or opposition—is what distinguishes successful individuals from unsuccessful ones.
6) Why Confidence Is the Secret to Great Leaders at Work & Home | Dr. Karyn Gordon
Confidence is the key to success as a leader at work and in your personal life. It is essential to be self-assured, understand your strengths, and project confidence so people feel comfortable working with you. Confidence is not arrogance; it is self-assuredness.
7) Secrets of Success in 8 Words, 3 Minutes | Richard St. John
Why do most people fail at what they set their minds to? Often, it is because they do not believe they can succeed. They think “I can’t” instead of “I’ll try.”
8) Zero Equals One: Creating a Business from Nothing | Riley Csernica
Do you have an idea for a business but do not know how to start it? This talk explains how to create and grow a company from scratch.
9) Entrepreneurship Is Easy…ish | Martin Al Masri
Is entrepreneurship really easy? Martin Al Masri argues that many people underestimate the work involved.
10) How I Became an Entrepreneur at 66 | Paul Tasner
Does age affect success in entrepreneurship? Paul Tasner believes attitude, knowledge, perseverance, and faith matter more than age.
Conclusion
We hope you found this selection helpful. Entrepreneurship can present challenges, and there will be moments of doubt along the way. Do not give up, and continue to dream big despite the circumstances. We encourage you to rewatch the talks you enjoyed and take notes. Over time, you may find that the entrepreneurial journey becomes more rewarding and fulfilling.
Which of these talks inspired you most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’m an entrepreneur and digital marketing enthusiast who loves helping people grow—not just in affiliate marketing, but in all areas of online business. I enjoy showing others how to build a strong brand, create meaningful content, and use tools that make work easier. Over the years, I’ve learned what truly works in digital marketing, from creating websites that convert to building an engaged audience through email and social media. After more than ten years in the field, I’ve gathered plenty of lessons I enjoy sharing through my writing and talks. I use my own experiences to help others reach their goals and build something lasting. Besides running my business, I’m a fiction writer in the speculative genre, with dozens of short stories published in various magazines and anthologies. For eighteen years, I was a Top Reviewer at Zoetrope, an online venue for creatives, where I helped members strengthen their writing. When I’m not working as a writer or marketer, you’ll probably find me cooking, reading, or watching a good baseball game. I live in New York City, where I was born and raised.