Breaking Barriers: 5 Lessons Every Woman Entrepreneur Can Steal from It Ends with Us

Entrepreneurship is no walk in the park—especially when you’re a woman carving out space in a male-dominated world. It takes grit, resilience, and a whole lot of self-belief. And who better to drop some hard-hitting truths about strength and survival than Colleen Hoover in It Ends with Us?

Sure, the book is about love, heartbreak, and self-worth, but if you read between the lines, there are some serious business lessons hidden in there. So, if you’re a woman on a mission to build your empire, here are five quotes from It Ends with Us that you need to steal and make your entrepreneurial mantra!

“There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”

In the world of business, you’ll meet all kinds of people—some will support you, some will doubt you, and some will straight-up ghost you after a pitch meeting. But here’s the thing: not every rejection or failure means someone is out to get you. People make decisions based on their own circumstances, not necessarily because they don’t believe in you. Take the lesson, adjust your strategy, and move forward.

💡 Entrepreneurial Takeaway: Don’t take business personally. Learn, adapt, and keep it moving!

“You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.”

Ah, the hustle! Every woman entrepreneur knows what it’s like to work tirelessly—burning the midnight oil, juggling a hundred things at once, and still feeling like there’s a long way to go. But this quote is a beautiful reminder that one day, all the hard work will pay off.

💡 Entrepreneurial Takeaway: Success is coming. Keep pushing, but don’t forget to recognize when you’ve actually made it—and celebrate those wins!

“Just because someone hurts you doesn’t mean you can simply stop loving them. It’s not a person’s actions that hurt the most. It’s the love.”

Starting a business is like falling in love—it’s exciting, terrifying, and sometimes, it breaks your heart. Maybe your first startup didn’t work out. Maybe you had to part ways with a co-founder. Maybe an investor promised the world but delivered… crickets. It hurts, but that doesn’t mean you stop believing in your vision.

💡 Entrepreneurial Takeaway: Failures and setbacks are inevitable. Love your journey enough to start over, pivot, and keep chasing your dream.

“Cycles exist because they are excruciating to break.”

Raise your hand if you’ve been underestimated in a meeting. Or if you’ve had to prove yourself twice as hard just to be taken seriously. Women entrepreneurs often have to break industry norms, challenge stereotypes, and fight for opportunities that come easily to others. It’s tough, but breaking cycles is what disruptors do best.

💡 Entrepreneurial Takeaway: Be the change. Smash glass ceilings. Rewrite the rules. The future belongs to the fearless.

“Fifteen seconds. That’s all it takes to completely change everything about a person.”

One idea. One pitch. One viral post. That’s all it takes to change the course of your business. Think about how quickly trends shift, how one introduction can open doors, how one bold decision can set you on a completely new trajectory.

💡 Entrepreneurial Takeaway: Stay ready. Opportunities don’t wait. Take the risk, say yes, and watch your life change in ways you never imagined.

Final Thoughts: You Got This, Boss Lady!

It Ends with Us may be about love and tough choices, but if you read it through the lens of an entrepreneur, it’s also about resilience, reinvention, and rising above challenges. So, take these lessons, own your power, and go build something incredible.

Because the best stories? They’re the ones you write yourself.

By Priya Lalwani