Building a business isn’t easy.

3 quotes from Oprah Winfrey on finding success and doing work that matters.

The secret to success isn’t a secret at all — Here’s how to get out of your own way and start doing work that matters.

Growing a successful business comes with both ups and downs. It’s not always easy and the path isn’t always clear.

One of the most successful media producers in history, Oprah Winfrey, knows this better than anyone.

Her journey was far from easy and the path to success was long and winding.

After a difficult childhood and a career that took her from Nashville to Baltimore to Chicago, Oprah made history in 1988 when her production company, Harpo Inc. took control of her daytime television show.

Even then Oprah didn’t stop.

She continued to invest in her business and built it to the multi-million dollar media powerhouse it is today.

Here’s what she says helped her along the way.

Hard work is the only path to success

“The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal is, you can get there—as long as you’re willing to be honest with yourself about the preparation and work involved. There are no back doors, no free rides. There’s just you, this moment, and a choice.”

— Oprah Winfrey

Sometimes circumstances aren't in our favor. Oprah reminds us that we make our own luck.

If you set the right intentions, find focus, and work hard, success will follow.

Work that matters isn’t always fun

“Your job is not always going to fulfill you. There will be some days that you just might be bored. Other days, you may not feel like going to work at all. Go anyway, and remember that your job is not who you are, it’s just what you are doing on the way to who you will become.”

— Oprah Winfrey

Building a business takes character. Successful people show up every day, no matter what.

We may not like whatever today offers, but we can take advantage of it to gain experience that we can apply in the future.

Get over yourself and learn from those around you

“For every one of us that succeeds, it's because there's somebody there to show you the way out. The light doesn't always necessarily have to be in your family; for me, it was teachers and school."

— Oprah Winfrey

Oprah says that success doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

We must take advantage of whatever circumstances we find ourselves in and find people that will help us achieve our goals.

And we must also uplift others.

Through her production company, Oprah has helped launch some of the largest personalities in daytime TV.

Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Dr. Oz. These are just some of the names that produce content under Harpo’s umbrella.

Oprah understands the value of using her platform to help others achieve success. Every brand she helps launch, contributes to the growth of her own business.

Sometimes success means getting out of our own way.

— Mike Doane