Joanna Coles Quotes

Powerful Joanna Coles for Daily Growth

About Joanna Coles

Joanna Coles is an acclaimed British-American journalist, editor, television personality, and author, renowned for her significant contributions to media and pop culture. Born in Glasgow, Scotland on September 18, 1963, she moved with her family to the United States when she was just seven years old, settling in Birmingham, Alabama. Her early interest in journalism blossomed during her studies at Wellesley College, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in English. Post-graduation, she pursued law at Harvard Law School but soon found herself drawn back to her first love - journalism. She earned a Master's Degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism instead. Coles' career took off when she joined Hearst Magazines in 1995, where she held various editor roles including Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan and Redbook magazines. Her impactful tenure saw a 30% increase in Cosmopolitan's readership during her seven years at the helm. In 2013, Coles ventured into television, becoming the host and producer of 'The Makeovers', an American reality-television series on TLC. She also appeared as a judge on another TLC show, 'Say Yes to the Dress'. Coles' first book, "Love Rules: How to Find a Real Love in the Digital Age," published in 2019, offers practical advice on dating and relationships in the modern digital era. It quickly became a New York Times bestseller, reflecting her ability to connect with readers and offer insights into contemporary issues. Throughout her journey, Coles has been inspired by strong female figures such as Gloria Steinem and Helen Gurley Brown, who paved the way for women in media and journalism. Her work continues to influence millions, bridging the gap between popular culture and modern society.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Don't wait for permission to follow your dreams."

The quote by Joanna Coles, "Don't wait for permission to follow your dreams," emphasizes personal autonomy and the importance of pursuing one's aspirations without seeking external validation or approval. In essence, it encourages individuals to take charge of their lives and not let fear of disapproval hold them back from realizing their goals. This quote underscores the empowering message that every person has the ability and right to shape their own destiny.


"The future is female, and it always has been."

This quote by Joanna Coles suggests a perspective that views the progression of humanity as inherently inclusive of women's empowerment and leadership. The phrase "the future is female" implies an emerging era where women's roles, potential, and impact on society will be significant. However, it also carries the implication that this state has been present throughout history, as the idea of gender equality has always existed in some form or another. Essentially, Joanna Coles is encouraging us to recognize the importance of female influence and leadership in our past, present, and future, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy and progress towards true gender equality.


"You can't be what you can't see."

This quote emphasizes the importance of representation and visibility in inspiring individuals, particularly those from underrepresented groups. In essence, it suggests that one cannot aspire to roles or positions they have not seen someone else holding because there is no relatable role model or example to follow. Encouraging diversity and inclusion in various fields can help provide such role models, thereby breaking down barriers for future generations.


"Success in business requires a certain amount of savvy and a certain amount of naivety – the naivety that things will work out, which they almost never do."

This quote by Joanna Coles emphasizes the delicate balance needed to achieve success in business. Savviness refers to a keen understanding of the industry, market trends, and strategic planning. On the other hand, naivety represents an optimistic, unassuming mindset that assumes things will work out despite the odds – a crucial element that helps entrepreneurs take risks and persevere through challenges. However, as Coles suggests, success rarely comes as expected, highlighting the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected obstacles.


"There is no such thing as a bad idea. If it's an idea, it's something to build upon."

This quote emphasizes that every idea, regardless of its initial perceived value or potential flaws, serves as a foundation for further development and improvement. It encourages people to freely express their thoughts and creativity, knowing that with the right refinement and adjustments, these ideas can evolve into valuable and innovative solutions.


I grew up in Yorkshire, which is like the Texas of Britain. It's a proud free state and not always liked by the other counties in Britain.

- Joanna Coles

Always, Other, Which, Yorkshire

At the age of 10, I had my first piece published in what was known as the 'Junior Post,' which was part of the 'Yorkshire Post,' and it was just for kids. I read it every week. And I got paid for it. So I thought... 'I can actually do this. I can get paid to write, and this is going to be fine.' I wrote several pieces for them.

- Joanna Coles

Thought, Week, Part, Yorkshire

Love and food are very similar in many ways. We can't survive without them, and they bring us great joy, and just as there is junk food, and you can become obese, there's also junk love.

- Joanna Coles

Love, Very, Similar, Obese

'Marie Claire' is one of those magazines that doesn't feel as well known as it should be.

- Joanna Coles

Should, Known, Well Known, Marie

I like to use exercise classes as a way of understanding what people are doing. I'm promiscuous in terms of exercise. You see what people are wearing. You see what people are responding to. You see what the music is they're listening to. An exercise class is social anthropology: what clothes people are wearing, what are the new sneakers.

- Joanna Coles

Doing, Use, Classes, Promiscuous

People don't really talk about falling in love anymore. And yet falling in love is the great engine that drives all the best art - or falling out of love or being heartbroken - drives all the best books, drives all the best music, and yet we've sort of stopped talking about it.

- Joanna Coles

Love, Heartbroken, About, Engine

It's very easy to imagine someone online in a positive way, but it's only when you sit down, with all five senses in play, that you can really tell, 'Do I find this person attractive?'

- Joanna Coles

Play, Senses, Very, Positive Way

We have a generation of women who think that they can just have IVF, and everything will be fine. The odds are against you once you start having IVF, and the odds are against you over the age of 35. And to pretend that it's easy to have a baby in your 40s or 50s is - it's just selling women a false dream.

- Joanna Coles

Against, Pretend, Your, Odds

It is extremely frustrating if you are in your 20s and you want to embark on having a family and you're struggling to meet people.

- Joanna Coles

Want, Your, Having, Embark

With beauty, I think one never finishes it. I'm always exploring. I like the concept of change.

- Joanna Coles

Think, Always, I Think, Finishes

People avoid the telephone because it's easier to text. Calls can be awkward - you interrupt each other; you can't quite hear someone. But the advantage is you get to hear someone else's voice. You find out whether or not you can have a fluid conversation or if it's stilted and peculiar.

- Joanna Coles

Voice, Other, Out, Peculiar

You need a nutritional love diet. Don't put the junk stuff in your body - it's not going to do you any good.

- Joanna Coles

Love, Need, Going, Nutritional

I don't like the word 'juggling' or 'work-life balance.' You prioritize.

- Joanna Coles

Balance, Like, Juggling, Prioritize

It might be that you never want to get married, or it might be that you really, really do. Either is fine. What's not fine is not to be honest about what you want.

- Joanna Coles

Want, Might, About, Get Married

As the editor of 'Cosmopolitan,' I talk to hundreds of young women about the sometimes bewilderingly rapid changes taking place in our romantic lives and the role new technology plays in our search for intimacy and commitment.

- Joanna Coles

Young, Sometimes, Role, Cosmopolitan

We have enormous appetites for both food and love, and yet there's junk food and also junk love.

- Joanna Coles

Love, Junk, Appetites, Junk Food

I remember once when I was working on a magazine, and one of the male editors was going on a field trip with one of his sons. The office was full of, 'He's such a good dad,' whereas I came in late from a doctor's appointment for one of my children and was asked, 'Where were you? You'll need to make up the time.'

- Joanna Coles

I Remember, Appointment, Dad, Whereas

I started in journalism: my first magazine, I developed when I was 10. I sent it round to the neighbors. I also sent it to the Queen of England.

- Joanna Coles

Queen, England, Started, Journalism

If you're in journalism, the U.S. - and New York City in particular - is an exciting place to work.

- Joanna Coles

Work, City, New, Journalism

In the same way you pick idly at chips, promising this is literally your last one, you may be in a relationship that you know isn't going anywhere, but you're hungry for love, and it feels less frightening than nothing.

- Joanna Coles

Love, Chips, Feels, Idly

The transition of a desk job, having to be in the office at the same time every day, I found super hard.

- Joanna Coles

Every Day, Having, Same Time, Transition

Having diverse leadership means there are more voices in the room, and there are more different points of entry for people who are being bullied or abused at work. There are more points of entry for them to complain to.

- Joanna Coles

More, Means, Having, Bullied

Managers have to demand more of their HR departments, and they have to demand more of themselves. And we all have to be open to hiring people that don't look like us and that don't sound like us, and not find that threatening.

- Joanna Coles

More, Like, Hiring, Managers

As I've gotten older, I've become much more effective at seeking and accepting help and bringing other people into the discussion. You start to understand that you can't control or fix everything on your own.

- Joanna Coles

More, Other, Gotten, Accepting

I was precocious, so I began reading 'Cosmo' when I was 12.

- Joanna Coles

Reading, Began, Precocious

It's really important to be surrounded by people who are going to lift you up.

- Joanna Coles

Important, Surrounded, Going, Lift

I have a lot of tea in the morning. I always have toast and peanut butter.

- Joanna Coles

Tea, Always, Lot, Toast

I probably don't conform to most people's idea of a fashion editor.

- Joanna Coles

Idea, Most, Editor, Conform

I started at 'The Daily Telegraph' as a daily news reporter. I moved then to 'The Guardian,' and then I moved to New York as the correspondent for 'The Guardian,' moved to 'The Times of London.' And really, it was the best job you could imagine. You could cover any story you wanted in America.

- Joanna Coles

Best, London, Moved, Guardian

I think the single most important thing for a job interview is leave the phone in your bag and do not look at it for 20 minutes.

- Joanna Coles

Think, Minutes, I Think, Interview

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