“Launching a business is kind of like a motorboat: You can go very quickly and turn fast.”

Success is getting to a point where you’d be truly OK with losing everything you have and starting over.

Happiness is really just about four things: perceived control, perceived progress, connectedness (number and depth of your relationships), and vision/meaning (being part of something bigger than yourself).

I thought about how easily we are all brainwashed by our society and culture to stop thinking and just assume by default that more money equals more success and more happiness, when ultimately happiness is really just about enjoying life.

Chase the vision, not the money, the money will end up following you.

Help shape the stories that people are telling about you.

If there are too many competitors, even if you’re the best it’s a lot harder to win.

Businesses often forget about the culture, and ultimately, they suffer for it because you can’t deliver good service from unhappy employees.

I’d rather spend money on things that improve the customer experience than on marketing.

Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger.

For individuals, character is destiny. For organizations, culture is destiny.

We asked ourselves what we wanted this company to stand for. We didn’t want to just sell shoes. I wasn’t even into shoes – but I was passionate about customer service.

Learn by doing. Theory is nice, but nothing replaces actual experience.

Most innovation comes from outside your industry applied to your own

Having a higher purpose is more than just about profits. You actually end up making more profits in the long run because employees really are a lot more engaged and customers see the higher purpose in the company.

Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion.

Don’t be cocky. Don’t be flashy. There’s always someone better than you.

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

Change yourself, take baby steps, and stay determined for ten years.

Change yourself, take baby steps, and stay determined for ten years.

One of the things that gets me up in the morning is knowing that customer expectations are always rising, and I find that very exciting.

One of the things that gets me up in the morning is knowing that customer expectations are always rising, and I find that very exciting.