“Shark Tales: How I turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business.”

If you’ve got the money, you need people to make money with your money. And if you have the talent, you can always merchandise your talent to someone who’s got the money and make money. There’s two pieces to it: talent and money.

Great sales people [don’t] have the ability to feel sorry for themselves.

Innovation and creativity are the juiciest parts of running a business.

I had probably seven agents by the time I became a legitimate real estate broker.

Rent a wide-angle lens and good lighting, get rid of your clutter and post at least eight great photos to win the beauty contest.

I’m never in control of my time during the workday.

My husband had a very strong identity and was successful in his life. Thank God for that. There’s no way I can control him. I wouldn’t stay married to him if I felt I could. I can readily take my business personality into the home. But he forces me to be a partner rather than the boss.

Figure out what past efforts amounted to nothing and label them your “not to do” list. Post the list where you’ll see it.

When you’re in business, if you have some sort of gimmick it’s a huge advantage.

I was a hot-dog stand lady, I was an orphan housemother, I was a waitress 3 or 4 times. All of those jobs did not have good bosses. They basically told you what to do, when to do and when to hop. And I just didn’t like that very much.

The most effective way to build a brand is not by spending millions in advertising, but by finding a clever way to keep your name in the press.

The power of publicity is more important than advertising.

Your business is a part of yourself. Should it be? Who knows, but it sure feels that way. You can never really leave it.

The biggest challenge in business is not the competition, it’s what goes on inside your own head

Insecurity is a wonderful motivator.

A funny thing happens in real estate. When it comes back, it comes back up like gangbusters.