“If you’re having fun, you wind up innovating.”

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.

You steal the limelight, you steal the market share

Always choose attitude over experience. Always.

I have found, whether you have a tiny business or a big business, if you don’t jump on something right away, it’s like a bird flying by-it flies off.

Everybody thinks that they’re going to time the market, they’re going to sharpshoot the market, and buy right at the bottom. The truth of the matter is that nobody is good at it.

Home staging is no longer optional in this real estate market, it is a must!

The story of my billion-dollar business starts like this. I borrowed $1,000 from a friend.