American economy is tricky. If you stay in the game you're in a good position for the upswing. If you're not in the game you can't win.

If you want to find what God put you here to do, ask yourself three questions. First question: What comes easy to you but harder to other people? The second question is: What would you do for years and never have to get paid for it? Third, ask yourself: How can you be of service?

If you make too many things too public, then you end up living your life before the court of public opinion.

My grandma used to make syrup for us because we couldn't afford it and I just played around with her recipe. I made strawberry syrup and that didn't really work out but I made strawberry-vanilla and that sold. Then I just went out and took marketing classes, went to seminars, learned about marketing a product and striking deals. It ended up taking orders of $1.5 million.

I'm a strong supporter of comfort breeds complacency. Growing up poor I wasn't comfortable, and my mom had to work so hard and I woke up one day and decided I was not going to come home until I could help her pay the bills.

It is not possible to erase racism just because African-Americans have reached a level of financial success and crossover appeal.

Money has not changed me. When I look at money, each dollar represents an option of something I could not do yesterday.