Real guts are nothing more than developing your inner voice to the point where it is louder and stronger than the voice of your fear.

Women are called difficult and tough when (1) we negotiate the best deal, (2) we are perfectionists in doing our job, (3) we are willing to work harder and longer than men are willing to, and (4) when we question anything - anything - that someone else is doing, particularly if that someone is a man.

In the end, raising money is basically a matter of going out there and asking. There are no shortcuts.

Fear of failure and fear of the unknown are always defeated by faith. Having faith in yourself, in the process of change, and in the new direction that change sets will reveal your own inner core of steel.

Cash is cold comfort under these circumstances. But make no mistake about it; It is some comfort.

What separates the winners from the losers is that winners are able to handle problems and crises that they never imagined would occur. You hit the floor, but what counts is how fast you can get up and regroup. Failure is simply part of the equation.

Everyone wants a hug and kiss. It translates into any language.