I had no idea when I went to college what I'd be doing. I took organic chemistry and did terribly, but I was good in English and art. I took many courses and participated in as many activities as I could. I learned a lot about every single thing.

I never pay attention to age or gender. There are just too many other more important things to consider.

I'm not a sponge exactly, but I find that something I look at is a great opportunity for ideas.

When I was growing up my mom was home. She wanted to go to work, but she waited. She was educated as a teacher. The minute my youngest sister went to school full-time, from first grade, mom went back to work. But she balanced her life. She chose teaching, which enabled her to leave at the same time we left, and come home pretty much the same time we came home. She knew how to balance.

To entertain at home is both a relief and a rediscovery - of rooms and settings, of your favorite things, and particularly of your own tastes and ideas.

I love dessert. I can't be guilty about it because I have to taste everything. I experiment.

I really do have rules for running and managing a business that have never been formalized before.