I believe in a man and a woman being equal. I really believe that we can do anything we set our minds to.

I am not a rock star or a movie star; I'm a businessperson. I definitely know who my friends are. I'm much more open and trusting than, say, my daughter is.

I find that when you have a real interest in life and a curious life, that sleep is not the most important thing.

Many of my executives have worked with me since the beginning. I can be fair and decisive and encouraging as well as demanding.

I'm very inspired by nature - you could say Mother Nature. I look at things around me and get all kinds of inspiration daily.

The first book really was kind of an entertaining textbook for the homemaker. I couldn't find a good book about entertaining in 1982, and neither could my friend, so I decided to write it.

Over the years, I learned so much from mom. She taught me about the importance of home and history and family and tradition. She also taught me that aging need not mean narrowing the scope of your activities and interests or a diminution of the great pleasures to be had in the everyday.