I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with an English literature degree and travelled for a year before going to work.

The power of your thoughts can influence how events turn out. I'm a positive person - when bad things happen, I can see the silver lining. As a result I think I am very lucky, even though I probably have as much bad luck as anyone else, and that translates into seeing opportunity.

Always go into meetings or negotiations with a positive attitude. Tell yourself you're going to make this the best deal for all parties.

In order to stay relevant, you have to stay open to new trends and keep educating yourself. You have to keep evolving.

Once you start a business, you have to grow it and grow with it - starting a business is not just for Christmas.

I always thought I looked kind of like Keith Richards, and sometimes I think I look like Michael Jackson.

Part of creating the future is to follow this consumer. Women are working; we've moved the store to the desk. Now though, she's is in the back of a cab with her iPhone or her iPad, she's tweeting an outfit that her friend is wearing and desperately trying to find out where she got her shoes online.