If I lost control of the business I'd lose myself - or at least the ability to be myself. Owning myself is a way to be myself.

You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love--who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dreams.

One if the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.

I believe that there are forces of light and darkness in the world, and I don't want to be a contributor to the force of darkness.

When ordinary people decide to do extraordinary things they transform their lives and the lives of others around them.

I'm black, I don't feel burdened by it and I don't think it's a huge responsibility. It's part of who I am. It does not define me.

There's a group of 12 oak trees on my property in California that I call 'my disciples.' Their branches form a canopy over the ground, and I sit underneath them for inspiration.