Ideas, even million-dollar ones, are most vulnerable in their infancy; don't share them with too many people. However, don't hide your plan from people who can help you move it forward.

The thought of my mortality - I think about it a lot. I find it motivating. It can be any time that your number's up.

Don't let what you don't know scare you, because it can become your greatest asset.

I got a call from the Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah had chosen Spanx as one of her favorite products in 2000. I had boxes of product in my apartment and I had two weeks notice that she was going to say she loved it on TV and I had no shipping department.

I grew up in a house where my father encouraged my brother and me to fail. I specifically remember coming home and saying, 'Dad, Dad, I tried out for this or that and I was horrible,' and he would high-five me and say, 'Way to go.'

Everything in our society is so purposeful.

Courage is doing something despite the fear, and I've worked hard on being a courageous person.