Of course, losing my father was traumatic. I was an only child. But from the time my father died, my general theme in life has been to turn adversity into opportunity.

At the Harvard Business School, I really felt I had gained the ability to resolve difficult issues. But I also felt that I wasn't in the mainstream with my fellow students. During job-hunting season, for example, everybody shaved their beards for interviews. I thought, 'This is crazy.' So I grew a beard.

Some of the best opportunities in the world are the most obvious ones.

I'm sure that being an applicant from the American School in Vienna helped get me into all seven colleges I applied to.

After 25 years in business, Mitt Romney understands how jobs come and go, and what we need to do to get our economy back on track.

When a company goes bankrupt, you as a company have absolutely no say whatsoever as to what happens.

Of course, losing my father was traumatic. I was an only child. But from the time my father died, my general theme in life has been to turn adversity into opportunity.