One of the reasons I wanted to start a company is because I wanted an environment that I wanted to work in. I wanted people to be able to have a life - for it to be OK to leave for a lacrosse game or a doctor's appointment. So I think women do work differently; it's important to have both men and women. They offer different things.

It was ingrained in me to be gracious.

I think when I was on the corporate ladder, it was very difficult to maintain the hours. It's a little easier when you have you're an entrepreneur.

When I started my company, many people said I shouldn't launch it as a retail concept because it was too big a risk. They told me to launch as a wholesaler to test the waters - because that was the traditional way.

I like being straightforward. We can deal with anything as long as it's on the table.

Women have to embrace ambition if they want to. I had a lot of trouble taking compliments in the beginning, and it's really important for women to embrace their title.

I think women have a lack of confidence. They often apologize; I was guilty of that too. When people have said, "Oh, look at your success," I would downplay it.