There’s always a stigma attached to the word ‘ambition’ and women. I’ve embraced it. Ambition is NOT a four-letter word and women have to embrace that.

It was ingrained in me to be gracious.

I am always interested in designing things that have a great price point attached to it.

Even if you’re not yet an entrepreneur, you can be entrepreneurial in everything you do. If you view each stop as an opportunity to learn something, there is always something you will take away from that experience.

I wanted stores that would feel like a comfortable room in my apartment, cozy and colorful and different.

An important lesson: Things that look like an overnight success usually aren't.

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.