“Startups are the seed corn of the future.”

“Taking the time to hire employees who share your values will ensure a happier, more productive work environment for everyone.“

“Sometimes it takes outsiders to look at an industry and say, hey, this is broken, or this isn’t working and to come in and disrupt it.”

“We had to make some decisions on how we could remain family owned and remain a community focused brand.“

“Great marketing happens on both levels (digital and physical) and the more one leaks into the other, the stronger (and more effective) the marketing becomes.”

“Saying ‘no’ is much harder than saying ‘yes,’ and it’s the things that you chose not to do that will make you a success.”

“The success of Miss Jessie’s really relied on a lot of failure. Many people go into business for different reasons; I went in for my personality type. I don’t like being told what to do; I wanted to be a boss.”

“Branding, done right, is a rigorous process. Shortcuts almost always end up costing more in the end.“

“Solving the problems of a growing business is like fixing the landing gear on a moving plane. It has to be done, and you cant stop to do it – you have to work it out on the go.“

“We have to consciously choose to spend less time on email and carve out time for the important work that matters to us.“

“Sales are nice. Profits are nicer. But you live or die on cash flow.“

“Instead of always hiring candidates based on a skillset or experience, hire people based on their desire, intelligence, passion and work ethic.“

“If you’re looking to develop your own brand in the marketplace, it’s all about finding what your own unique brand positioning is. People don’t just want to buy something they want to buy into something.”

“It’s tougher to get a bank loan today than it was a year-ago. If you like it or not, bankers are going to look at business plans more carefully, challenge assumptions, and worry about risk.“

“The evidence shows that more diverse organizations tend to be better-managed and more profitable.“

“People here want to create their vision of the future.”