Partnerships , Not Paranoia

“My philosophy is, hire the very best. Hire people who are better than you and don’t be intimidated that, ‘Oh, they’re going to take my job,’ because you’ve got something—that’s why you’re in that job. Hire people who can add to that and make you shine. We have to stop looking over our shoulder.”

Baby Steps

“If you take a little fat 8-month-old baby and he’s lying on a rug and suddenly this child flips over, that child cares about nothing else except the fact that he is probably the most brilliant thing in the world. Then he crawls and he’s like, ‘I’m the very best.’ Then he says, ‘If I can pull myself up on that table with my wobbly little fat thighs it would be amazing,’ and up he goes. But he doesn’t lie on the rug and say, ‘Now I am going to run a marathon.’ It’s little steps. And when you’re 40, it’s exactly the same. If someone said to me 15 years ago, ‘You’re going to run a $100 million product line, and you’re going to have all these different shows, and do this and do that,’ I’d be like, ‘I’m going back to bed.’”

Timing Is Everything

“Timing is really important; not just the time the idea is going to hit, but you also have to ask if it’s the right time for you. If you’re trying to do this with two babies at home and you really do feel the pressure that it’s not going to work, or you’re going through a divorce, maybe it’s not the right time.”

On Growing a Business

“What’s hard, really the most dangerous time, is going from a small business to a medium-sized business. This is where you need a larger place, so you’re going to spend more on rent, you’re going to have to employ more people. Usually when you go from a medium-sized business to a large business, that’s when you need help. You need to have partners  and things like that. And that’s with caution. It’s absolutely the easiest time to start throwing money around.”

Debbie’s Next Strokes of Genius

“I’m in the process of doing a kid’s book now—a painting book. We have a full paint line and furniture line we’re hoping to bring into the States next spring. I’m trying to open up a retreat in Italy—a really amazing place. Ten to 15 women can come at once—all strangers—and have lectures and speakers and just eat together, laugh together … like going to camp, but for grown women. You need to be with people who are like you and I think we’re quite surprised at how similar we all are.”

This Featured Lady was profiled by Sandra Sellani, a brand consultant and author in Southern California.

Ladies Who Launch is asking you … what do you think of Debbie’s story? Let everyone know in the Comments section below!

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