What's next for you?
Mostly, my customers will decide that. I'll be co-sponsoing my 4th LPGA tournament in November in Alabama with The Mitchell Company. I'll be developing homes with Mitchell Company, which is exciting because I get to work with neighborhood issues, like safety, access to parks and services and the like. The first development will be in Florida.
The housing will share my brand's four values – Fashion, Quality, Value and Safety - and safety is always number one. It only takes an instant for a tragedy to occur. I live in California and we often have earthquakes. That's why I stress that people need to get tip kits to secure furnishings to the wall, and it's why you won't find things that are safety hazards – like sharp edges – on our furniture.
I'm also working on a jewelry line with Dame Elizabeth Taylor. I consider myself a student of the jewelry business, and who better to learn from than her? She really makes it a lot of fun. She is absolutely fearless. What I love most about her is her heart, her philanthropy. She sees a need and just does it.
What lies ahead for your business? What do you see as your biggest business challenge in the years to come?
We need to keep growing. If you don't grow, you stagnate and if you stagnate you go away. But growth has to be done at a pace that you can maintain quality and maintain your integrity. You can't let growth become unmanageable. A business is like a plant – it has to be nurtured, fed, and paid attention to so it will grow carefully and not randomly.
I think another challenge is anticipating change. It's far more powerful to initiate change than to be forced to react to it.
Who Has Inspired You?
Kathy Ireland has truly progressed from her early days as a fashion model to becoming a role model for working moms and just about anyone who needs inspiration in their life. Since our interview, I've already been able to put her advice of setting boundaries and learning it's okay to say "No" to good use.
From Your Guide
One of the reasons I contacted Kathy and requested the interview was a comment I received from Linda, a site visitor:
I would suggest that all the mom's out there get to know Kathy Ireland. What she has done is amazing while putting her family first...She wrote a book, Powerful Inspirations, which I am using as a road map for all that I am doing in my life.
Has someone had a positive effect on your life or inspired you to become successful? If so, I'd like to hear from you. Email me and let me know who has inspired you and in what ways.
