Kathy Ireland's Pearl from 'Getting There, A Book of Mentors' by Gillian Zoe Segal

For many years I was ashamed of the gaps in my formal education. I was intimidated by other people’s intellect and frequently felt like I had no business joining a conversation. Eventually I realized that I didn’t need to feel that way. Although I am a huge proponent of formal education, a real-life education can be extremely powerful. I also realized that I could take matters into my own hands and learn from reading and doing research on the Internet. There are no limits to the ways you can educate yourself. The smartest people I know never stop learning.

I have been harshly criticized at various points in my career. Back in my modeling days, a photographer very publicly said that I had a voice that could "kill small animals." When I first started in business, a journalist wrote an article referring to me as a bimbo. In 2010 I hosted ABC’s Academy Awards red carpet segment and, among other negative comments, the chief marketing officer of a large public company tweeted that I was on drugs, looked pregnant, and that whoever hired me should be shot. Although criticism often hurts, it can also be a gift. Even when it comes in a really nasty package, you have to examine it. It may simply give you the resolve to prove your critic wrong (as it did with the man I encountered on my first day delivering newspapers), but sometimes you'll find an opportunity to learn. For example, my voice was too high and squeaky - it was something I had to work on to be taken more seriously. Also, I did look a little stiff and uncomfortable while hosting the red carpet event. Other times I have discovered an opportunity to teach. I called the journalist who wrote that I was a bimbo, for example, and said, "I have great respect for your profession, but I need to understand why you used that adjective to describe me. I have children who will read this. Also, when you write something that is not truthful, it hurts my business and there are many jobs at stake.” He was extremely apologetic and we have become great friends. I made a similar call to the tweeting chief marketing officer. He also apologized and felt embarrassed about his actions. I could have let the comments go, but I knew that if I didn't confront these people they would be more likely to subject others to this kind of thing down the line.

People frequently tell me about business ideas they started but then abandoned - often because they encountered rejection or someone in their lives didn't like the idea. I say, "You stopped because of that? If you never fail, it means you are not trying hard enough."

It’s essential to surround yourself with the right people. When it comes to core values, such as integrity and tenacity, being on the same page is important, but don't be afraid of working with people who take an approach that is different from yours. Diversity allows you to complement and learn from each other. Building a great team has always been a priority for me. As a result, most of us have been together through thick and thin for almost twenty-six years. Without this long term strategy, our business could never have grown into what it is today.