Growing up in a tiny town in Washington state, Kathleen Plate developed a knack for creating something out of nothing. Her childhood money-making schemes included collecting recyclable cans to pay for summer camp and selling handpicked blackberries. In grad school studying English lit, she made a pair of earrings as a party gift, and by the end of the night had a handful of orders for more. It was the beginning of her company, Smart Glass Jewelry, in which Kathleen transforms discarded glass bottles into imaginative earrings, necklaces, bangles, and recently launched, furnishings.

In business for 18 years, she’s seen the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and thinks it isn’t for everyone. “If you believe in scarcity and fear, then you’re probably better off having a desk job because you’ll be motivated by security,” she says. “But if you believe in adventure and look at the world as full of opportunity, then you’ll be more suited to entrepreneurship.” Below, a few insights into her Go-Getter Girl mindset.

Daily ritual: Driving to work, she sets her intention for the day. “Sometimes it might be business-related, such as securing the purchasing order from a new client. Other times, I just hope something quirky happens that day.”

On time-management: “When you run your own business, you’ll try a locked door a few times, but you can’t waste time banging on it when there might be three open doors right next to you.”

Stress relief: A four-mile jog around a lake. “Exercise clears your mind so that what you know can emerge.”

Can’t live without: Travel, in the last year to Peru, Italy, Tahiti, Jamaica, and Mexico. “It’s good for the soul.”

To learn more about Kathleen, visit Smart Glass Jewelry or kathleenplate.com.

Susan Fales-Hill knows how to make an entrance. While a senior at Harvard, she had a fortuitous meeting with Bill Cosby– and arrived with a parody script and audio tape she’d prepared. “I knew you don’t just go meet someone and show up with nothing but a smile,” she says. “I thought, this is an opportunity; show him your stuff!” That performance earned her a job as a writer’s apprentice on The Cosby Show.

She went on to work for A Different World–becoming its head writer/co-executive producer– followed by 15 years as a television producer and writer. Next, she shifted to prose, writing the critically-acclaimed memoir, Always Wear Joy, about her late mother, actress and performer Josephine Premice. Now, she’s turned to fiction. Her debut novel, out this month, is One Flight Up, a juicy, fun-filled take on the lives of four multi-cultural girlfriends. Think Sex and the City, with an international twist.

Here, Susan shares a few of her secrets in work and in fashion (she’s been named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame).

Inspired by: friendships; textiles; books by Charles Dickens; the painting of her mother in the mezzanine at the New York Public Library (her go-to writing spot).

Style trademark: blouses with dramatic poet sleeves; bias cut gowns for evening

Writing motto: Don’t get it right; get it written.

Work look: “I get dressed to write: slacks, dresses, maybe even a suit.”

On following your bliss: “Don’t think you’ll necessarily become a multi-millionaire by doing what you love. You might just have the gift that you get to do what you’re passionate about. It’s a risk you’re taking.”

Footwear: Flats by Tod’s. “I don’t believe in wearing flip-flops– except at the beach or leaving the nail salon!”

Fitness routine: Reformer pilates, three times a week.

Beauty must: Perfume. “My first love is Amazone by Hermes.”

To learn more about Susan (and peek inside her swoon-worthy “closet”), visit www.susanfales-hill.com.

The designer of several eponymous collections–including her new affordably-priced Rachel Rachel Roy line at Macy’s– shares a bit of what she’s learned about work, life, and looking great.

What elements does an item of clothing need to look expensive even when it’s not?

As a shopper, you should look for good fabric–how it feels when you touch it–and try the piece on to see how it’s constructed. You still might have to get it altered for a little more cost, but tailoring helps the piece look richer right away. Also, check the stitch. If a designer uses a very thin thread, it looks much cheaper than a nice, thick thread. You hear about thread count with sheets, and it’s the same with stitches. If the thread is thicker, I find it makes the garment look richer. Those are little touches I try to give to my [Macy's] collection.

What did you learn back as an intern at Rocawear that prepared you for running your own business?

I learned so much! I think when you work in every department, even departments you don’t like, you learn to appreciate every position.  Working in, for example, the mailroom and in marketing, I learned seemingly little things like how much messengers cost and what time FedEx closes. But those are the things that you actually need to know to run your own company. Also, I’m used to the long hours because I did intern. Now, I don’t mind the hours because I’m working for myself.

You recently told Vogue that you don’t make the gym an utmost priority given your busy schedule as a mom of two daughters.  How do you keep it all together, so to speak?

It’s not easy. I do take it one day at a time, and try to make time for myself, literally just “mind-melting.” Some people call it meditation; I call it mind-melt. Everyday for a few moments (not even 10 minutes if I don’t have it) I either talk to myself or, since I’m a bit spiritual, I talk to God, just trying to put everything into alignment. I also do deep breathing. All of these things sound so corny that I hate kind of listing them, but if you try it when you’re alone–just a deep breath, or sitting up straight–it works. It calms me, and I’m able to be more present for the people that deserve it, like my two little girls.  They deserve a really active, present mom. So, that’s what keeps me going.

To learn more about Rachel, visit www.rachelroy.com.

Photo Credit: Barry Williams

Check out this great article in Esquire about Yahoo’s CEO Carol Bartz.  Unapologetically brash, she’s got one of the funniest and insightful hiring techniques. When she gets to the last stage of the interview, she already knows whether the person can do the job. But that’s not enough; the candidate can’t, to put it bluntly, be an asshole. As Carol describes her process:

“We’ll go through the whole interview, and I’ll say, “I have one last question. I don’t work with assholes. Are you one?”

Some say, “What a great question! I want to work in a place that’s like that.” But you’d be amazed at how many others hear that question and look like they’ve just been caught. Their expressions say: I guess I’m an asshole.

Bold, and brilliant!

The stunning and talented Rachel Roy was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago to promote her fab new reasonably-priced line at Macy’s, Rachel Rachel Roy. It was an honor to meet her (and sign a copy of the book for her!!). Watch for our interview in the June newsletter (you can sign up on www.debrashigley.com)– she shared some great insights on how to look rich for less, what she learned as an intern that’s made her a better businesswoman, and managing it all as a mom of two.

Photo credit: Barry Williams / Macy’s