Julie Macklowe

"My key to success is endurance. My day is like a marathon. I spend tons of time going from restaurants to meetings with the beverage directors, customers or distributors. I think we have had success because we have spent tons of time with excellent partners in the market, building relationships one by one. It really sells the product in each venue. It is not the most scalable business because it's essential that you have a personal connection with each person and that they buy into the story, that they understand and want to get behind you. After all, without the people who matter in each venue, a brand can't succeed."

"My 15-year career in finance gave me unique skills: looking at cash flow, balance sheet, inventory, and understanding as an operator. I would argue that cash flow is the most critical thing for staying in business and for all entrepreneurs. Having invested 15 years as a CEO and in companies, I have this unique perspective. I probably understand financials better because of my background. We are much more careful with money because I personally sign every single check for everything we do. We have to be scrappy as I don't have the company pocketbook like some of these conglomerates that can waste money on things and see how it works. We have to be incredibly thoughtful and extremely methodical about everything we do. We don't have any benefit when we make mistakes."