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Staff post about: Martha Stewart Become an Author

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I'm a maniacal perfectionist. And if I weren't, I wouldn't have this company.

I find that when you have a real interest in life and a curious life, that sleep is not the most important thing.

I catnap now and then, but I think while I nap, so it's not a waste of time.

I'm not a sponge exactly, but I find that something I look at is a great opportunity for ideas.

My dream now, in retrospect then, was to be an eclectic knowledge-gathering person - in order to be able to learn and then to teach. And I'm still doing that, so I think I am a teacher.

My new motto is: When you're through changing, you're through.

It's a how-to show with entertainment and a live audience, ... It's not a talk show ? I don't see a couch anywhere.

[Is this the same old Martha or a new and improved Martha?] You can say 'new and improved' if you want, ... But I don't think there was anything quite wrong with the old one.

I invented 'It's a good thing' before you were even born.

I don't even like firing people. I don't think I've ever said, 'You're fired' to anybody.

Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success.

I am a hero worshiper. I love the number one tennis player. I love the number one baseball player. I want to see those records broken.

I think it's very important that whatever you're trying to make or sell, or teach has to be basically good. A bad product and you know what? You won't be here in ten years.

I always disagreed with the separation of the name and the brand and the person, ... To build on that name and brand is one thing. To divorce the name and the brand from the person was not an approach that I agreed with.

You have to watch the clock constantly because you're only allowed out of your home for a limited period, and for a busy person, watching the clock and knowing other people are watching the clock is extremely difficult.

Many of my executives have worked with me since the beginning. I can be fair and decisive and encouraging as well as demanding.

I really do have rules for running and managing a business that have never been formalized before.

I'm used to all kinds of hard work, as you know. I'm not afraid whatsoever.

I know I have a very tough five months ahead of me, but I understand, too, that I will get through those months knowing that I have the ability to return to my productive and normal life, my interesting work and future business opportunities.

I would like to be back as early in March as possible so I can plant my spring garden and get things growing again.

This is what truly interests us, why we all come to work every day ... our passion is and always should be to make life better.

This will not only extend our brand but broaden our scope.

There can be no doubt that the last three years have certainly been an adventure for me and for all of you. Though it was stressful -- very stressful -- I can say that I don't regret everything.

[On her reputation for hubris] I have sometimes, probably, forgotten -- and I know I have -- to pat the back of someone or said 'thank you' enough times or maybe even once sometimes, ... I wish I were perfect. I wish I were just the nicest, nicest, nicest person on Earth. But I am a business person....If I were a man no one would ever say that I was arrogant.

We met financial expectations for the quarter in a difficult economic environment. We also signed a two-year programming agreement with Home & Garden Television to launch two new cable television series, and [launched] the Martha Stewart Kids magazine, ... These initiatives provide future revenue and earnings growth for the brand and build long-term value for shareholders.

The company and the brand have shown strength and resilience in a difficult environment, ... We are pleased to have generated increased revenue in a tough economy and continue to operate this business with a long-term outlook.

I must reclaim my good life and I must return to my good works.

My goal with this book is to help people turn their passions into successful businesses, as I did myself through many of the things I learned over the years.

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