At the end of drama school I made a contract with myself: I'd try acting for five years. I was 26. I had already spent eight years working in restaurants and gas stations. So I had seen enough small businesses to understand that that's what acting is: a small business.

I never really studied business in school. I kind of wish I had but how boring is that?

I think I've got my business notions and my sense for that sort of thing from my dad. My dad never had a chance to go to school. He couldn't read and write. But he was so smart. He was just one of those people that could just make the most of anything and everything that he had to work with.

Most executives many scientists and almost all business school graduates believe that if you analyze data this will give you new ideas. Unfortunately this belief is totally wrong. The mind can only see what it is prepared to see.

I started out mopping floors waiting tables and tending bar at my dad's tavern. I put myself through school working odd jobs and night shifts. I poured my heart and soul into a small business. And when I saw how out-of-touch Washington had become with the core values of this great nation I put my name forward and ran for office.

The business schools reward difficult complex behavior more than simple behavior but simple behavior is more effective.

When I was in elementary school I used to write letters to myself. I'd write letters and go 'Dear Kristen-at-16-years-old happy birthday. I hope you're doing something.'

My happiest memory of childhood was my first birthday in reform school. This teacher took an interest in me. In fact he gave me the first birthday presents I ever got: a box of Cracker Jacks and a can of ABC shoe polish.

I left school on my 15th birthday.

I trained to be a priest - started to. I went to seminary school when I was 11. I wanted to be a priest but when they told me I could never have sex not even on my birthday I changed my mind.