“We need to get out of the peacetime footing that we are on and we need to get onto a wartime footing against this climate crisis. During World War II, the US allocated 50% of GDP roughly to fighting, and I believe we need to get to 50% of GDP sustained over 5 to 10 years.”

— Albert Wenger

Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, early Bitcoin and cryptocurrency advocate

The quote archive

Wisdom in fragments

A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.

One of the ideas you hear often is that in America there is a culture where not only is it ok to fail, but it's almost expected – like a badge of honor. This is true to a point but that implies a cut-throat culture that is more legend than reality and is actually bad for innovation.

— Matthew W. Barzun

U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom

I was sitting on a train—the British invention that transformed trade and travel, and was embraced very early in the United States. In my hand was an iPhone – another revolutionary advance, this time created by Americans with its iconic appearance designed by an Englishman. There are countless examples like these.

— Matthew W. Barzun

U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom

Well, do you remember those Venn Diagrams from school? Those overlapping circles to represent what two things do and don't have in common? The overlap of these two is incredibly fertile territory and this is exactly where businesses in the U.S. and UK see each other – places where they both need to do business and want to do business.

— Matthew W. Barzun

U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom

I don't micro-manage, I give them enough rope to hang themselves. If I trust you, I'll let you find your way, because that could lead to something I hadn't thought of. Lastly, I don't work with anyone I don't like.

— Donna Karan

Renowned Fashion Designer & Founder of DKNY Brand

A designer is a designer, whether you're designing a dress or a toothbrush. The integrity, skill and creativity are all the same.

— Anne Klein

Iconic Fashion Designer & Founder of Anne Klein Fashion Brand

A brand has to be authentic and be born of a personal passion. If you, its creator, doesn't want the product, no one else will. If you want it, chances are it will be wanted around the world. Desires are universal and speak in every language.

— Donna Karan

Renowned Fashion Designer & Founder of DKNY Brand

The founder is the innovator, the one who sets the wheels in motion. Once it's up and running, the founder's job is to empower and inspire others with the message, to nurture and make believers out of everyone who comes close, internally and externally.

— Donna Karan

Renowned Fashion Designer & Founder of DKNY Brand

I wasn't thinking about success or being 'big' or creating a huge business. I was thinking about answering a need, a void, creating something that wasn't there before.

— Donna Karan

Renowned Fashion Designer & Founder of DKNY Brand

When I was 15, I rearranged the sales floor in the boutique I was working in and was the best salesperson in the store. At 25, when my boss Anne Klein died, I took over designing and changed the look of the collection to make it younger and sexier, and also changed how it was shown and sold in the showroom – not to mention just having had a baby while all this was happening.

— Donna Karan

Renowned Fashion Designer & Founder of DKNY Brand

Stay undefined and stay curious. Our world is changing so rapidly that the only way to survive, thrive and adjust is to have a deep and constant level of curiosity.

— Troy Carter