SM: You are a former model. How do you deal with attention from your looks in the business world?
Stefani Schaeffer: For beautiful women in general there’s always that preconceived notion that “Oh, you’re going to get by professionally on your looks.” The best way to overcome that is to shock people with brains. Strive to be the best you can be and do something everyday that makes you a little bit smarter, that broadens your horizons a little bit more. You can have beauty and brains and be a nice person too. And that’s the real kicker. Drop the attitude, check the ego at the door and then don’t care what people think.

SM: When you’re in charge, is it ever okay to admit that you’re wrong or scared?
Stefani Schaeffer: When you have a team working for you, they’re looking to you for an example, so you must be continuously positive—even if you have doubts. But that’s not to say that if you make a wrong decision [you should deny it]. You don’t always make the right decision, but recognizing it, and not being afraid to admit it and move forward, that’s the sign of a true leader.