17 quotes that take you inside the mind of billionaire investor Mark Cuban

"The billion was, 'I can't f---ing believe it.' Literally, I was sitting in front of a computer, naked, hitting the refresh because we were close — waiting until my net worth hit that billion when the stock price got to a certain point, and then I kinda screamed and jumped around and then got dressed."

[Business Insider, August 2014]

"If you're prepared and you know what it takes, it's not a risk. You just have to figure out how to get there. There is always a way to get there."

[Inc., 2015]

"My dad says it over and over, 'Today's the youngest you're ever going to be. You've got to live like it. You've got to live young every day.' And that's what I try to do."

[Business Insider, March 2014]

"I micromanage you until I trust you. It's a back and forth continually… If I send you 30 emails, I expect quick responses and direct action. Then we'll go to weekly reports. And I want the bad news first. I want to read, 'God dammit, we lost this sale.' I want to know the setbacks so that I can help you."

[Inc., May 2014]

"I've learned that it doesn't matter how many times you failed. You only have to be right once. I tried to sell powdered milk. I was an idiot lots of times, and I learned from them all."

[Smart Business, 2011]

"Relaxing is for the other guy. I may be sitting in front of the TV, but I'm not watching it unless I think there is something I can learn from it. I'm thinking about things I can use in my business and the TV is just there."

["How To Win At The Sport Of Business," November 2013]

"Keep a pulse on the stress levels and accomplishments of your people and reward them. My first company, MicroSolutions, when we had a record sales month, or someone did something special, I would walk around handing out $100 bills to salespeople."

[Entrepreneur, January 2012]

"Everybody thinks that we are in the basketball business. It's an NBA game; we're not in the basketball business. We're in the business of creating unique experiences."

[The Tennessean, May 2014]

"Work like there is someone working 24 hours a day to take it all away from you."

[Inc., 2015]

"I'm the one guy who says don't force the stupid people to be quiet — I want to know who the morons are."

[The Tennessean, May 2014]

"It's not about money or connections — it's the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone ... And if it fails, you learn from what happened and do a better job next time."

[Business Insider, July 2012]

"I love to compete. To me, business is the ultimate sport. It's always on. There is always someone trying to beat me."

[Inc., 2015]

"A sure sign of failure for a startup is when someone sends me logo-embroidered polo shirts. If your people are at shows and in public, it's okay to buy for your own employees, but if you really think people are going to wear your branded polo when they're out and about, you are mistaken and have no idea how to spend your money."

[Entrepreneur, January 2012]

"Don't start a company unless it's an obsession and something you love. If you have an exit strategy, it's not an obsession."

[Entrepreneur, January 2012]

"I'm a believer that you accomplish much, much more with direct relationships than by using an intermediary. And that cash you keep in the bank can be the difference between staying alive as a small business, or not."

[Blog Maverick, March 2012]

"Treat your customers like they own you. Because they do."

[Entrepreneur, March 2011]

"No balls, no babies. ... Once you are prepared and you think you have every angle of preparation covered, you have to go for it."

["How To Win At The Sport Of Business," November 2013]