Work Smarts: What CEOs Say You Need To Know to Get Ahead

Chapter 4

Asking for a Raise

When I walk into Chris Burch’s office, he’s curled up like a cat on his sofa chair.

I’ve been warned beforehand that this billionaire and ex-husband of fashion designer, Tory Burch, is a little bit eccentric. And true to form, when he sees me enter, he uncurls and springs up with a gigantic smile, all while darting his eyes from my shoes—“How lovely!”—to my gold cuff buttons—“They look just like screw heads”—to my dress—“What a beautiful color.”

Chris is the quintessential company of one—he has never worked for anyone in his life because he’s a constant entrepreneur. His biggest success was creating the fashion brand that bears his ex-wife’s name and now he’s out on his own with his C. Wonder retail chain, along with various investments from Powermat (wireless powering), to Liquipel (water repellant), to five-star hotels.

“You ever been to Indonesia? I own a beautiful resort there, just near Bali,” he said. “You must go. Pink just stayed there. I’ll give you a nice price.”

I ask him what his biggest career mistake was and what he learned from it.

“Everything, so many things. I invested in codfish. I didn’t realize commodities moved that market. I learned you have to invest in something you have control over. With cod, the feed costs more than the fish. Whenever I think I’m really smart, I realize I have to be careful . . . when things are the best—sell, when things are the worst—buy!”

The conversation jumps from his childhood learning disabilities to ...