When I first started working I got a job that required an architect. So I told the lady that I was an architect. In my heart and mind I could do the work. An architect doesn’t do engineering. The engineer doesn’t necessarily do the architecture, either.

So an artist like me can imagine every solution. I prided myself on being capable of all kinds of things, so I told the lady I was an architect. I was 23, and I shouldn’t have lied. I had the contract in writing. I was so uneducated when it came to legal terms. My ability to please her was dynamic, but my lack of attention to the details of written language.

I get sued and had to give back all the money I had made. I had already paid taxes, and I couldn’t get that back from the government. That was a hard lesson for me to learn.

It took me ten youthful years of being in business… correcting and recovering… from that mistake. I pay that money back, and I became a better business person.

I remember sleeping on my friends’ floor on moving blankets for a year. I had to rent out my house to pay off that debt.

I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned to be more patient, more correct, more exacting in what I want to say with design and art.

At Louisiana state university, the Dean of the school of music wanted me to study opera, but I wanted to be a movie star. When I told him I was leaving for California he said: “don’t ever speak to me again!”

When I left my English professor gave me a book called The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Everyone knew that I was on my way to do something special. I hitchhiked to California with three rides. When my mother drove me to the freeway entrance, she said: “you’re never coming back, are you?”

I said: “no.”

She said: “I’ve taught you everything I can teach you. You’re on your own. I’m going to just rely on god to take care of you.”

Over the years I’ve thought that letting go of a child was the best thing in mother could do. That enables a child to do Phillip his or her own sense of order and destiny. When children stay home past eighteen they end up being crippled by the help they get from their parents. It’s better to be on your own.

I was always an orderly child. If I had a suitcase full of clothes I pack them neatly.