A high-school friend wanted to know how I built a multimillion-dollar company. I thought about answering her privately, but since I've been blessed to share my message on a larger scale, I figure that maybe readers might want to see the seven steps to build a multimillion-dollar empire:

Find your gift.

When you start out, you must realize that you have raw talents, skills, and abilities. Sometimes you'll have to go out of your way to find them for yourself. No one will find your gifts for you. You have to search for them on your own. Once you do, make a special effort to do what you do best, whether it's dancing, drawing, or driving.

As a teenager, I would write poems to impress the girls I liked. One of these girls loved it so much that she continued to talk with me. I decided to write her more poems. Because she helped me exercise my gift of expressing my words through poetry, I made her my wife. Soon enough, she encouraged me to use my words and tell my story.

Tell your story.

No one has the same exact story as you do! It doesn't matter what profession you're in — you must still learn to tell your story. When I started to tell my story, it taught me a lot about myself. It also led me to better opportunities because it improved my communication skills. What's your story? When are you going to share it?

Most people should take the time to think about their story. Your story is important because it tells the world where you've been, who you are, and where you're about to go. Truthfully, everyone wants to know your story. Do yourself a favor and write your life story out in 5-10 pages. Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be perfect. Who knows? Maybe it might turn into a book!

Make a product.

As I learned to tell my story, I decided to write a book about it. However, I didn't just want the book to be about me, but about what others can do to take charge of their lives. My burning desire led me to quit MBA school at Penn State University and write my first book, "You Are the Boss!" in less than 10 days. That same year, I started my business and sold thousands of copies.

If you want to build a multimillion-dollar business, you need a product to sell and a story to tell. When you look at the biggest brands out there, they share a story along with their products and services. Thankfully, it doesn't cost that much to make a product that fits the needs of the people you're trying to serve. What kind of product can you make within the next few months?