Well, Sonia, what you've shown in your life is that it doesn't matter where you come from, what you look like or what challenges life throws your way, no dream is beyond reach in the United States of America.

CNN: Transcript of Obama-Sotomayor announcement

What would happen if you thought of challenges in your small business like you do cherries: a sweet opportunity to be had if you can first remove the potential danger?

FORBES: Discover Opportunities With The Cherry Principle

It also allows for other busy people like myself to help you when you face challenges because we can review your plan quickly.

FORBES: Q&A With Nell Merlino: Architect Of Take Your Daughters And Sons To Work Day And Count Me In

For more serious challenges like a criminal conviction, MacDougall says you should be prepared to talk about what you did and how you've changed.

FORBES

Young people need direction and mentors -- people like my mother, who instilled in me the values you need to rise above the challenges of poverty and despair.

CNN: Chicago's violence took my dad, friends

For two years, I had the privilege of traveling across this country, and I had a chance to talk to people like you, and go to diners and sit in barbershops, and hear directly about the challenges that all of you are facing in your lives, and the opportunities that you're taking advantage of, and all the things that we face together as a nation.

WHITEHOUSE: "White House to Main Street" Town Hall: Elyria, OH

And like most of you, my prayers sometimes are general: Lord, give me the strength to meet the challenges of my office.

WHITEHOUSE: National Prayer Breakfast