or die, but the next morning at 8:00, i had five major architectural and engineering companies callingingut that my husband was seriously ill. >> the business was that good. >> yes. >> they all wanted it. >> they all wanted it. >> reporter: with no training in architecture, the former school teacher used common sense and her psychology degree to find her way. that day she found her courage. the liquid time. >> my husband had a bar in the conference room, so i said i'm going in this bathroom and get fortified for this crazy board meeting. >> and she said, i' tell you what. i have a legacy and i have three daughters and my daughters are going to take over this business. >> she actually grew the business adding to its list of 50 million dollar complex at howard university and the national civil rights museum in memphis. by 2000, mckissack-daniel took over the helm and moved the headquarters from nashville to new york. >> this is a competitive city. >> this is a come petty city. >> frank sinatra said if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. >> and that's my sochlkt i was so glad whe