Arlene Dickinson doesn't want money to define her

Arlene Dickinson won't say how much she's worth, but she is willing to talk about how she feels about money.

"It's the wrong handle to have people think of you by your worth, your net worth...because that's not how I define myself and I don't want to be defined by that with other people."

In a candid conversation with Piya, the entrepreneur and investor says it would be folly not to acknowledge the privilege and benefits money has afforded her, but also says it's not a cure-all.

"(Money) doesn't solve being content with being who you are as a person...In fact, it can actually make you suspicious of the things you do have because you don't know - are people being nice to you because you do have money? Are people treating you differently because you have success?"

Arlene says her modest upbringing informed how she approaches money today, with grace and gratitude.

"I grew up with nothing... my clothes were Salvation Army, hand-me-downs. Groceries were an occasion, not something you got to do when you got hungry...I find comfort that I have the money I have because I can take care of myself and my children and my grandchildren and I can help with their education and can help give money to charities I care about. I'm so grateful for that."

That ethos extends to Arlene's business practices. She draws a firm line between her style and that of her former fellow Dragons' Den star Kevin O'Leary, who she once said represents "capitalism in its very worst form."

"I believe capitalism with a heart is the solution, because charities and social causes need to have business models attached to them so they can be sustainable...I think capitalists who are greedy is never someone I'm going to relate to."

If you think it's easy for Arlene to express humility about her own wealth given how much of it she has, she says think again.

"I don't think it is easy to be humble about it... No matter whether you have money or don't have money, I think you have to work at your value system constantly."