The founder and CEO of Impossible Foods, which brought the world the plant-based "Impossible Burger," proudly thinks that anything is possible.

In fact, Patrick Brown believes being unapologetically optimistic is the key to success.

"You have to not only be optimistic," Brown told CNBC. "I think you have to be unreasonably optimistic."

The Stanford University professor emeritus of biology decided he wanted to make a positive environmental impact in the world, and in 2012, he started a company aimed at curbing greenhouse gases by reducing meat consumption.

"Of course we're going to be successful!" he recalled saying at the time.