You Are What You Wear: How Your Personal Brand Defines Your Startup [Huffington Post]

Over the years, we've discovered that most VCs look more closely at the founder than they do the actual idea being pitched. They want the individual standing in front of them to give off an aura of success.

When it's time to get dressed for a big day, consider the following:

1. Highlight Something That Makes You Unique – The idea of adjusting your personal style isn't meant to shove you in a box with everyone else. Rather, it's meant to highlight and accentuate what actually makes you different while still providing the impression that you know what you're doing.
2. Take Thoughtful Risks – If a journalist is meeting with 10 founders and one decides to show up in yellow Dr. Martens with smiley faces on them, who do you think the journalist is going to remember most? Don't be afraid to push stylistic boundaries.
3. Understand the Visual Cues You're Providing – Be purposeful with how you dress. You are in control of the message your physical appearance sends, so ensure the message that's received is the one you intend to transmit. Unfortunately, there aren't any autocorrect or do-over options in this department.
4. Don't Be Afraid to Reinvent Yourself – …don't hesitate to try different things and reinvent yourself every so often. Variety is the spice of life, and changing things up will keep your colleagues and potential partners interested and on their toes.

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An entrepreneur's appearance can be just as important as his or her business model. It's key to find what makes you unique, carefully push the envelope, and really put some thought into what your image is saying about you and your brand.

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Curated from You Are What You Wear: How Your Personal Brand Defines Your Startup [Huffington Post]

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