How to Act Like a Success: 3 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Image

According to many recruitment and business surveys, over 60% of first impressions come from how you dress, speak, and behave, not from your education or experience. In the business environment – where everything revolves around clients, relationships, and trust – acting like a successful person can sometimes be just as important as professional competence.

You don't need to have brilliant investment acumen or a massive fortune like famous entrepreneurs. Simply knowing how to behave, communicate, and present yourself properly, you can create the image of a professional, trustworthy, and leadership-potential individual. This article will help you understand how to act like a successful person in business, from outward demeanor to internal actions – small things that make a big difference in your career.

Secret 1: How to create a professional image like an entrepreneur

Step 1: Choose a professional business suit

1. Prioritize a good suit, it doesn't need to be too expensive

• A suit is the most important attire in a business setting, directly impacting first impressions.

• You don't need a designer suit, but it must be neat, well-fitted, and formal.

• A professional-looking suit helps you be perceived as more serious, trustworthy, and having a good work ethic.

2. Choose safe, versatile suit colors

• You should prioritize navy blue or gray, these are two popular colors in the business world.

• These colors:

  • Are easy to pair with shirts and ties

  • Are suitable for many occasions: meetings, client appointments, interviews

  • Create a mature, professional impression

• Avoid black suits as they are often associated with formal events or funerals, and are not suitable for daily business wear.

3. Always tailor your suit to your body type

• Whether off-the-rack or custom-made, it is essential to have your suit altered by a professional tailor.

• A well-fitted suit will:

  • Fit correctly at the shoulders, chest, and waist

  • Have standard sleeve and pant lengths

  • Help create a more balanced and neat physique

• In reality, fit is more important than brand or price. A well-fitted suit always looks more professional than an expensive but ill-fitting one.

Step 2: Choose a professional phone for the business environment

1. Use a phone with a serious appearance

• Almost everyone has a phone, but in business, the appearance of the device you use also reflects your work style.

• A professional-looking phone helps you create a reliable impression when meeting clients, partners, or attending meetings.

2. Prioritize simple, neutral colors

• You should choose a phone or phone case in black or silver.

• Avoid phone cases that are too flashy, have many patterns, or bright colors because:

  • They can easily create an impression of lacking seriousness

  • They are not suitable for office and business environments

• Minimalist colors help you act like a successful person, appearing more professional and mature in the eyes of others.

3. Set a polite ringtone

• Avoid ringtones that are too loud, attention-grabbing, or easily irritating.

• Lively tunes may be suitable for entertainment, but are not appropriate in meeting rooms or client waiting areas.

• It's best to:

  • Use a soft, short ringtone

  • Or put it on vibrate mode during meetings or client appointments

Step 3: Choose an analog watch to create the image of a successful person

1. Prioritize analog watches over digital watches

• Even though phones have replaced many functions, an analog watch is still an accessory that signifies class and business demeanor.

• In a work environment and when meeting partners, an analog watch:

  • Creates a mature, composed impression

  • Complements suits and office attire

  • Shows that you value appearance and details

2. Big brand watches help elevate your image

• High-end watch brands are often associated with:

  • Success

  • Refined aesthetic taste

  • Status and reliability in business

• Wearing these watches makes you more likely to be perceived as someone with a stable lifestyle, knowledgeable, and professional.

3. Expensive watches aren't necessary, suitability is key

• If your budget is limited, you can still choose a watch with:

  • Classic design

  • Simple, easy-to-read dial

  • Subtle leather or metal strap

• Prioritize watches that:

  • Harmonize with your suit and office attire

  • Are not too large or overly elaborate

• In fact, a suitable watch is more valuable than an expensive one that doesn't match your style.

4. Watch selection principles for business people

• Avoid watches that are too flashy, colorful, or sporty

• Prioritize simplicity, balance, and versatility

• The watch should complement your image, not steal the spotlight

Step 4: Choose shoes and belts that reflect a successful person's style

1. Invest in a good pair of shoes, prioritize quality

• Shoes are a direct complement to a suit, strongly impacting the overall appearance.

• A beautiful suit will lose its appeal if paired with old, scuffed, or misshapen shoes.

• In a business environment, clean and well-structured shoes make you look more professional, polished, and trustworthy.

2. Keep shoes always clean and polished

• Regularly polish to:

  • Maintain even and beautiful leather color

  • Prevent leather from cracking or fading

• Avoid wearing leather shoes in rainy, muddy conditions or rough terrain.

• If necessary, you should:

  • Wipe them dry immediately after returning

  • Use shoe trees to prevent creasing

3. Choose shoe colors that match your suit

• The safest rule: black shoes suit most suits.

• With a navy blue suit:

  • Dark brown or walnut shoes create an elegant, sophisticated feel

• Avoid shoes that are too bright or flashy as they can detract from the seriousness in business.

4. Belts must match shoes

• Always ensure:

  • Black shoes go with black belts

  • Brown shoes go with brown belts

• The colors don't need to be an exact match, but the closer they are, the better.

• Belts should have a simple design, a neat buckle, not too large or elaborate.

Step 5: Choose a professional leather briefcase for the office

1. Invest in a leather briefcase instead of a backpack

• A leather briefcase is an iconic accessory in the business world, reflecting a professional demeanor and the image of a successful person.

• Compared to a backpack, a leather briefcase:

  • Maintains the shape of suits and shirts better

  • Avoids wrinkling, creasing shoulders, or distorting clothing

  • Creates a mature, seasoned impression when meeting clients or partners

2. Prioritize functionality along with appearance

• A leather briefcase helps you:

  • Neatly organize documents, contracts, and notebooks

  • Easily retrieve and organize items during meetings or work

• Carrying documents in an organized manner demonstrates acting like a successful person: organized, prepared, and trustworthy.

3. Choose a leather briefcase instead of metal or synthetic bags

• If there are no special security requirements, prioritize:

  • Leather briefcase or portfolio

  • Simple design, neutral colors

• Metal or graphite briefcases usually:

  • Create a rigid impression

  • Less flexible in a modern business environment

4. Principles for choosing a business leather bag

• Appropriate colors: black, dark brown, or neutral brown

• Minimalist design, not too many buckles or decorative details

• Size sufficient for documents, not too large or bulky

Step 6: Grooming for a successful image

1. Keep your face clean and tidy

• Shave regularly to create a polished, trustworthy impression.

• If you have a beard, you should:

  • Trim evenly, maintain a clear shape

  • Avoid unruly or uncontrollably long beards

• A tidy face helps you make a good first impression in a business environment.

2. Get a professional haircut

• You should choose a hairstyle that is:

  • Simple, easy to maintain

  • Suitable for the office and meeting clients

• Avoid overly elaborate, high-maintenance, or fleeting fashion hairstyles.

• Regular haircuts help you maintain a stable, serious, and disciplined image.

3. Basic but regular skincare

• Clean facial skin helps you look:

  • Healthy

  • Alert

  • Vibrant when communicating

• No complex routine needed, just:

  • Daily face washing

  • Keeping skin clean, minimizing oil and acne

4. Eliminate small details that can create a negative impression

• Pay attention to trimming:

  • Nose hair

  • Ear hair

  • Stray hairs or beard hairs

• These are small details but are easily noticed when talking closely, especially during meetings or direct discussions.

Step 7: Cover tattoos and piercings at work

1. Understand your work environment

• Although society is becoming more open, many traditional work environments still do not accept visible tattoos and piercings.

• Especially in industries like finance, law, consulting, and management, image is still highly valued.

• In reality, tattoos and piercings can still be external factors that can limit career advancement, even with strong professional competence.

2. Prioritize covering tattoos when meeting clients or interviewing

• When interviewing or meeting clients for the first time, you should:

  • Wear a vest or blazer to cover arm tattoos

  • Choose a long-sleeved shirt if needed

• Covering tattoos is not about denying your personality, but rather a smart way to create a safe and professional impression.

3. Choose simple, discreet earrings

• If you want to wear earrings, you should prioritize:

  • Small, minimalist designs

  • Neutral colors, not attention-grabbing

• Avoid large, long, or overly prominent earrings in a business environment, as they can easily distract the other person.

4. Prioritize career goals over personal style

• During career development, especially when starting out:

  • A professional image should be prioritized

  • Personality can be expressed through work style, mindset, and results

• Behaving like a successful person means adjusting your image to suit the circumstances, rather than rigidly adhering to one style.

Tip 2: How to be confident in business communication

Step 1: Project confidence in a business environment

1. Understand true confidence of successful individuals

• In business, confidence is a core factor that helps you create a professional and reliable image.

• Confidence doesn't mean talking a lot or dominating others, but rather certainty in how you present yourself and communicate.

• People with a confident demeanor are often highly regarded for their leadership abilities and work capacity.

2. Show confidence through body language

• Stand and sit up straight, avoid slouching or lowering your head.

• Make eye contact when speaking, don't avoid gazes.

• Use moderate, decisive hand gestures, avoid excessive movements.

• Stable body language shows that you are in control of the situation and yourself.

3. Control facial expressions and demeanor

• Maintain a calm, natural facial expression when communicating.

• Avoid tense expressions, furrowing your brow, or appearing impatient.

• A slight smile at the right moment helps you:

  • Build rapport easily

  • Appear more open and cooperative

4. Adjust your voice to be clear and firm

• Speak at a moderate pace, not too fast or too softly.

• Articulate clearly, avoid stuttering or repeating words.

• A steady voice shows that you understand what you are saying, even if you don't have a perfect answer yet.

5. Practice social communication skills

• Listen actively instead of just focusing on talking about yourself.

• Answer concisely and to the point when discussing work.

• Respect others' opinions, even if you disagree.

Step 2: Maintain proper posture to project confidence

1. Stand tall to convey control and competence

• A straight standing posture shows that you are:

  • Confident

  • Proactive

  • In control of the situation

• Even if you've been accustomed to poor posture for a long time, daily practice can significantly improve it in a short period.

• In business, proper posture is the foundation of a successful person's image.

2. Avoid slouching, keep your spine straight

• Don't hunch your shoulders or bend your back when standing or sitting.

• Always consciously keep your spine naturally straight, without stiffness.

• A slouching posture often gives the impression of:

  • Tiredness

  • Lack of energy

  • Lack of confidence

• Conversely, a straight back makes you look more alert and professional immediately.

3. Open your shoulders to create an impression of openness and certainty

• Gently pull your shoulder blades back.

• This movement helps:

  • Your chest open more

  • A balanced posture

  • Creating the impression that you are ready to communicate and cooperate

• People with open shoulders are often perceived as confident and easy to work with.

4. Always keep your chin up, don't lower your head

• Avoid looking down too much when talking or walking.

• Lowering your head often creates a feeling of:

  • Shyness

  • Avoidance

  • Indecision

• Keeping your chin level helps you:

  • Make better eye contact

  • Project an honest, clear image

  • Align with a positive business relationship-building demeanor

Step 3: Smile correctly to build business relationships

1. Smiling helps you gain trust more easily

• In a business environment, a smile makes you:

  • Friendly

  • Approachable

  • Create a good first impression

• Conversely, a sad, tense, or indifferent face easily:

  • Makes others hesitant to approach

  • Creates a bad first impression

• A poor first impression often makes building relationships much more difficult.

2. Actively observe your facial expressions

• In social situations or when meeting new people, you might unconsciously:

  • Frown

  • Appear anxious

  • Look overly serious

• Recognizing and adjusting your facial expressions promptly helps you:

  • Feel more comfortable communicating

  • Become more approachable and easy to talk to

3. Change emotions with simple actions

• Just by switching from a tense expression to a slight smile:

  • Your mood will improve

  • The person you're talking to will also feel more at ease

• This is a simple yet effective way to behave like a successful person in business.

4. Practice smiling in daily life

• Try smiling when:

  • Walking down the company hallway

  • Meeting colleagues or partners

• You will notice:

  • Others are more likely to smile back

  • The communication atmosphere becomes more open

• This habit helps you build a positive image naturally.

Step 4: Make eye contact to build trust

1. Maintain eye contact while talking

• Looking into the eyes of the person you're talking to and nodding slightly when they speak sends a clear message that:

  • You are listening

  • You care about what they are sharing

  • You are fully focused on the conversation

• In business, appropriate eye contact helps:

  • Build trust

  • Create a feeling of respect

  • Make the other person more open and willing to share information

2. Eye contact is the foundation of connection

• People who maintain good eye contact are often perceived as:

  • Sincere

  • Confident

  • Easy to collaborate with

• This is a crucial factor in building long-term relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues.

3. Practice eye contact in simple situations

• Start with everyday conversations like:

  • Talking to colleagues

  • Brief exchanges at work

• When you tend to look away, try to:

  • Hold eye contact a little longer

  • Combine with natural smiling and nodding

4. Avoid staring, which creates pressure

• Effective eye contact isn't about not blinking.

• Instead:

  • Look naturally

  • Pause appropriately

  • Combine with friendly facial expressions

• When eye contact is accompanied by a smile and listening gestures, the other person will feel comfortable, not scrutinized.

Step 5: Maintain open body language when communicating

1. Avoid crossing your arms or legs when talking

• When sitting or standing, keep your arms and legs open, not crossed.

• Crossed arms or legs are often interpreted as:

  • Closed off

  • Defensive

  • Unwilling to engage

• Conversely, an open posture shows that you are open, receptive, and willing to listen.

2. Show your palms when conversing

• When talking, naturally showing your palms helps to:

  • Create a sense of honesty

  • Reduce psychological distance with the other person

• This is a small detail but has a strong impact on trust in business communication.

3. Maintain a balanced and relaxed posture

• Always ensure:

  • Straight back

  • Relaxed shoulders, not stiff

  • Head held straight, not tilted too much to one side

• A balanced posture makes you appear:

  • Calm

  • Confident

  • In control of your emotions and the situation

4. Body language directly affects impressions

• People with open body language are often perceived as:

  • Trustworthy

  • Easy to collaborate with

  • Possessing good communication skills

• This is an important factor to behave like a successful person in business, even if you don't say much.

Step 6: Use professional language in the workplace

1. Understand professional language correctly

• Professional language is not about using complex words or condescending tones.

• The core is:

  • Using appropriate words for the environment

  • Respecting the listener

  • Avoiding slang, vulgar language, or sarcasm

• In business, words reflect how successful people behave just as quickly as appearance.

2. Always respect the person you're talking to

• Absolutely avoid:

  • Swearing

  • Criticizing, ridiculing

  • Making comments that embarrass others

• Simple but effective principle:

  • If you can't say something positive, it's best not to say anything

• This attitude helps you:

  • Maintain a professional image

  • Avoid unnecessary conflicts

  • Build long-term credibility

3. Use the correct "industry language"

• When attending events or working in a specific field, you need to:

  • Understand and use the correct technical terms

  • Communicate according to the standards of that profession

• Avoid speaking in a manner that is:

  • Overly casual, as with friends

  • Lacking seriousness in a professional context

• Using the correct terminology shows that you:

  • Understand the profession

  • Are well-prepared

  • Are credible in the eyes of industry peers

4. Master the content to speak confidently

• When you clearly understand the work and knowledge you are discussing:

  • Your voice will be more assertive

  • Your arguments will be clearer

  • You'll be less verbose or hesitant

• Confidence in communication comes from actual competence, not from using fancy words.

Step 7: Use appropriate physical contact in business

1. Understand personal boundaries before making contact

• In a work environment, physical contact should be used with moderation and in appropriate situations.

• The goal is not to create excessive intimacy, but to:

  • Convey confidence

  • Show goodwill and respect

• Always observe the other person's reactions to avoid making them uncomfortable.

2. Shake hands firmly to make a good first impression

• Handshakes are one of the most important actions in business communication.

• A proper handshake should be:

  • Firm and decisive

  • Not too strong, but not weak either

• A too-light handshake often gives the impression of:

  • Lack of confidence

  • Hesitation

  • Indecisiveness

• A firm handshake helps you make an impression from the very first seconds.

3. Friendly contact with acquaintances, appropriately

• With close colleagues or known partners, you can:

  • Lightly pat them on the back to show acknowledgment

  • Greet them with appropriate familiarity

• In practice, experienced business people often use this action to:

  • Create a sense of closeness

  • Strengthen relationships

• However, this action should only be applied when:

  • Both parties are acquainted

  • The other person seems comfortable with physical contact

4. Observe before touching others

• Not everyone likes to be touched, even in a professional setting.

• Before making contact, you should:

  • Observe body language

  • Respect personal space

• Respecting boundaries shows that you are discerning and act like a successful person.

Step 8: Demonstrate approachability in business communication

1. Understand extroversion in the workplace correctly

• Not all successful people are naturally extroverted.

• Many entrepreneurs are actually introverts, but they know how to behave like successful people at important times.

• The key is not to change your personality, but to be more proactive when meeting clients, partners, or attending events.

2. Practice proactively introducing yourself and getting to know people

• Try to:

  • Approach and greet new people

  • Briefly introduce yourself and your work

• This action helps you:

  • Appear confident and open

  • Create an impression of being dynamic and willing to connect

• Starting with short conversations will help you get used to it and feel less shy.

3. Genuinely care about the other person

• Lead the conversation by:

  • Asking questions

  • Listening to the answers

• When you genuinely care, the other person will:

  • Feel respected

  • Be more open to sharing

• This is an effective communication method that helps build lasting business relationships.

4. Use humor appropriately

• A little humor helps:

  • Make the conversation more relaxed

  • Reduce tension when meeting new people

• However, avoid:

  • Offensive stories

  • Jokes that are offensive to gender, race, or personal preferences

• Safe and subtle humor will help you become likeable while maintaining professionalism.

Tip 3: Essential skills for business success

Step 1: Demonstrate responsibility in business

1. Keep your commitments

• Responsibility is best demonstrated by doing what you say you will do.

• Always:

  • Complete tasks as promised

  • Ensure quality and results meet expectations

• In business, people who keep their promises are often seen as trustworthy and easy to work with long-term.

2. Respect others' time

• Always be punctual for:

  • Meetings

  • Calls

  • Scheduled work sessions

• Punctuality shows that you are:

  • Disciplined

  • Respectful of partners and colleagues

  • Able to manage work effectively

• Being late is often perceived as a lack of seriousness, regardless of the reason.

3. Be honest in your work approach

• If issues arise, you should:

  • Notify promptly

  • Explain clearly

  • Propose specific solutions

• Transparency helps you maintain credibility even when results are not perfect.

4. Avoid backbiting and spreading rumors

• Do not gossip, speculate, or speak ill of partners or colleagues behind their backs.

• This behavior:

  • Damages your personal image

  • Makes others wary of collaborating with you

• People who behave like successful individuals understand that reputation is built on actions, not gossip.

Step 2: Clearly demonstrate ambition in your career

1. Correctly understand the ambition of successful people

• Ambition is the inner drive that propels you to strive for more and achieve higher results.

• Most successful business people share the common trait of knowing what they want and being willing to work hard to achieve it.

• When you have clear ambition, you will:

  • Work more decisively

  • Focus more on your goals

  • Naturally exude confidence in your behavior and speech

2. Define the image of the life you want to achieve

• Take time to visualize specifically:

  • What position you hold at work

  • Who you work with and in what environment

  • How many people you are presenting to

  • Your financial life and lifestyle

• Clear visualization helps goals become real and achievable, instead of just vague desires.

3. Turn the image into actionable direction

• With a clear image, it will be easier for you to:

  • Identify necessary skills

  • Know which opportunities to focus on

  • Avoid wasting time on things that don't serve your goals

• This is a practical way to behave like a successful person, always having clear direction in every decision.

4. Ambition makes you look more confident

• People with clear goals tend to:

  • Speak more decisively

  • Act with purpose

  • Hesitate less before opportunities

• This confidence doesn't come from words, but from the belief that you are on the right track.

Step 3: Set clear goals to turn ideas into results

1. Distinguish between dreams and goals

• Successful businesspeople don't just dream big; they also know how to turn ideas into concrete actions.

• Dreams inspire you, but clear goals help you:

  • Focus on the right tasks

  • Measure progress

  • Create real value and results

2. Translate vision into specific goals

• A good vision needs to be broken down into:

  • Clear steps

  • Trackable milestones

• This helps you:

  • Not be overwhelmed by big goals

  • Know exactly what to do next

• This is a core skill for people who behave like successful businesspeople.

3. Apply the SMART principle when setting goals

• Each goal should be:

  • Specific: know clearly what you want to achieve

  • Measurable: have clear evaluation criteria

  • Achievable: suitable for current capabilities

  • Realistic: not fanciful or vague

  • Time-bound: specify a completion deadline

4. Start with immediate and achievable goals

• If the long-term goal is to hold a senior management position, start by:

  • Becoming a team leader or supervisor within 1-2 years

  • Developing team leadership skills

  • Demonstrating clear work results

• These small but steady steps will bring you closer to your big goals.

Step 4: Develop networking skills in business

1. Understand the true role of networking

• Business revolves around relationships, and networking is the most effective way to:

  • Find new job opportunities

  • Meet potential clients

  • Connect with superiors, partners, or industry peers

• This is a fundamental skill that helps you expand opportunities and develop a sustainable career.

2. Approach networking with a giving mindset

• When networking, avoid appearing opportunistic or disingenuous.

• Others often avoid those who only seek personal gain.

• Instead:

  • Share useful information

  • Help within your means

  • Create value before expecting anything in return

• A "giving" mindset helps you build genuine and lasting relationships.

3. Practice starting conversations naturally

• Networking is a skill that can be honed; the more you practice, the better you get.

• When starting a conversation, you can use simple questions like:

  • "What brings you to this event?"

  • "How do you find today's program?"

  • Or simply a brief, polite greeting

• Simple opening lines help break the ice and create a comfortable atmosphere.

4. Listening is as important as speaking

• In an effective conversation:

  • Let others speak

  • Listen actively

  • Respond relevantly

• Listening helps you:

  • Understand the other person better

  • Make them feel respected and valued

• This is a key factor in behaving like a successful person in business.

Step 5: Manage time effectively to work like a successful person

1. Understand the true role of time management

• Success in business always involves a large workload and a packed schedule.

• Good time management helps you:

  • Focus on important tasks

  • Complete work on time

  • Maintain energy and long-term performance

• This is a core skill for people who behave like successful individuals.

2. Prioritize tasks, don't overcommit

• There are always more tasks than time allows.

• Therefore, you need to:

  • Identify the most important tasks

  • Actively say "no" to unnecessary tasks

• If you're focused on a big project and asked to help with a small task:

  • Suggest additional resources

  • Or politely decline if it affects the main results

• Doing too many things at once often leads to:

  • Average results

  • Stress

  • Long-term burnout

3. Allocate time according to importance

• When organizing tasks, you should:

  • Spend the most time on tasks linked to personal and career goals

  • Reduce time on tasks with less impact

• This allocation helps you:

  • Move faster towards long-term goals

  • Avoid wasting time on non-value-adding tasks

4. Time management is energy management

• Effective workers are not the busiest, but those who:

  • Know how to choose worthwhile tasks

  • Do them at the right time

  • Maintain stamina in their work

References

1. https://www.fashionbeans.com/2013/what-tailoring-a-suit-can-do-for-you
2. https://www.businessinsider.com/why-wrist-watches-wont-go-out-of-style-2013-5
3. https://www.businessinsider.com/a-visual-guide-to-matching-suits-and-dress-shoes-2014-3
4. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303650204579375432650886104
5. https://corporette.com/tattoo-sleeves-in-the-workplace/
6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2011/10/25/visible-tattoos-and-other-corporate-no-nos/#26e9bcb97afc
7. https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/09/09/5-ways-to-immediately-appear-more-confident/
8. https://ca.askmen.com/grooming/project/top-10-ways-to-show-confidence-with-body-language_3.html

Translator: Leigh Kennedy Ly.