If you’re like most startup founders, you’re probably so consumed with developing the next big thing that you forget to think about your image (or simply don’t have the time for it). But after your product starts gaining traction, you’ll need to give it some serious thought. It’s not just the workspace that needs to be considered, however. Startup founders are, for better or worse, the face of their company and the way they look and behave can make or break a startup, especially in the earlier and more critical phases.
When a startup begins to morph into a larger, more professional organization, the founder has a lot of critical decisions to make, among them whether to remain in the company or to sell it. If you do choose to remain in a leadership role within the company you founded, expect for your image to come under scrutiny.
The importance of the founder’s image
Taking a look at your image doesn’t mean that you have to turn into a 20-something hoodie-wearing male. Your image shouldn’t match the startup founder stereotype, but it should match your brand. The point is to offer your clients and potential investors a clear, unified image that they can easily associate your product with.
Whether we’d like to admit it or not, clothing and hair have a lot to do with that. Remember, the culture of an organization starts at the top, and your style will also guide the growing number of employees in your organization in terms of how they come dressed for work as well as how they represent the company to others.
The easy solution: A personal uniform
This may seem like more of a nuisance than anything else, however. After all, who has time to figure out whether an outfit is really on-brand every single day? That’s why, especially for startup founders, uniforms are the way to go. While this might mean coming up with actual uniforms for your company, it doesn’t have to. Focus instead on developing a person uniform.
Your personal uniform could involve a hoodie, yes, but it could also mean wearing a suit every day. If your brand is edgy, don’t shy away from black hair dye, hip haircuts and structured, bold jackets. Whatever look you choose, make sure it’s manageable and that you can stick with it. Changing it up entirely should be as big a decision as rebranding your whole company.
An effective startup wardrobe is one that’s composed of staples that can easily be worn together, taking out the guesswork of what you should wear that day. In this case, more isn’t necessarily better. Having a few select items in your wardrobe that you know fit well, look good, and reflect the company culture is way better than having one that’s simply full. The most important principle behind developing your personal uniform, however, is to make sure that the look makes you feel confident. In an environment where confidence is key, you can use your personal uniform to help get your name out there.
