How to look like a $1,000,000

Today, I want to share a quick story that perfectly captures the value of perception. 

You see, whether we like it or not, perception can change everything, how people treat us, what they assume about us, and even how we feel about ourselves.

So, here’s what happened:

A few nights ago, I went to a local shisha lounge with a couple of my friends. 

They’re 23 and 26, and I’m 31, but I usually get told I look around 24 (I’ll take it). 

This spot isn’t exactly the Ritz—it’s got that “no weapons, please” sign on the front door. 

You know the type. It’s not dangerous, but it’s filled with street guys who’ve done well for themselves. 

The kind of place where everyone’s flashing something shiny: diamond watches, Cartier glasses, chains—basically, if you don’t have a bit of ice on, you’re invisible.

Now, my friends and I typically roll in super low-key. 

No name brands, hoodies, zero jewelry, nothing that stands out. 

Just three dudes looking to smoke some shisha, people-watch, and have a good time. 

We don’t really fit the vibe, but that’s exactly why we like it. 

Even the waitresses keep it professional. They’re nice, sure, but it’s all business. Serve, smile, move on.

Except for this last time.

We walk in, and right away, something felt different. 

Dana, our usual Colombian waitress, greets us, but instead of just smiling and grabbing our menus, she lingered. 

Made extra eye contact, started chatting a lot more, she even seemed nervous, which threw me off. 

The place was busy as hell, and yet she kept coming back to our table. I thought maybe she was just in a good mood.

Then there’s the other waitress: Moroccan, strict, all-business. 

I don’t think she’s ever said more than five words to us before. 

But this time? All smiles. Compliments. 

Even a little touchy and I’m thinking, what the hell is going on here?

So I glance up at the big mirror behind the bar, and it hits me like a brick.

We looked loaded.

I was wearing a Louis Vuitton hoodie, diamond bracelet, Rolex, and fresh white kicks.

My friends? Custom Cartier glasses and high-end watches. It was the opposite of our usual college-student look. 

Suddenly, we didn’t just look like we had money. We looked like the kind of guys who could drop cash without blinking.

Everything clicked when the Moroccan waitress asked us what we do for work, and we casually said, “We’re business owners.”

Her eyes lit up, and she handed over her Instagram. 

Now, I’m not saying these women were gold diggers. 

But, let's be real, most people are drawn to certain types.

And while our behavior hadn’t changed at all, our appearance had, and so had their perception of us.

The Lesson? Perception Isn’t Reality, But It Sure as Hell Affects It

Here’s the thing: we didn’t become different people in the span of a week. We didn’t act any different. But our desirability shot up simply because of what we looked like on the outside. That’s a powerful lesson, and it extends far beyond the walls of a shisha lounge.

Take the same principle into a boardroom, a job interview, or a business pitch. 

If you’re pitching a high-end client, you don’t show up in jeans and a T-shirt, even if that’s your normal look.

If you want to be taken seriously, you dress for it. Just like you wouldn’t show up to a streetwear convention in a three-piece suit.

People, clients, customers, investors, will subconsciously make decisions about you before you even speak. 

It’s human nature. And while we can’t change how people judge, we can influence what they see.

The Power of Image

Don’t underestimate the power of a first impression. 

In business, it’s not always the guy with the best product or service who wins; it’s the guy who looks like he belongs. 

That doesn’t mean faking it or being inauthentic. 

But understand that how you present yourself can make people decide in an instant whether they want to trust you, hire you, or invest in you.

For us that night, we went from the quiet, hoodie-wearing guys who just blend in to suddenly being the center of attention. 

We didn’t change who we are, but we did change what people thought we were.

Tailoring Perception to Fit Your Goals

There’s a time and a place for every look. 

When you’re starting out in business, you might not have the bankroll for high-end suits and flashy watches, but that’s fine. 

Play up your underdog status, show people you’re scrappy. But when you do have the tools to upgrade your image, do it strategically. 

You don’t show up to a black-tie event in flip-flops just to make a statement.

Just like how those waitresses saw us differently based on our appearance, people in business will too. Adjust accordingly.

But remember: your appearance should always align with your story and goals.

Until next time,  

Vessal