Make More, Worry Less: Secrets from 18 Extraordinary People Who Created a Bigger Income and a Better Life

Chapter 11. Look the Part

—Ed Cortese (Robb Report)

In his many marketing jobs, Ed Cortese learned to think of himself as the head executive of “Ed Cortese Inc.” and to make sure he looked the part every day. No matter what hat he wore at work—and we all wear a lot of different hats at our jobs these days—he looked like George Clooney on the set of Ocean’s 11—relaxed and quietly confident. Ed shows that looking the part is more a state of mind than a style of dress.

“Operate your career as if you’re your own little company and you’ve been contracted to do the work,” Ed says. “Stand up with your back straight, with a big smile, and be proud of who you are.”

Ed’s philosophy helped him get his foot in the door of New York’s fashion marketing world right ...