By Jesse Lipson, EO Raleigh Durham member and Forbes contributor

My wife told me this common rule of thumb in fashion: before you walk out the door, take off the last accessory that you put on. That extra bracelet or ring or necklace that you added to your outfit is probably not necessary; your outfit will look better if you undo that last step. Recently, in talking with two entrepreneurs, I found myself offering business advice along these same lines.