Warren Buffett once said, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." These 11 seasoned entrepreneurs have cultivated impeccable reputations by mastering reputation management. Follow their battle-tested advice to build and safeguard yours efficiently in any industry.
Related: 11 Epic Life Hacks from Crazy Successful Entrepreneurs
1. Turn negative attacks into opportunities.
When you gain visibility, negative online comments are inevitable, potentially costing opportunities and harming your brand. Treat them as opportunities, not crises. A unhappy customer can become a loyal advocate with the right response. Avoid public replies that amplify the issue—instead, address concerns privately via phone or direct message.
—Grant Cardone, top sales expert who built a $500 million real estate empire, New York Times bestselling author of Be Obsessed or Be Average and founder of 10X Growth Con 2017; follow Grant on Facebook or YouTube
2. Always be totally transparent.
Disputes often arise from misunderstandings or incomplete disclosure. Commit to full transparency in every deal. If something isn't crystal clear, walk away—deals that seem too good to be true usually are, and they'll tarnish your name. I also avoid business with friends or family, as emotional ties heighten expectations and risks, potentially costing relationships.
—Manny Khoshbin, president of The Khoshbin Company and author of Contrarian Playbook; arrived in America at 14 nearly homeless and now boasts a nine-figure net worth; follow Manny's incredible adventures on Instagram
3. Endure enemies.
In today's social media landscape—Twitter, YouTube, Reddit—no one escapes criticism when achieving success. A century ago, Nicholas Klein noted: "First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build you monuments." Consider Justin Bieber's most-hated YouTube video or Kim Kardashian's backlash—it's a rite of passage from obscurity to stardom. Persist, as negativity bias fades and allies emerge.
—Tai Lopez, investor and advisor to multimillion-dollar companies with eight-figure online empires; connect with Tai on Facebook or Snapchat
4. Relentlessly focus on your tribe.
After rejecting a request, I faced fabricated slander aimed at destroying my reputation. Success silenced it. Those swayed by lies weren't true prospects anyway. Pour unrelenting value into your supporters—that's how legends are built.
—Com Mirza, CEO of Mirza Holdings and "The 500 Million Dollar Man"; rebounded from eight failed ventures to lead a nine-figure empire with 600+ employees
5. Deposit reputation currency daily.
False accusations from a trusted contact nearly derailed me in our shared circles. Loyal allies defended me, underscoring that integrity is your reputation's currency—make daily deposits. Build a tribe of high-integrity peers. In disputes, own your part, demand accountability, share facts objectively, and skip gossip.
—Chris Plow, advisor, entrepreneur, and serial founder
6. Always do what you say you will do.
Deliver on promises exactly as stated—screw up, and your name is mud faster than you think. Once, we overlooked replacing a dead plant in a landscaping job. We returned that day, fixed it, and added extra flowers. Own errors proactively; clients remember and respect it.
—Steve Griggs, founder and CEO of Steve Griggs Design; scaled from $200 and a mower to seven figures annually
7. Cultivate personal integrity above all else.
Align actions with core values, and external perceptions won't derail your long-term success—even amid mistakes. Inner integrity ensures the outer world aligns.
—Nafisé Nina Hodjat, founder and CEO of The SLS Company
8. Always own the problems, then solve them.
Over 20 years, I've built an impeccable reputation by owning mistakes—mine, my team's, and contractors'. Working with billion-dollar firms, I've seen hidden errors destroy trust. Proactively fix issues, improve processes, then deliver solutions to clients.
—Jim Mathers, CEO of North American Energy Advisory, Inc.
9. Look at your idols.
Admired figures have crystal-clear personal brands rooted in authenticity, sparking emotional connections that foster loyalty and love.
—Adele McLay, business growth consultant, author, and speaker
10. Take control of your character.
With rampant fake news, reputation control diminishes with fame—but character is 100% yours. Prioritize transparency and doing right, regardless.
—Rafe Furst, entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Crowdfunder
11. Protect your reputation as if your life depended on it.
Success invites attacks. Proactively budget for online reputation management. Dominating Google's top 10 results is where reputations thrive or perish. Repair is harder than prevention—start now.
—Jerome Knyszewski, CEO of HeavyShift Marketing; safeguards online reputations for celebrities, products, and brands
Related: 9 Lessons Successful Entrepreneurs Wish They Heard Sooner
