When it comes to running a small business, bling is not king. I say again, bling is not king.

“What? Bling is the enemy? How can this be? Bling is money! Bling is success!”

Clearly, an explanation is in order.

Personal sense of style aside, bling has come to mean much more than just fashion. Bling now connotes the best, highest quality, most luxurious and most exclusive. Blinged out cars, houses and persons are intended to indicate to others how successful one is, whether that is the reality or not.

But, hey, who doesn’t want the best, right? The best business means the most cutting-edge computers, right? The $1100 nouveau office chairs, right? The yellow Hummer with your business name on the side, right?

Well, maybe not.

In California, rents have suddenly skyrocketed. This is a recipe for disaster for a small business owner. Negotiate an office rental at the upper limits of your budget to impress customer, clients or potential employess, and then face a rent increase and it’s game over.

Still, at first it might be seductive to consider upgrading the look of your business. After all, many are attracted to flash, and impressed by the characteristic trappings of perceived success.

However, unless you are a hip hop producer or a jewelry designer to the stars, chances are the best bet for you, small business owner, is to keep things running smoothly and pretense free.

Here’s a good example: have you ever seen a flashy Google ad? Or an ad for Google, period, that wasn’t part of their business model as a sponsored link? My friends, that is smart business.

Don’t blow your profits on flashy tools. Of course, don’t get lazy with the research and buy junk, either.

Be practical, be smart. Make sure the tools you need to do your business are reliable and sensible, and always, always, always make sure you are paying attention to what consumers are clamoring for (iPod® stuff, anyone?)

Want to treat yourself for a job well done? Hey, that’s what ice cream parlors are for! Want to show off? Practice profit sharing and take the entire staff. After all, the Jack Welch era is over, so why not?

Just remember: If you think your business has what it takes to go the distance, by all means don’t squander your precious, limited resources trying to impress others. And if you just have to spend, take a cue from Toyota and use profits to make your business better, not glitzier.

Make no mistake. Bling is the enemy of ka-ching.

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iPod® is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

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