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Got It, Flaunt It? Know where to draw the line between subtly sexy and sleazy.

By Aliza P. Sherman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is an important part of being a successful entrepreneur. So says Maggie Gallant, 26, founder of Spotlight Communications, a New York City-based full-service boutique PR firm. But what if one of your assets is sex appeal? Is using it in a professional setting a smart use of your assets, or just risky business?

"Women should carefully judge those times when they want their sex appeal to be noticed," suggests Gallant, who has built a $500,000 business in a few short years. "Pay attention to how others are responding to your appeal. Know and understand your audience."

Gallant warns that if your sex appeal distracts people's attention from your capabilities and work, your business--and reputation--can suffer. Overall, she does believe it's OK to use sex appeal in business dealings--you just have to be smart about it. If you go for sexiness in a work environment, she suggests subtlety. "Whispering sexy has a far more dramatic effect than screaming it at the top of your lungs," she explains.