(this one is difficult to apply if you are different you need to change how you dress and act), don't carry lots of things, don't have packages delivered to doorstep, and this: what are you willing to give up when they come at you?

@Russell Lauck while I and my investors appreciate a certain amount of "window dressing" in a proposal, as it shows insight, effort and forethought, what the ultimate decision comes down to is just 2 factors: (A) "SHOW-ME-THE-MONEY!"

Dress like nuns and priests holding candles.

Of course, you could dress it up on the outside so it doesn't look like there's an actual shipping container in your backyard.

Here is where it gets really tricky -  we recently purchased an old school house and flipped it to turn into a bridal house. 

I always show up in my work truck  dressed in work clothes . 

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like workThomas Edison

Sorry for a silly question, but what is the dress code?

But I can paint exteriors, dress up the landscaping, restripe the parking area, upgrade electrical and lighting and HVAC, add or subtract windows and doors, put down epoxy flooring, freshen up tired office spaces and restrooms, etc.

If a stain won't look good the treads can be painted, and you can also use a runner in the center of the treads to dress it up.