I always make it a point to tell my students a true story that happened to me many years ago when I had my own business. This is it in a nutshell. I went to New York on a buying trip and on entering one of the buildings where the fabric showrooms were housed the doorman stopped me as I was entiereing the elevator. He asked me if I had an appointment to see the company which I did not. I left the building in a quandry then looked down at my sneakers, jeans and muscle t-shirt and only then saw what he saw. I assumed he saw a small start up company who clearly did not have the money to make a major purchase. I went to Saks 5th Ave in Manhatten, purchased a $700 dollar suit at 1/2 price, whipped my hair in a bun, put on pantyhose, expensive loafers and make up. I went back to the building and walked right past the same door man who not only did not recognize me but he also did not stop me form getting in the elevator. I went upstairs to the fabric supplier and made my purchase. That doorman assumed that because I was dressed casually I did not have buying power, and he was wrong to assume that, however, he did treat me how I was dressed; and on both occasions.