I've been working out of my trunk for going on 12 years now. A few people have mentioned they thought I would have a van or trailer but seemed intrigued that I could carry everything I need in the trunk and could wash their car with a gallon of water using QEW. The lack of a generator to power my
vacuum (and now buffer) hasn't been an issue either since most people would prefer you to use their plug rather than fire up a generator if you are at their house. Obviously, at a business complex, the noise is much less of an issue.
I also lucked out early in my detailing career when a very high end customer saw the sign on the back of my car and called me. He lived in a very nice neighborhood with a decent amount of traffic so people would see me out there weekly cleaning his Rolls and Mercedes and I guess they figured if I can handle his cars, I can certainly handle their's.
At this point, my business is about 94% referral or repeat so when I get a referral, they already have been sold on my abilities and are ready to set an appointment. It took me a few years to get to that point....I think when I had done about 1000 total vehicles, my need to put out flyers dropped of dramatically. Very seldom now does what I carry all my detailing stuff even make it into conversation.