When a client is toxic but you ignore the signs.
When I first started my business, people would ask me who my ideal client is. My stock answer in the early days was: “My ideal client? One that pays their invoices!” On the surface, it was a joke: but it held so much truth.
Back in 2001 during my first year of freelancing, a Philly advertising agency (that still tries to be relevant with their terrible website and dull clients) stole from me. I’ll never forget the owner’s words when I turned in my invoice. “Oh, that’s not how this works. You take care of me, and next time, I’ll take care of you.” I was young and he intimidated me. He never hired me again - probably because he knew I would turn him down.
In 2004, I was approached by a high ranking executive from one of the few corporate jobs I had held. He suggested I consult for one of the startups he was involved in. This was someone I respected. I went for the interview and loved the chance to bring a fresh approach to college sports recruiting. My team and I were delivering exceptional user experiences that were ahead of the times. When the invoice payments slowed, I was promised a large check once they deposited their funding check. Since I respected this big-time executive, and he had approached me and endorsed this start-up, I trusted them. By New Year’s, I had learned that the CEO funded his extravagant company holiday party by writing a check he knew would bounce. It was outrageous that he would steal. To me, he was a small town Bernie Madoff. I comforted myself in my financial loss knowing he was now only managing a mini golf course. Punishment was served?
Bernie Madoff leaving a Manhattan court in January 2009. The victims of his fraud numbered in the thousands and were scattered from Palm Beach to the Persian Gulf.
Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images
I know what you’re thinking: wow, you’ve learned your lesson, right? Wrong. Another coworker from my consulting days recently resurfaced in my life. He asked our team to help them build out their pitch deck. The company was engaged in DNA based cannabis. Pretty cool, right? I thought so. How could I say no to dipping my toe into this niche space? Maybe this was the bounce back from the pandemic I didn’t know I needed.
Because this was a “friend,” I moved forward without a contract- just an email with rates and an agreed on estimate. No deposit required. In the end, you won’t be surprised to hear that when invoiced, he promised to pay us as soon as their next round of funding came in. I chalked our encounter up to a lesson learned. While I still routinely send them the invoice to pay, I moved on.
I’ve worked for myself for twenty-one years now. Making three judgement errors along the way may have cost me, but it isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever done. The worst thing I’ve ever done is something you’ll have to ask me in person.