A Lesson Learned...

I have had a very big strain with a client lately. What went down last night was mind blowing. Vicious and manipulative and quite frankly....disgusting. He requested a meeting because someone important was in town. In a terrential storm, I drove there. Before I left, like a lunatic, I ran home printed out some material I wanted to give to him (that I worked on till 2AM) and as I was running out, my new folders had arrived for my business. I grabbed the folder (because it was at the door and glossy) and this way his work wouldn't run in the rain.

It was a great meeting at his home..martinis, sushi....the person we were meeting I do a lot of work with....it went very well. The folder was on the couch so afterwards, the client and I could discuss the work that I had brought. this person asked me to see it and I took out my clients work and gave it to him. Can I take this? I will be more than happy to do give you some free services.....I had them printed for a big presentation I am giving, I had said. And think, we got you more clients....(which was one of the things my client and I were working on). This gentleman left and everything seemed okay and out of no where...he attacked. Accusing me of planning this...being manipulative and not being focused on his business. ?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I had no idea what he was talking about. I can see behind your manipulations, don't lie. You purposely brought that to pitch to him your company.

I broke down in tears. That was the farthest thing from my mind...it never crossed my mind at all. His work was in there....I wasn't even showing it to this person. My client was vicious and ruthless....ssaying he was doing this all for me. He spent $10,000 so I could look good and succeed at this big project I have been working on...

First, I have never been attacked like that by anyone, let alone a client. He continued to attack me on something else that I also did nothing wrong. It's a long story but he got me to work for him based upon an agreement that he would be getting more work for me for another client. the other client agreed to let me work for him part time. What he was accusing me of was asking for some business from his office (which I said jokingly--hey don't forget about my client when you are referring that work).

I have never been attacked like this in my life. In any capacity....I was hysterical because this man was accusing me of being the scum of the life. I pride myself on my work ethics and my intregrity. I could approach things so much differently and get further but I believe in ethics first. He also threatened me with cutting off work to my main client which he knows threatens my job. And then, he's going on and on how he wants to help me and make me succeed. Be my mentor and make sure I am taken care of.

I have never left so exhausted. He said let's forget it and was charming at the end. but I was shooken beyond belief. I could lose everything. He now wants to get me a permanent position with this company.....yes, it would be stability and I would be mserable. He said he would be losing me but he wanted what is best for me. Reality is.......I would be indirectly working for him and the client I would have to give up......I would be now working for their competition. I know its confusing but basically...he would still benefit.

I was in bed all day with a migraine. Such power this man has and he is scary. What I think bothers him is that I am proceeding with my dream which he a year ago wanted to invest in. I am proceeded without his help. And he wants my 100% dedication to him and my company is sidetracking me. Its not. the man pays me for 6 hours a week of work and he gets over 20 every week. Sometime 40!

So now what? Is he really looking out for me? I cannot believe that someone would be like this but quite frankly I am in atouch spot right now. I could lose three clients...basically 99% of my money. He could pull his work, another clients and destroy my other client. POOF...and he knows it and don't think he would hesitate to destroy me (even though he says he is doing this all for me). He's angry because I am not content. Honestly, after taxes I walk away with $9500 a year. It's the other jobs that are pulling in for me.

I thought all day and I decided...I have to continue with my company. I have to continue and start building quicker. I have to expand my clients base so that we won't have to rely on his work. You can attack my work, you can attack anything but to attack me as a person. I didn't need to give that guy my info....I speak to him 6 times a week on the phone and email even more. The fact that my client would even think that would cross my mind...I am really sick about it.

So after such abuse..I still have a job to do for him. And quite frankly, I am going to be a professional and for myself, I am going to succeed at it. I stayed and took the abuse because of my children. But next time, I know I am going to have to walk. So it is 3AM, I can't sleep. I am sitting here working on my company.....and after a day of lying in bed and thinking about it....last night gave me the push that I needed. It's time to move forward. I know what I have to do...get the business moving.....and i I see it is getting somewhere...serve my husband with the divorce papers so he has no rights to my company before I start getting successful.

Yes, I am a good person with a good heart. I have my faults but professionalism is not one of them. I am good at what I do....so last nights disaster will hopefully give me the strength to move on. Fighting the odds but I am going to win. Nothing is more powerful than a determined woman on a mission for survival.....