(no subject)

[nonelvis]

If you run a services business, are thinking of running a services business, or freelance, you should watch this. My business has been fortunate enough that we've never had to sue anyone for payment, but have we had problems getting paid? Oh yes, and any small business owner will tell you the same thing. What saves our asses? The contracts we have people sign. It's not about screwing anyone; it's about setting the terms under which we deliver services and get paid, and making sure our interests, as well as the client's, are protected.

Comments

[nonelvis]

My father is a bankruptcy attorney who's been a sole practitioner most of my life, so what you're saying about how your former clients treated you sounds very familiar. (In his case, things are compounded because his clients are filing bankruptcy in the first place, though he generally doesn't handle small personal bankruptcy cases that would be impossible to collect from.)

Running a business means taking the risk people aren't going to pay. It sucks, but there it is. If you're lucky, everyone pays and you get to control your life and do something you love; it sounds like you're getting there yourself, and I wish you the best of luck doing it. Even with the occasional payment hiccup, I don't think I'd go back to working for someone else unless I absolutely had to.