Be careful who you work with

I realize that I am not exactly a veteran in the workforce but as an Entrepreneur who time and time again puts myself out there (like a single woman looking to marry) I have taken away a few things that I must (if only) reiterate to myself. You are not meant to work with everyone, be careful who you work with and don’t take everything personal, its business.

Lets start with "your are not meant to work with everyone" -- if you remember anything in business relations it is this little tidbit. I am a firm believer of this. Just like you are not meant to be in a relationship with everyone. Some work, some clearly do not. Recently I had a fellow colleague ask me for some advice. While I am not an attorney or a therapist I do appreciate that colleagues do ask my for advice as a business and consultant. He was stressing about a potential client that wanted a quote for some design work done. This potential client was firm about only paying a set price for his services and no more. He even leveraged my friend by telling him he knew exactly where their business could get it done for that price if he could not meet it. Ok, let it go. I have cut my ties with these potential client bullies long ago. They are not respectful of your profession, they don't understand your work and your business is better off without them. You know why? Because all that time and energy can either be spent on growing your own business or working with clients who you want to work with because they respect your work. But the economy makes people feel desperate [on both sides] and these bullies are throwing punches left and right to try and score a good deal. Save yourself and walk away. The bully game never stops and suddenly the client is running your show. When I worked in publishing it was the same way, the smallest ad requires the most attention. So many employee hours were spent on these client bullies and in the long run not worth it. You are better spending your time going after big fish then coddling little ones.

On the other side of the coin from this is "be careful who you work with" -- this one can hurt your business if you are not careful. I know this from experience. If you haven't had a red flag go up at the beginning of the process and suddenly you are in the middle of a job and a red flag not only goes up but drapes itself all over you it is time to get out. This is where there needs to be a clause in your contract that if an unethical behavior or differences of interest require you to break ties. This is where you will thank your sweet ass that you hired a good attorney to represent your business and formed a relationship early on. People can be crooked. Businesses can be crooked and before you go down with the ship GET OUT!

Lastly, don't take everything so personally. I need to remember this not just as a creative and a business owner but also as a woman. Business can be personal and above all should be, but its not. It can be shrewd and crude. It will make you second guess your company and your talent if you let it. Just be secure in your business, keep your blinders on to the nay-sayers and keep feelings out of it. Money is mostly the bottom line and money has no feelings it has a business to run. Always represent that business with professionalism and a clear focus of what your goal is. And when all else fails a really stiff drink at the end of the day.