Since the beginning of this unconstitutional lockdown, I’ve witnessed a resurgence of a movement I participated in after my 2013 self-emancipation from Corporate America: groups of like-minds banding together to incorporate as businesses, selling themselves as viable service providers.
The shoddy state of the current economy has certainly sparked a great deal of creativity, so, to those about to rock their dreams of building empires, I salute you. 🤘🏻
There's just one problem (actually, there's a myriad of 'em, but stay with me): simply completing a five-day business launch challenge on Facebook doesn't make one qualified. 😫
Without meaning to sound like Captain Obvious 🙄, business acumen is something that takes longer than five weekdays to develop. Running a successful business requires competency, credibility, (good) credit, & an elusive lil’ rascal named Capital. 💰
Learn the difference between "sweat equity" & flat-out being USED
The lone wolf narrative of starting a business is sexy.
Multiple successes are achieved via assuming multiple roles. I get it. But, honestly, no one should go it alone. It’s just too much time, stress, & you guessed it: capital.
I'm all for working with accountability partners. They keep you on track, keep you honest, & can give you the extra edge you need to succeed. 🤝
But -- & this is a big "but" -- you need to be careful.✋ You’ll need discernment of the different personality types to avoid in any of these so-called paid business groups. Learning who to avoid will prove an invaluable skill over time if you want even the slightest chance of success. People of the Court, I give you the following Exhibits:
The Seasoned Pied-Piper
This guy. 🙄
The Seasoned Pied-Piper is usually a charismatic, fast-talking, AARP-bound huckster who spent most of their adult life moving from one snake-oil sales gig to the next, having been well-prepared by an early career in theater and radio. This character has an innate ability to magnetize the masses 👥, is loud, boastful, and recites their credentials ad nauseum to anyone within earshot, in the same manner, that they read scripts during their theater and radio heydays.
There is no 'I' in' team with this cat until they need access to the group coffer to fund their latest project, which, like the last one, won’t produce any ROI. 🤬
Funding one of their failed events? That happens. 🤷♀️
Funding FOUR failed events? Well, are you sure you should be in business? 😬
Jane-of-All-Trades... with an Identity Crisis
This chick will have some impressive-sounding techniques to share during her presentation at a networking event. 💅🏼
You might be convinced to follow up, only to be handed a business card that lists her beauty & skin MLM, wedding planning business, along with credentials as an "author." 😒
Ok, what exactly is this person’s area of focus??? 🤔🤔🤔
Youth in All its Vain-Glory
You can recognize the next individual the second they refer to themself as "Instagram Famous". 💃
You have my permission to walk away.🚶♂️ Tune out.🙉 Move on. 🏃♂️
Manager in Dire Need of Management (MIDNOM)
Yikes.🙄
This joker is dangerous in that they can "almost" be helpful.😑
A hybrid of the Seasoned Pied Piper, the MIDNOM also builds tribes.👥 Sounds great until you become aware of the glaring lack of balance within this value-for-value exchange of the partnership. 🤬
Oh, they're well-connected to some of the elite, but somehow they're still broke. For all their slickness and connections, there’s hardly any expectation of a deliverable from MIDNOMs. 🤬😩
They live day-to-day off of favors while promising access to said connections. 😤
Think Wimpy from Popeye, substituting the hamburgers for connections.🍔 = 👥👥👥👥 Get the picture? 🤔
Non-Paying Profit(eer)s
Nothing says noble like a non-profit. 🙌
However, there's nothing more insidious than non-profits intentionally stiffing fellow service providers when the payment comes due. 🤬🧾🧾🧾
An endowment of 501(c)3 status shouldn't give non-profit organizers license to drive legitimate professionals out of business. 😱
This happens more frequently than most realize, unfortunately. Sure, the organization eventually goes out of business, that is until it finds the means to ride the coattails of a similar non-profit. 😖 😜 A smaller piece of the pie, but they're back at the table, sadly.😖
Gaggle of Gossips
The whole point of participating in a value exchange is to ensure success in business -- which just so happens to rely upon the protection of privacy.🤫🤫🤫 When that fails to happen, congratulations 🎉, you’ve more than likely found yourself a gaggle of gossips. 👥👥👥👥
You think you’ve found a thoughtfully constructed professional environment to thrive. In reality, you’ve unwittingly enlisted in a lascivious social hangout. 😜
Nothing wreaks havoc or destruction quicker than this negative bunch.
What goes on in a group is supposed to stay within the group, yes? That is until said environment devolves into the news of who hasn't paid for what, to who is sleeping with whom. 😱😱😱
Because we all know two people of the opposite sex who happen to spend a great deal of time working together are clearly sleeping together, am I right? 🤔
That was sarcasm. 🥴
Ironic Names
One of the many great attributes of liberty is that individuals are always free to support any cause or fulfill any dream. 🇺🇸
You can -- within reason -- legally adopt a naming convention that best suits your calling. You can name your business just about however you wish.👌
There are too many professional service provider groups popping up that sound good in theory and look good on paper, yet the conduct of the group is contradictory. 🎭🤡
Sometimes, a group's naming convention will invoke notions of collaboration 🤝, while the cliques you’ve yet to learn about within the group solely support their friend's "causes". 💩
Price-check needed on Irony in aisle 5. 🧐😑
Anyway, find the courage to make a hasty exit upon coming to this realization. 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️ No, things won’t get any better. 😭😭😭
DON'T Get Stuck with People Who Just Want to Use You or Have No Idea How to Help You
Here’s some food for thought: if you're part of a "body" in which every part doesn't operate at full capacity to maintain optimum health, detach yourself immediately. 🏃♂️ Seriously. It won't be long before that body falls ill and eventually suffers from all of the preventable maladies mentioned above. 🤯🤯🤯
You may limp away burned-out and possibly broke, but the invaluable lessons learned of what deal-breakers are will surely renew your strength. 🙏🙌
These were some pretty tough lessons learned through years of hard work, failure, and frustration. 📈✒️💻📚
Fear not. There is hope! 🙌 If you’re still here, stick with me. 🤗
Subscribe, where the journey gets better! I promise! 🙌🤓😎