I Don’t Want to Say I Told You So, But…

Someone recently tried to convince me to work for free.

Not forever, of course.

Just while he builds his business.

Then, once the business is successful, he might advertise with me.

Ten-years-ago Laura probably would have entertained this conversation much longer than necessary. She would have thought about the relationship, the potential, what it could become and whether saying no meant she wasn’t being supportive.

Current Laura?

No, sir.

This isn’t a hobby.

You can pay me for my time and my deliverables.

And while I was thinking about the absurdity of this proposition, I realized something:

I’ve gotten really fast at knowing.

Not knowing everything.

Knowing when something isn’t right.

I know when the math doesn’t math.
I know when someone’s “incredible opportunity” is mostly an incredible opportunity for them.
I know when I’m being sold potential instead of being offered value.
I know when I’ve seen this movie before.

And these days, I don’t need to stick around for the ending.

Unfortunately, I paid for some very expensive tickets to learn that.

Read the full article and subscribe to Laura’s Substack for more personal stories, reflections, and business insights:https://laurasabia.substack.com/p/the-six-months-i-spend-proving-myself