When Clients Don't Pay (A Small Business Owner's Nightmare)

It happens in every small business owner's life: you're sought out, appointments made, confirmations take place, meetings with the clients and the meetings were successful, if you have to say so yourself.

You sit back, the client sits back, you're both basking in the after effects of a prosperous meeting when you look over expectantly for payment (Cue: screeching brakes, breaking bottles, fire alarms). The client looks a bit uncomfortable at every item in the room except your face, clears the throat and says, "I won't have any money to pay you until later," or "Can we make payment arrangements". Next, I wonder how long I can keep my mouth open like this.

You've given this client everything with passion, motivation, you've coached, you've reconstructed, deconstructed and created a blueprint for that individuals future and this hillbilly ain't got no money! And what's worse is the fact that this is known prior to the meeting that payment was expected and even after the confirmation, it was never mentioned that there was no money to pay you for any part of the consult. 

It happens to the best of us - clients who don't pay. As a small business owner this can cripple and derail a business. Our bottom line is literally our bottoms. Unless we've agreed that this is pro bono...business owners expect payment at the time services are rendered. We have to pay for fuel, living expenses, advertising, all the expenses of running a small business and living my life. Some of the differences between running a small business versus big business is the lack of finances to hire collection agencies to get mine, neither do I have time to spend in court wasting hours and time (which is money) trying to get paid. 

So how can small business owners protect themselves from clients that don't pay? Here are a few tips:

• Every small business owner should have a Paypal account
• Require payment upfront or a portion thereof
• Don't take checks or make sure it has cleared before you deposit it into your account
• Don't make concessions especially with friends unless you agree to a discounted rate (friends always want the "hook-up")
• Never enter into an agreement with anyone without clear guidelines - a contract

Last, but not least, if all else fails, Happy Hour is still 4-6PM where you can still get a "hook-up" for under $5!

As I Sit

As I sit here thinking over my life - my next steps toward promise or what others may refer to as destiny, I cringe with the burden of uncertainty as the future remains so elusive.

Elusive as in I cannot determine where I'm going or when I'll get there because my life has taught me, if anything, that I cannot depict tomorrow and the events it may bring. While I am that witness that God has brought me through as well as out, yet, I feel I am not where I wish or supposed at this age and time in life. And no, I am not reading some magazine article showcasing those who aspired to greatness by age 25. So then...where am I?

Personally, I feel that I am in one of those "Physician heal thyself" vortex that seemingly holds me prisoner yet again another year. It can all be quite depressing if entertained but yet, I cannot. It's like watching all the people around you elevate to higher plains but you're stuck in a spinning hole where the gravity of all is crushing. A place where you can't feel anymore for yourself - celebrations are for those who are excelling, achieving and/or accelerating. As I sit.

As I sit, I seemingly work but does anything really get done? I move papers, calls are answered, mail opened, read and replied to as needed, food cooked, encouraged others, created, designed, and dressed  - did anything improve, change or remain?

As I sit I pray, I meditate, I beg, I cry, I worship, I praise, and I sit. I wait to listen, even strain to hear what is being said with all eagerness to complete or willingly perform what is asked so that I may be snatched from this ever entrapping vortex....but so far, I am not.

And still....I sit.