The first call came in at 8:10 PM.
I didn’t answer.
Two minutes later… a voice message.
Five minutes after that, a WhatsApp.
“Need to speak now. URGENT.”
I let it sit.
The next morning, I woke up to five more missed calls. All between 10 PM and midnight.
When I finally reached her that afternoon, she opened with this:
“If you’re going to work with me, I need faster responses. My business runs 24/7.”
I laughed — not because it was funny — but because of the absurdity.
She wasn’t a tech CEO.
She wasn’t launching rockets.
She sold organic candles online.
But somehow she thought she owned my calendar.
Now here’s the kicker…
This client accounted for less than 8% of my revenue — but over 40% of my headaches.
And her stress spilled into every interaction — demanding more, questioning everything, always behind on payments but somehow expecting 24/7 red carpet service.
So I made a simple decision:
I refunded her the last invoice.
“You don’t need a consultant,” I told her.
“You want an employee you don’t have to pay full-time.”
Firing her was the easiest money I never made.
Within a month, that space brought in a new client — less time, higher fee, and actual gratitude for the results.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Well if a client thinks they can dictate your time, your boundaries, and your value — they’re not a client.
They’re a liability with a direct line to your sanity and cash flow.
You’re not their employee.
You’re not their punching bag.
And you sure as hell aren’t on call like a paramedic.
Fire fast. Serve better. Earn more.
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P.S. I’m not the “systems guy,” “process guy,” or “finance guy.”
I’m the “build a valuable business” guy—so you can regain the freedom to start living your best life now and exit on your own terms later.
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