Bloggy Question 65: You've Always Had It EASY! RIGHT?!!!

Opportunity Knocking

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life question. . . .

You moved away from your hometown after college. Only 20% of your graduating class did. You’re online and you have your own business. You’re enjoying some success — every bit of which you’ve worked your tail off to achieve.

You return home for a reunion. Always thinking, you arrange a few meetings with possible new clients while you’re there. When a high school friend hears you’re coming, he asks whether he might hire you to give him some advice on a new venture he’s considering. You agree (at a slight discount for secrets shared and times spent.)

The day of that meeting arrives.

The guy has a grand idea that actually has potential. It could turn into something special. He’s identified a genuine need. You’re certain because it’s in your same industry. You start thinking it would make a nice “sister” business. You’re picturing clients you might refer for his service.

Then you ask a few questions and the situation gets sticky.

The problem is that your friend is in dreamland. He has no real plan. He wants to put out a shingle and expects customers by the hundreds (maybe thousands), all over the nation to lay their trust and their money down. He has no goals, no funding, no market projection, and no way to get his message out or a message to send.

When you gently try to explain this reality, his answer is “You’ve always had it easy! You’re afraid of a little competition.”

Now you’ve invested billable time in a bad situation and you have a client meeting in the morning with someone he knows.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!