Paying the Bills vs. Waiting for the "Right" Clients

Whether you are hunting for a new job or launching a business, many people find themselves balancing between hustling for any opportunity they can find and maintaining their professional integrity. It’s important to have standards, but it’s also important to pay your rent. Right?

Starting a new business or diving into the job market may mean taking any business/job you can get just to make ends meet. But it’s easy to get exploited by people who know you are desperate. On the other hand, being too rigid before you have established a reputation could prevent you from getting any business at all.

How do you find a balance between the two?

Here is something I experienced when I was starting my pet sitting business that provided some clarity. I had two clients that asked for a 20% discount for dog walking 3 times a week. I was just starting out, so I said yes to both.

One I fired two months later when she didn’t pay me on time and asked for an absurd level of service. The second client not only paid me every week on time, when her job changed she increase to 5 times a week.

The lesson I learned is that it’s okay to adjust your standards in the interest of getting new business, BUT know what your standards are and be ready to cut your losses if when you see red flags. If you are acting with integrity and intention, you’ll find your way.