25/07/2025
I hoped I would never have to make a post like this, but I feel it's necessary to get these feelings off my chest and warn fellow creators, freelancers and service providers.
Last January I started working as a social media manager and later on the website manager for a restaurant/bar in Nottingham. I worked tirelessly to help them build a business that the community would be proud of. I organised and ran events, managed communications and handled a lot of things outside the scope of the job outline and contract I had put in place. They pressured me into a lower rate of pay from the very beginning, which I begrudgingly accepted as they offered a 'you scratch our back, we'll scratch yours' partnership. Looking back now, I should have walked away at that very moment, or at least when they were 3 weeks late paying their first invoice. But I chose to put my clients needs ahead of my own. I was lured in with the promise of additional work from all of his 'contacts', other projects he was undertaking and the community values he wanted me to push.
Sometimes in business, when you're a one-woman show or a freelancer, you get colourblind to the red flags because you depend on the income and want to people please. No matter how long you've been in business, situations like this can still arise when you're not looking after yourself first.
I've always been the type of business woman where I see my clients as my friends, I WANT you to succeed, and I'll do what I can to make that happen! However in this instance my work ethic and kindness was taken advantage of for over a year and a half. I never had an invoice paid on time, boundaries were consistently crossed, communication was erratic and I was working well beyond what I was being compensated for. They roped me into this 'family' narrative, and convinced me I was part of something bigger than myself. I ignored the owner's behaviour because a lot of the people around him are genuinely lovely people that I truly connected with. I was constantly reminded that I was important to the business, and in turn, had a lot of the business owner's problems and money issues pushed onto me. Which we're nothing to do with me, my business, or the work I had done and provided. I will not go into the full extent of what this client put me through, but it was evident for my existing clients, my friends and my family that I was unwell, stressed and completely burnt out.
Why am I telling you all this? The business closed in May 2025 as a result of unpaid debts accrued by the owner and his former business partner. I helped them make as much money as possible in the lead up to their closure (within the scope of my talents), and worked for the last several months at WAY OVER HALF my monthly rate to help them during this time. I asked for my final months payment (plus the payments from March and April which I still had not received), over 6 times over the course of May, a couple of part payments were made, and I was promised by the owner, who consistently claims to be 'a man of his word', that if he couldn't pay me out of the business funds, he would pay me personally what I was owed because of everything I had done for them And because I was like 'family'. I have still not been paid what I am owed. Nor has a lot of the staff working the final month of operations, including manager, bar staff and other service providers.
I have contacted the owner every week, via email, text, Whatsapp and via post to discuss, and sort out a payment plan if needed. All my communications were read and not responded too. It was only after making a comment on a Facebook post by Nottinghamshire Live regarding the company, that I got a response where he advised that he hadn't seen my message (despite me having read receipts from weeks prior), and that an outside company had taken over all accounts and debts for the company, and he would send me their email address. I had to ask for this email address 5 times before it was sent. I expressed that the invoice was incredibly overdue and if it wasn't paid within 7 days, legal action (small claims court) would be taken. He told me 'legal action is fine' and offered no apology for how things had turned out or that I hadn't yet been paid. I have had no response from the company he informed me to contact. No explanation or apology from ANYONE.
Unfortunately, I believe it is very unlikely I will be paid. I have gone about this in the nicest way I possibly can, and haven't pushed as hard as I maybe should have, that's on me I suppose. I have had several people reach out to me saying they have also been "scammed" or unpaid by this person, for work spanning back years. It's a hard pill to swallow when you work hard to make a living and build a future for your family, whilst helping people and being as kind as you can during the process, to have it end up like this. It truly is heartbreaking and tiring. And has affected me everyday for over a year.
My advice from all of this? STICK. TO. YOUR. GUNS.
> Advocate for yourself, because no one else will.
> Implement your terms and conditions and your contract from day one.
> Get paid upfront where necessary and do not start work until a payment system is in place.
> Do do be pulled into the 'workplace family' narrative, this only benefits the owner, not the staff.
> Say no. If your uncomfortable, overworked, underpaid or under valued, say no and walk away. It's only yourself that will get hurt in the long run if you continue.
> You can get other clients! Don't just take the first flashing red flag that comes along because you need the work, it's not worth it.
> Just because someone tells you they're a good person, and a person of their word, doesn't mean they are.
> Document everything. I am lucky to have recorded/AI noted a majority of our phone conversations/Zoom calls, screenshotted messages and emails, and have receipts for everything. Make sure everything is documented in writing where possible. Not only does it help to refer back to, but it helps in cases like these where you require evidence.
A lot of people will run others over to protect a false image of themselves, and I am lucky that 99% of my clients are genuine, lovely, hardworking people who deserve to have their businesses thrive.
This has put me a financial and emotional situation that has made me reevaluate whether I want to/can continue with my business as it is. I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the last 6 years, and those who continue to support me as I decide what I need to do for my health and for my business. Sorry this was such a long post! But I'm really glad I'm able to get it off my chest, warn other service providers and encourage small business owners to take care of themselves.
Until next time!
Jade xx
