26 Years, Birthday Ink, and Squeaking the Wheel
Birthday ink! Drawn by my lovely boyfriend Josh, inked by Joey G at Signature Tattoo in Ferndale. Such good people.
Yesterday I turned 26.
I learned a lot this year, and most of it has to do with what I vagueblogged about on Friday. I had to take a client to small claims court after months of drama and inconsistent, shady business, and the second the judge decided he was ruling in my favor and making them cover the court costs I paid to file because they failed to provide anything valuable and brought a lawyer to small claims court, I strutted out there like it was nobody’s business and decided I was never again going to be afraid to “squeak the wheel,” as he so eloquently described my actions. I’m just done. DONE. Done with people who do not value the work of freelancers and independent contractors. Done with people who think that because they are a big company, they can intimidate me with in-house “lawyers” and legal speak that is meaningless next to what I have. Done with people who do not value my hard work. I might be small, but I have rules and standards, too.
This whole situation made the majority of this year very stressful, but I am glad it happened because it showed me one side of my career I preferred to ignore or just not think about. Lessons learned: keep copies of everything. Save emails. Don’t rely on someone being nice because they will still try to screw you over when push comes to shove. Be nice. Make what you want clear from the very beginning. Don’t be afraid to go around people who won’t help you to someone of a higher standing. I know these all sound like “duh, if you can’t do those then you don’t deserve to be self-employed,” but you’d be surprised how easy it all is to forget or set aside when papers are flying and negotiations are being had and lawyers are in the room. Everyone wants a slice of the “fuck you” when they have an entourage behind them and think you’re a lowly freelancer who can’t afford to do anything about it.
Anyway. That’s all over and it’s on to bigger and better things, such as how many cups of greek yogurt am I going to consume during my 26th year and who offers the best rates on health insurance for the self-employed?
This entry was posted in Life and tagged fox tattoo, freelancing, self employment, small claims court.
Happy birthday, Mandy!
Ah, to be 26 again… I’m turning 28 in December and I still feel as though I’m sixteen.
I’m sorry you had to deal with the evil people from a big company. It seems that that’s all they are made up off. I’m glad you won though! Congrats!
Oh, and your new tattoo is amazingly beautiful!
Thank you! I hope all companies aren’t like that, but they don’t give me any desire to work with any in the future.
Love the mindset AND the ink. <3
thank you
1. I figured that was what was going on. Although I didn’t suspect until your most recent post. So, props to you on the whole “keep it on the DL” part.
2. Props to you for standing up for yourself!! You know the blog Clients from Hell, right? If not, you really should. Moral support + hilarity.
3. Happy birthday (again) lady!
4. Cute ink.
5. No really, PROPS TO YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR YOURSELF. I feel like one little bullet point doesn’t do that justice. As you said, it’s so, so hard to hold onto all the things you KNOW you should do and all the rights you KNOW you have/deserve, esp. when it would just be easier to give in and let things to. But you didn’t do that. Thus you are a hero. No lie.
Thank you! It was a long and stressful process dealing with idiots and paperwork and getting ready, but I am so glad I did and I’m glad it’s over. If anything, I hope they won’t try to screw over other people now.