If you ever find yourself thinking about working with another person. Get a contract. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped the ball on this one and have been left holding the bag.

So the story goes: You get a referral for a potential client from a friend of yours. The lead calls-needs a rebrand. After selling them on your company and services, you land the job. You talk prices, sign a contract and start the work.

You get halfway through the project before it dawns on you. Who the hell is going to pay the web developer? Then you realize that you are about to be screwed. You see, you did not think to get a contract from the developer because they were already in a working relationship with the client and you assumed they would have their end covered, right?! Nope! Hell no! It’s on you. It’s fucking all on you.

After kicking yourself and questioning if you are even cut out for this line of work – one of two things can happen next:

1. You get into a pissing match with your client and the developer over who’s gonna pay the man. Oh, did I mention that the 3 of you are friends? So the option of killing a friendship is now on the table.

OR

2. You get him paid. Learn from the mess up and move on. And you don’t touch another thing between you without a specific agreement that outlines who’s doing what and who’s paying who.

This may be the most important lesson of the business because losing money you don’t have, that’s lame as fuck.