??Many 'experts' want to see you burn

?? That way, they can stay warm.

????????'?? ?????? ?? ?????????????? (?????? ???????? ??????)

Btw I have rarely other than when trying to raise the low self belief of good friends in business).

Years ago I was a photo studio business owner with near zero clients.

They were a photo shoot director with great talent and ideas.

Said THEY had access to the clients I craved.

THEY could open the business doors they dreamed of.

They seemed to have so much self belief, it was hard not to believe them.

We ended up working on a portfolio with one artist I knew of (a truly sweet soul), so it didn't seem like all talk.

But it took me ages to see the red flags.

They were so huge even now its hard to think I missed them.

I was just a wicker man for their business bonfire.

?? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ??????????!

At all meetings, they'd have me cover costs, even though I'd travelled, whilst adding things to the menu once I was on the hook.

The first time they had a fit when I wouldn't pay for their kids ice cream. (

(I said sorry many times later).

They played big on my fear of losing work.

I even once got a call from the owner of my photo studio, asking why it was covered in reefer butts and stinking to high heaven.

They were paranoid too; certain that rivals were out to take credit for her work.

During one angry fit, they threatened to quit on the spot.

In a move that makes me cringe to this day, I got to my knees and asked them to think again.

I should have thanked them, left and never come back.

Back then I had such a low view of myself, and struggled so hard to make money, that I was always looking for the next great keymaster.

?? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????????????.

After projects went quiet (the VERY few we had), it hit me.

This person was 99% hot air; be it their plans, contacts or threats.

They were no gate keeper, just a vampire looking for the next mug whose health they could sacrifice on the alter of their dreams.

They found out I'd met up with the artist in question.

(They asked us to come to an event, so I showed).

They hated not having control. I got angry phone calls and texts, telling me to spill what had been talked about, more so if it was about them.

At long last I snapped and gave them my two cents with both barrels.

(I may be middle class but my elders gave me a council estate mouth.).

Its mad how nice people are when they clock that the threats no longer work.

? ???????? ??????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ??...

Crafted my own golden keys.

Never prayed for one person to make or break my plans

Never allowed one person to make or break my plans.

Built my own, well spread network (like smarter gamblers do with their bets) with links based on trust and respect, rather than balls and chains.

Sure, I made my own video testimonials and yes they came in handy, but without a good network of business friends to share them, I might still be turning to the same smoke blowing sociopaths.

Instead of working from Malta with great clients, I might still be staring through the same window at a rainy gutter and the crisp packets people had dumped there.

So if you have great video testimonials (or after you get them), for gods sake make sure you have a good network of business friends who have been trained and reminded to use them, to the RIGHT people.

?? ??????'?? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????????? ?????? ??????????.

They only bring you chaos.

The future should be in your hands, no one else's.

If you need further advice drop me a message.

PS - Don't gamble. I worked in a betting call centre once, and never once took a call from a "Smart gambler".

To think of it I never saw one member of staff doing well either.