Client Horror Stories

Today, we're joined by Lance Cayko—serial entrepreneur, award-winning architect, and co-founder of F9 Productions. He's here to share a client horror story that starts as a straightforward business deal and unravels into something far more sinister.

Years ago, Lance met a couple who had relocated from the south to Colorado. The wife, an interior designer, came with beautifully crafted drawings of their dream home. Impressed by her talent, Lance actually encouraged them to skip his architectural services altogether and simply hire an engineer—a gesture of genuine respect for her work.

That could have been the end of it. But years later, the husband resurfaced with a new project—and a new fiancée. The work began smoothly enough, but two-thirds of the way through, the invoices started going unpaid, communication went cold, and strange emails began trickling in. The reason soon became clear: the client had started construction himself without waiting for the building permit. Lance had seen enough. He sent a final email rescinding all involvement and walked away.

Then the fiancée called. She was devastated—and completely in the dark. Over coffee, she revealed that her partner had drained her accounts entirely. She pressed charges, and he fled the state.

The story didn't end there. After the dust settled and her home was completed through another firm, Lance came across a mugshot of his former client—charged with multiple counts of fraud. Driven by curiosity, he reached out to the man's first wife. What she shared over coffee confirmed everything: the man had been living a double life from the moment he arrived in Colorado.

Some clients aren't just difficult. Some are dangerous. Listen to hear the full story.

Morgan Friedman
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Beth Trejo, CEO & Co-Founder of Chatterkick, has a horror story—but it's not about a difficult client. It's about a partnership that nearly cost her everything she built.

Beth's entrepreneurial journey started early. After winning a competition and walking away with $1,100, she bought a laptop, had a conversation with a friend, and launched a social media business. Chatterkick thrived—but as Beth began building her family, she felt the company needed more resources and guidance than she could provide alone. So she sold it.

Looking back, the red flags were there from the start. The acquiring company's portfolio was rooted in farming and milling—industries worlds apart from social media. Chatterkick was the odd one out, and the misalignment only deepened over time. Within three years, it became undeniable: they simply didn't know how to run a social media business.

The pressure was immense. Beth was navigating the very real possibility of losing the company, watching her team's livelihoods hang in the balance—all while raising young children at home. But she refused to walk away from what she had built from scratch. She fought back, bought Chatterkick back, and made a decision she wouldn't repeat: this time, she would grow it on her own terms, alongside the team that believed in it as much as she did.

Watch this episode to hear the full story.

Morgan Friedman
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Eric Robinson, retired FBI agent, author, and former pastor, shares a gripping story from his time working in the FBI's National Security and Counterterrorism Division. This episode dives into one of his earliest and most unforgettable cases—and it comes with a warning: parts of the story are intense and may be disturbing.

The case involved an individual already charged with providing financial support to a spokesperson for Al-Qaeda. While in prison, the suspect confided in another inmate that he wanted to have the judge overseeing his case murdered so a new judge could take over. That inmate quickly became a critical informant.

Following the lead, Eric and his team carefully guided the informant on how to handle future conversations. During their discussions, the suspect openly described how he wanted the murder carried out. The informant then suggested he knew someone who could perform the hit.

When the suspect agreed, shook hands on the plan, and exchanged money for the job, the evidence was undeniable. The plot sealed his fate—ultimately resulting in a 40-year prison sentence.

As part of the operation, Eric had promised the informant a possible five-year reduction in his sentence for cooperating. But in a surprising twist, the informant declined the deal and walked away from the offer entirely.

Morgan Friedman
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Have you ever poured your heart into a project—only to be left unpaid in the end? Rich Wright, Artist, Designer, and Podcast Host, shares a Client Horror Story that left a lasting mark on his career.

At the time, Rich had already begun building a strong reputation, even doing design work for Bacardi. Through those connections, he was introduced to a well-known musical act. The band was big, successful, and looking for someone to design their stage outfits for an upcoming event—and they wanted Rich.

Thrilled by the opportunity, Rich presented his ideas, showcased his portfolio, and signed an agreement to begin the work. But something about the situation made him uneasy from the start. Trusting his instincts, he arranged to be paid in three installments.

After pouring his creativity and effort into the project, Rich personally delivered the final piece of the costume directly to the band's dressing room. That's when everything went sideways. Instead of paying the remaining balance, the band refused—and even handed the situation over to their attorney.

And believe it or not, the story only gets stranger from there. Tune in to hear how Rich navigated the chaos and ultimately fought to claim the payment he rightfully earned.

Morgan Friedman
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Fresh off her resignation from a large corporation, Trisha Daho, now CEO & Founder of Empowered Leadership Cultivation, set out to build her own business. Like many new founders, she quickly learned that the road to success is rarely smooth—and often comes with unexpected challenges.

One of Trisha's first clients came through a trusted friend: the owner of an interior design company who had mastered her craft but had little experience running a business. Trisha stepped in as a consultant, offering guidance on leadership, strategy, and growth. Almost immediately, yellow flags began to surface. Employees openly claimed their boss was the problem, and the owner floated wildly unrealistic ideas—like selling a $700 pair of slippers—then told others it was Trisha's recommendation.

As the situation worsened, the client continued spreading false narratives that damaged Trisha's reputation. Eventually, Trisha was forced to send a cease-and-desist order to put a stop to the misinformation. Although she was never fully paid for her work, walking away from the client became one of the best decisions she ever made.

This episode is a powerful reminder that not all revenue is good revenue—and that protecting your name, boundaries, and peace is sometimes the real win. Tune in to learn more.

Morgan Friedman
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