Client Horror Stories

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
Beth's Website
Beth's LinkedIn
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Beth's YouTube Channel

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
Eric's LinkedIn
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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
Rich's Website
Rich's LinkedIn
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Rich's TikTok
Rich's X/Twitter
Rich's Facebook
Rich's YouTube Channel

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
Trisha's Website
Trisha's LinkedIn
Trisha's TikTok

Early in his coaching career, Carlos, Executive Coach & Neuromanagement Expert, was brought in to work with a company's top C-suite executive—someone brilliant at their job, consistently delivering exceptional results. But behind the performance was a serious problem: team members were quitting in droves, admitting they could no longer tolerate their boss's behavior. Simply put, he was a bully.

The company found itself trapped in a lose-lose situation. Letting him go could jeopardize the business due to his irreplaceable expertise. Keeping him meant continued attrition and a toxic culture that threatened the company from within.

Carlos faced an uphill battle. Bullies often disguise aggression as "passion" or "high standards," and rarely recognize the damage they cause. Instead of tackling the issue from one angle, Carlos took a strategic approach—coaching the executive while also equipping the team with tools to communicate, set boundaries, and protect themselves.

If you've ever worked under a bully—or felt powerless in a toxic workplace—this episode offers insight, validation, and practical strategies for navigating it with strength and clarity.

Morgan Friedman
Carlos' Website
Carlos' LinkedIn
Carlos' Instagram