Filter Out Bad-Fit Clients (and Opportunistic Collaborators) by Guest Expert Maryam Hennig, Hons. BA, LL.B

How to protect your energy, reputation, and legal position – while the vibe is still good

THE WAKE-UP CALL: How Bad-Fit Clients Slip In

When you're new to business, it’s easy to miss the red flags of bad-fit clients or opportunistic collaborators.

You start out open-hearted… A podcast invite. A partnership proposal. A business owner who “loves your work.”

You say yes. You give generously. You trust their word. And then….

THAT podcast host ends up using your expertise to build their platform without honoring the terms you discussed or edits;

OR the partner who insisted "keeping it casual", right up until they claimed full ownership of the work you built together;

OR the business owner who asked for a testimonial before they had even delivered what they promised and you gave it, because saying no felt…hard.

They use your name, your energy, your credibility… and vanish.

At that point, you realize they were not collaborators. They were extractors.

And you? You were unprotected.

WHAT MOST FOUNDERS MISS About Opportunistic Collaborators

Here is what I have learned watching this play out across dozens of founders:

The people who take advantage of you are not monsters. They are just optimizing for themselves, and they will keep doing it as long as the structure allows it.

No grand conspiracy. Just someone finding the gaps in your boundaries and walking right through.

I started my career as a litigator…always called in after trust collapsed and the damage was done.

Now, through my firm, Venture House Legal, I help founders build legal structures before the disputes begin.

Because the same five gaps cause 90% of the conflicts I see.

We are not talking about complicated legal drama or freak occurrences. Just simple, predictable holes in how people set up their collaborations.

Gap 1: No written scope "One more thing" becomes infinite. You can't push back because you never defined the edges.

Gap 2: No delivery milestones They ask for your testimonial before they have actually delivered. And you feel like the difficult one for hesitating, especially if they were a friend.

Gap 3: No exit terms When they disappear, there is no consequence. You are left managing the fallout alone, with no structure to hold them accountable.

Gap 4: No IP ownership clarity You build something together. They claim it. You have no documentation to argue otherwise.

Gap 5: No payment structure Surprise invoices for "project management" or "coordination fees" you never agreed to.

HERE'S THE THING

Documentation is not about being suspicious.

The collaborators who respect boundaries? They do not flinch when you introduce structure. They appreciate it, because it protects both of you.

The ones who cringe, who say "let's just keep it loose," who make you feel uptight for wanting clarity? They just showed you exactly who they are.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD to Protect Your Business Boundaries

Before your next collaboration, try this:

Before the call: Send a quick scope confirmation. Two paragraphs. What you are delivering, what they are delivering, by when. Ask them to reply "agreed" before you start. (Anyone who would not do this is telling you something important.)

Before the partnership: Put a proper contract in place.

Not because you expect it to fail, but because you want it to survive success. Clarity on roles, rights, and revenue isn’t cold. It is how trust stays intact when pressure hits.

Before the testimonial: Confirm delivery. "I'd love to provide a testimonial once I've experienced [the thing they promised]. When should I expect that?" Watch how they respond.

This is not about becoming transactional. It is about refusing to operate from lack when things go sideways.

Because they will go sideways. Not with everyone. But with enough people that you need a system. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

When you do not protect your position upfront, you will be stuck choosing between your peace and your principles.

The clients and collaborators who pose as friends will reveal their character the moment they have extracted what they wanted.

Your job is not to predict that.

It’s to design for it.

Before the vibe shifts, structure it! Book a Discovery Call. Protect the relationship. Build with boundaries.

Guest Blog Written By:

Maryam Hennig, Hons. BA, LL.B

Barrister & Solicitor

Legal Disclaimer: This guest blog was authored by a licensed legal professional and is published here for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Viewing or sharing this content does not create a solicitor-client relationship between the reader and the author. Readers are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel regarding any specific legal questions or circumstances.

Connect with Maryam Hennig here:

IG: @maryamthebizlawyer_

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-h-b28822198

Website: www.venturehouselegal.ca