06/07/2025
When I was first starting out with my janitorial company, every client felt like survival.
Then I landed a big one, it was exciting and we poured ourselves into, making the contract work. Going above and beyond as often as we could to show the client we could handle the work and grow the contract.
At year 2, instead of wanting to expand the contract, they asked me to cut costs.
And by “cut costs,” they meant cut corners. Corners that would’ve put people at risk and violate many ethical standards in the industry.
I wanted to say yes. I needed the money.
But after some serious prayer, I knew,
If I said yes to this, I was saying no to everything I claimed to stand for.
I tried to negotiate with the client, but their response was that there were other companies who would be not have a problem doing what they asked. It was at that moment I knew we didn't care about the same things that we were not in alignment.
So I canceled the contract.
That decision hurt in the moment…
But looking back, it was the first time I stopped chasing clients and started leading my business.
You ever feel that pressure?
The temptation to bend just a little, just this once because you "need the win"?
Let me tell you something I wish someone told me:
Every time you do the hard thing with integrity, you’re rewiring your brain to get stronger.
It’s not just willpower. It’s biology.
Your anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) the part of your brain responsible for resilience literally grows when you do hard things aligned with your values.
That moment didn’t break me.
It built me. Now I don’t let clients choose me. I choose them. When I speak to a perspective client I tell them flat out.
"If you are looking for a magic solution to bring in a bunch of leads and make some fast money, I am probably not the coach for you. But if you want to build a sustainable, business with investment in your people and process? I can help you with that."
Here’s what changed:
1. I created a non-negotiable code of conduct for my business.
2. I listed out red flags and I honor them.
3. I started interviewing clients like they were applying to work with me.
I’m not here to make a quick buck.
I’m here to build a legacy with integrity.
And I’d rather lose a deal than lose who I am.
Here’s the hope:
That hard decision you’re facing right now?
It’s not there to crush you.
It’s there to form you.
You don’t need every client. You need the right ones. The ones who respect your standard and honor your work.
There is so much freedom on the other side of one bold decision.
Keep going.
Even when it costs you.
Your calling is worth more than their contract.
. . Have you ever walked away from money to protect your mission?
It's lessons like this that led me to build the ABCs of Ethical Scaling
a framework designed to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs,
JUST LIKE YOU
build sustainable,
honorable businesses
WITHOUT compromising who they are.
If you’re ready to grow with clarity, conviction, and a mission bigger than money…
Shoot me a message.
Let’s build something that lasts and honors the calling on your life.
