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As a small business owner and graphic designer, I strive to maintain professionalism, deliver high-quality work on time, and build lasting relationships with my clients. However, my recent experience with Achieve Speech and Language Services, led by Karina Hall, has been a stark reminder of how some businesses fail to respect the time and effort of small service providers like myself.
The Initial Agreement
It all started when Karina Hall reached out to me through SmartMediaShorts.com regarding a logo redesign for her company. She needed the logo to be vectorized, cleaned up, and adjusted to fit her new branding. The request was simple enough: a 24-hour turnaround for $100, including tax, for a fully vectorized logo file, delivered in multiple formats (SVG, PNG, JPG, AI). The project seemed straightforward, and I was happy to accommodate the tight deadline to help her with the new signage for her office.
We exchanged messages where Karina specified the changes she needed, including having two versions of the logo—one with figures and one without. We agreed on the scope of work, price, and the deadline, and I immediately began working on the project. At this point, I had already received confirmation from Karina that the terms were acceptable, and I had clear instructions to move forward.
Delivering the Project in Record Time
In under 24 hours, I completed the requested revisions, vectorized the logo, and delivered several drafts for her review. The work included resizing, adjusting proportions, and providing the various file formats needed for her signage. I followed up with an email containing the samples, as well as an invoice for the agreed-upon amount.
As I awaited payment, I followed up again via email and messaging platforms, ensuring that she had received the files and was satisfied with the work. After a brief delay, Karina responded, apologizing for her busy schedule and promising to review the work later in the day.
Unprofessional Behavior and the Turnaround
Days went by, and I had not received any payment or further feedback. I followed up again, this time expressing concern about the lack of communication regarding the payment. After several more attempts to contact her, Karina finally responded with an email stating that they had decided to "go in a different direction" and would not be proceeding with my services.
This response came after I had already completed the work and delivered everything as requested. I was shocked and disappointed by the sudden change in tone, especially after having provided exactly what was agreed upon in a timely manner. Karina's email thanked me for my "time and creativity," but that was little consolation for the unpaid work I had already invested.
My Response and Her Further Attempts to Avoid Payment
I immediately responded, expressing my disappointment and frustration. I made it clear that, despite her decision to move forward with another option, my work had been completed, and payment was still due. I had honored my end of the agreement, delivered the logo on time, and even offered to make further revisions if necessary. All I requested was that the original invoice be honored.
Karina's response was another example of unprofessionalism. She suddenly backtracked, offering to "work on finding what we need to make the graphics what we are looking for." At this point, it was clear she was trying to manipulate the situation and avoid payment while asking for more free revisions. I stood firm and reiterated that payment was required for the work already completed before any further adjustments could be made.
The Consequences of Disrespecting Small Business Owners
As a small business owner, my time and work are valuable. I pride myself on my ability to deliver quality results, meet deadlines, and go above and beyond for my clients. However, the behavior exhibited by Achieve Speech and Language Services is a clear example of a business that fails to respect these values. By not honoring the payment agreement, they not only wasted my time but also showed a complete disregard for the hard work and dedication of small service providers.
I have since filed complaints with the FTC and posted reviews to ensure other small businesses and freelancers are aware of this experience. I want to make it clear that clients who engage with service providers must respect the time, effort, and professional integrity that goes into every project. If you agree to a service and the work is completed, payment is not optional.
Final Thoughts
This experience with Achieve Speech and Language Services serves as a cautionary tale for other small business owners and freelancers. Always ensure that agreements are clearly documented, and don't be afraid to stand up for your work when clients fail to honor their commitments. It’s essential to protect your time, effort, and reputation, especially when dealing with clients who may attempt to take advantage of small businesses.
For those considering doing business with Achieve Speech and Language Services, I urge you to proceed with caution. Ensure that all agreements are clear and documented, and don't allow yourself to be exploited by those who fail to respect the hard work of small business owners.
As for me, I remain committed to delivering quality work and maintaining professionalism, but I will always stand firm when it comes to fair and timely compensation for the work I do.
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