𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆?

Come grab a seat and tell me what you'll do if you were in this situation.

So today, I got a message from a friend who happens to be a fashion designer as well. She wanted us to work together and that was a very good idea.

However, her offer didn't seat well with me.

I normally charge consultation fee ever since I noticed some people just come to me to compare price and leave. I devised this method to curb that, or filter the serious ones from the unserious ones. introducing a consultation fee opened doors for guidance and styling and for my time and data used in attending to them.

At some point, my friend let's call her Cee, was aware and also followed suit for her fashion brand as she liked the idea.

Mind you, she started following every step I took for my fashion brand and I wasn't even bothered. After all, what are friends for?

She didn't go for the upgrade with me but wanted to rebrand as I was rebranding too.

Fast forward to today. She dropped me a message that since I've now gone for an upgrade, there are styles she wouldn't be able to analyze or bring to life, she thought of working along side me to bring it to life.

Here was her offer.

She would send me the styles her clients chose which looked complicated for her to make, after which I would tell her my price (without a consultation fee) even though she would charge consultation fee from whoever wants to make the design.

Secondly that, I wouldn't have the credit to the outfit and have no right to post it on any platform even after I have negotiated a discounted price with her because she would add her commission.

Excuse me? I thought collaboration were meant to help each other grow?
How come she's wanting all the gain all by herself and not even considering me?

If I don't own a right to the outfit at least, then she has to pay me very well, because it's almost like someone stealing my shine.

You alone wants to take the glory and credit for the outfit you have no idea how it's made. You alone wants to take almost all the gain, you wouldn't give me a consultation fee even though you charge and you still want discounts on every outfit I make.

I told her, it wouldn't work , except I have at least a credit for my work or she pays in full for the outfit.

Few minutes later, her WhatsApp was flooded with quotes like.. "People don't really love you for real, they just know you're good person and wants you around. " And I'm like.. "Wtf!! " In my heart.

Does friendship now mean that you dim your light for others to shine to prove you love them?

Too bad, people emotionally blackmail others when they don't get what they want from you. I know from today, there's already a strain on our relationship but do you think I didn't do right? If you were in my shoe, how would you have handled this??