[Don Ro]

Baz,
If you're as conscious as it appears, I'd say this to you.
In a communication workshop, back when I was self-employed (8 - 10 employees), I learned that 80% of effective communication is the responsibility of the one who is communicating.
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And this...I cultivated the knack of noticing if the client harbored any anger...especially if they were upset about a previous contractor's work.
Those type of potential clients would want my company to come in and rescue a job that the client didn't like.
As you, I never advertised and never lacked for jobs...most often I'd decline to take a job if I sensed an upset client.
I'd just be next on their ch!t list.
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I was once offered a two day job (over a wkend...an industrial company that was closed on wkends) that would have netted me well over $8k.
I turned it down...I sensed some bad energy from the company owner.
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Keep on keeping on....you have a good sense about you.