#building a client base in accounting

[unisonglobususa]

How To Start Your Accounting Firm with No Experience? + Free Checklist

Starting your own accounting firm can feel like a big challenge, especially if you don’t have previous experience. But with the right approach, tools, and industry knowledge, it’s entirely possible to build a successful and sustainable business. Whether you aim to provide outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services or manage accounting outsourcing services for small businesses, this guide will help you lay a strong foundation, even if you're starting from scratch.

If you’re considering the exciting opportunity of initiating an accounting firm, you likely have plenty of questions. How do you build a credible brand without a track record? What key steps should you follow to ensure a successful launch? More importantly, how do you compete in a market where established firms already offer accounting outsourcing services and outsourced bookkeeping solutions?

In this blog, we’ll cover the essential steps to help you get started, from understanding your motivations to structuring your firm and integrating the right technology. By the end, you’ll have a clearer path forward and a free checklist to guide you through those first important steps. With a focus on building your firm efficiently and effectively, even without prior experience, this guide will help you confidently enter the accounting industry.

Understanding Your Motivation and Purpose

Before examining the details of launching your accounting firm, it is essential to take a moment to reflect on your motivations. Understanding why you want to embark on this journey will significantly influence your path and help you make informed decisions.

Are you driven by a passion for helping small businesses streamline their finances and achieve their goals? Perhaps you’re inspired by the potential to provide top-tier financial services that empower growing companies to thrive in competitive markets. Identifying your core motivation will not only inform your service offerings but will also serve as a guiding principle in your firm's mission.

Defining Your Long-Term Goals

Establishing clear, long-term goals is vital for the success of your accounting firm. Consider what you envision for your business in the next five to ten years. Do you aspire to expand your firm to include specialized services, such as outsourced bookkeeping and accounting or remote accounting services? Are you aiming to build a team of expert accountants who share your vision? By articulating your long-term goals, you create a roadmap that guides your decision-making processes and helps measure your progress.

Creating a Vision Statement

A well-crafted vision statement encapsulates your aspirations and purpose. It serves as a motivational tool for you and your team, providing clarity on what your firm stands for and the impact you want to make in the accounting industry. Your vision might focus on aspects like providing unparalleled customer service, fostering strong relationships with clients, or being a leader in innovative accounting practices. This statement will not only define your firm's identity but also attract clients who resonate with your values.

Identifying Your Target Market

Understanding your motivation also extends to defining your target market. Are you inclined to serve local small businesses, freelancers, or specific industries like real estate or technology? Each market has unique financial challenges and opportunities, so aligning your motivations with a specific target demographic will enable you to tailor your services effectively. Conducting market research to assess the needs and preferences of your potential clients can further refine your focus, ensuring that your firm addresses real-world challenges and delivers meaningful solutions.

Staying Committed to Your Purpose

As you embark on this journey, remember that challenges will arise. Staying committed to your core motivation and purpose will help you navigate obstacles and maintain your focus. It’s essential to remain adaptable and open to feedback as you grow, while always keeping your initial vision in mind. This dedication not only fuels your personal motivation but also inspires confidence in your clients, fostering long-term relationships built on trust and reliability.

Gaining Industry Knowledge

Even without prior experience, you can swiftly build the essential industry knowledge needed to launch a successful accounting firm. In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving financial landscape, staying informed about accounting trends, regulations, and best practices is crucial for delivering high-quality services to your clients.

Embrace Continuous Learning

The accounting profession is marked by constant changes in regulations, technologies, and client expectations. Embracing a mindset of continuous learning is fundamental to staying ahead. Consider enrolling in online courses that cover essential topics such as tax laws, auditing standards, and accounting software. Obtaining relevant certifications, such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant), can also enhance your credibility and open doors to new opportunities.

Stay Updated with Industry Trends

Being proactive in your learning journey includes staying updated on industry trends and regulatory changes. Subscribing to reputable accounting publications, such as the Journal of Accountancy or CPA Practice Advisor, will keep you informed about the latest news, case studies, and best practices. Many of these publications also offer newsletters, making it easy to receive timely updates directly in your inbox.

In addition, attending webinars and industry conferences can provide valuable insights and networking opportunities. These events often feature expert speakers who share their knowledge on emerging trends, challenges, and innovative solutions in the accounting field. Participating in professional organizations, such as the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) or state CPA societies, can further enhance your network and provide access to resources that support your growth.

Leverage Technology and Resources

As you build your knowledge base, leverage technology to your advantage. There are numerous resources available online, including forums, podcasts, and blogs dedicated to accounting and finance. Engaging with these platforms can expose you to diverse perspectives and practical tips that can be applied in your firm. Consider joining accounting-focused online communities or social media groups where professionals share insights, answer questions, and support one another.

Develop a Knowledge Network

Building a network of knowledgeable contacts within the accounting industry can be incredibly beneficial. Connect with experienced accountants, mentors, or industry peers who can provide guidance and share their experiences. Networking not only allows you to gain insights but also opens doors for collaboration and potential referrals as you establish your firm.

Commit to Lifelong Learning

Finally, make a commitment to lifelong learning. The accounting profession demands adaptability, and being open to new knowledge will serve you well in your entrepreneurial journey. Regularly assess your skill set and identify areas for improvement or specialization. By prioritizing education and knowledge, you’ll not only enhance your expertise but also position your firm as a trusted resource for clients seeking comprehensive accounting solutions.

Identifying Your Target Market

Defining your niche is a pivotal strategic move that can significantly distinguish your accounting firm from the competition. As you consider the direction of your business, ask yourself: Will you focus on serving small businesses, freelancers, or larger corporations? By honing in on a specific target market, you can better understand their unique challenges and tailor your services to meet their needs effectively.

Understanding the Needs of Your Target Market

Every market segment has distinct characteristics and requirements. For instance, small businesses may prioritize affordable outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services that fit their budget, while larger corporations may seek comprehensive financial strategies and in-depth reporting. To accurately identify your target market, conduct thorough market research to uncover the specific needs and pain points of potential clients. Surveys, interviews, and industry reports can provide valuable insights that inform your service offerings and marketing strategies.

Key Services to Offer

Once you’ve established your target market, consider the key services that will resonate with them. Some essential services to contemplate include:

Outsourced Bookkeeping and Accounting Services: Many small businesses struggle to maintain accurate financial records. Offering tailored solutions can alleviate their burden and allow them to focus on core operations.

Tax Preparation: Tax regulations can be complex and time-consuming for business owners. Providing expert tax preparation services can help clients navigate their obligations while ensuring compliance and maximizing potential deductions.

Financial Planning: Helping businesses develop comprehensive financial strategies not only enhances their stability but also positions you as a trusted advisor. This service can include budgeting, forecasting, and investment advice tailored to the specific goals of your clients.

Specialized Industry Services: Consider focusing on niche markets, such as real estate, healthcare, or technology. Designed expertise in these areas can set you apart as a go-to resource for clients seeking specialized knowledge.

Building Your Reputation as an Expert

A clear niche simplifies your marketing efforts and allows you to concentrate your resources on attracting the right clients. It also enables you to build a solid reputation as an expert in your chosen area. By delivering high-quality services and demonstrating your industry knowledge, you’ll cultivate trust with your clients, making them more likely to refer you to others.

Engaging in thought leadership activities, such as writing articles, giving presentations, or hosting webinars, can further enhance your visibility within your target market. Sharing valuable insights and practical advice showcases your expertise and positions your firm as a reliable resource for prospective clients.

Shaping Your Marketing Strategy

Once you've defined your target market and service offerings, adapt your marketing strategy accordingly. Utilize SEO-friendly content on your website and blog to attract your ideal clients, focusing on keywords relevant to their needs, such as outsourced accounting services and tax consultancy for small businesses. Leverage social media platforms to connect with potential clients and engage in conversations about industry trends and challenges.

By thoughtfully identifying and understanding your target market, you can create a strong foundation for your accounting firm, ensuring your services align with client needs and establishing a reputation for excellence in your niche.

Creating a Solid Business Plan

Every successful business starts with a comprehensive plan. A well-structured business plan serves as your roadmap, guiding you through the various stages of establishing and growing your accounting firm. It outlines your mission, details the services you will offer, and presents your financial projections. A solid business plan is not just a document for your reference; it's a crucial tool for attracting investors and securing funding.

Define Your Mission and Vision

At the heart of your business plan should be your mission and vision statements. These articulate what your firm stands for and the impact you aim to make within the accounting industry. Your mission should clearly express your firm's purpose—whether it’s providing exceptional outsourced accounting services or supporting small businesses with tailored financial solutions. Your vision should outline your long-term aspirations, guiding your strategic decisions and inspiring your team.

Detail Your Service Offerings

Clearly defining your service offerings is essential for positioning your firm in the marketplace. Highlighting services such as remote bookkeeping solutions, tax preparation, and financial consulting can attract potential clients looking for modern, efficient options. Each service should be accompanied by a description of its benefits, demonstrating how you can meet the specific needs of your target market. For example, explain how your outsourced bookkeeping services can save clients time and reduce stress, allowing them to focus on their core business operations.

Market Analysis

A comprehensive market analysis is a critical component of your business plan. This section should include information on industry trends, target demographics, and competitive analysis. Understanding the landscape will help you identify opportunities for growth and areas where your firm can differentiate itself. Analyze competitors’ strengths and weaknesses to find gaps in the market that your firm can fill, such as offering niche services or exceptional customer support.

Financial Projections

Financial projections provide a clear picture of your firm’s anticipated performance over the next few years. Include detailed forecasts of your income, expenses, and cash flow. This section is essential for potential investors or lenders, as it demonstrates your understanding of the financial aspects of running a business. Be realistic with your projections, considering factors such as startup costs, pricing strategies, and expected growth. Break down your financial goals into actionable milestones to track your progress effectively.

Funding and Investment Strategy

If you plan to seek funding or investment, outline your strategy in this section. Detail how much capital you need, how you intend to use it, and what return investors can expect. Providing a clear funding strategy not only enhances your credibility but also reassures potential investors that you have a solid plan for growth. Highlight your unique value proposition, such as your expertise in outsourced bookkeeping and accounting, to make your firm appealing to investors.

Operational Plan

An operational plan outlines the day-to-day functions of your accounting firm. This section should detail your staffing needs, office setup (whether physical or virtual), and technology requirements. Discuss the systems and processes you will implement to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, such as project management tools, accounting software, and client relationship management systems. A well-thought-out operational plan helps demonstrate that you are prepared to handle the complexities of running an accounting firm.

Review and Revise

Creating a business plan is not a one-time task; it should be a living document that evolves as your firm grows. Regularly review and revise your plan to reflect changes in the market, shifts in your business strategy, or advancements in technology. Being adaptable and responsive to new information will help you stay ahead of the competition and ensure the long-term success of your firm.

By dedicating the time and effort to create a solid business plan, you lay the groundwork for a successful accounting firm. This document will not only guide your operations but also serve as a powerful tool for attracting clients and securing investments.

Choosing a Legal Structure

One of the fundamental decisions you’ll make when starting your accounting firm is choosing the right legal structure. This choice will have significant implications for your business operations, liability exposure, and tax obligations. The three most common legal structures for accounting firms are sole proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), and partnership. Understanding the pros and cons of each option will help you select the one that aligns best with your business goals and long-term vision.

Sole Proprietorship

Operating as a sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common structure for small business owners, particularly for those starting out in the accounting field. This structure allows you to have complete control over your firm and its operations.

Pros:

Simplicity: Setting up a sole proprietorship is straightforward and requires minimal paperwork.

Full Control: As the sole owner, you make all the decisions and retain all profits.

Tax Benefits: Income is reported on your personal tax return, potentially simplifying your tax obligations.

Cons:

Unlimited Liability: One of the most significant drawbacks is that you are personally liable for all debts and legal obligations of the business. This means your personal assets could be at risk in the event of a lawsuit or financial difficulties.

Limited Growth Potential: Raising capital can be challenging, as you may rely solely on personal funds or loans.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

An LLC is a popular choice for many new accounting firms because it provides liability protection while allowing for flexibility in management and taxation.

Pros:

Liability Protection: An LLC shields your personal assets from business liabilities, meaning your personal finances are generally protected in case of lawsuits or debts incurred by the business.

Tax Flexibility: An LLC can choose to be taxed as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, providing options to optimize your tax situation.

Professional Credibility: Operating as an LLC can enhance your firm's credibility with clients, as it signals a commitment to professionalism.

Cons:

Formation Costs: Establishing an LLC typically involves filing fees and additional paperwork compared to a sole proprietorship.

Ongoing Requirements: Depending on your state, there may be ongoing compliance requirements, such as annual reports or fees.

Partnership

If you’re planning to start your accounting firm with one or more partners, forming a partnership can be an effective structure. Partnerships can be general or limited, depending on the roles and liabilities of each partner.

Pros:

Shared Resources and Expertise: Partnerships allow you to pool resources, skills, and knowledge, potentially leading to a stronger firm.

Simplified Taxation: Like sole proprietorships, partnerships typically do not pay income tax at the business level. Instead, profits and losses are passed over to the partners’ individual tax returns.

Cons:

Shared Liability: In a general partnership, all partners share liability for the business's debts and obligations, which can expose personal assets.

Potential for Disputes: Partnerships require a strong foundation of trust and clear communication to avoid conflicts that can arise from differing opinions or business decisions.

Making the Right Choice

When selecting the legal structure for your accounting firm, consider factors such as your business goals, financial situation, and the level of risk you’re willing to take. It’s essential to consult with legal and financial advisors to understand the implications of each structure fully. They can help you evaluate the benefits and drawbacks based on your specific circumstances and guide you in making an informed decision.

Ultimately, the right legal structure will not only protect your personal assets but also position your firm for growth and success. As you move forward, keep in mind that you can always adjust your legal structure as your business evolves, allowing you to remain flexible and responsive to changing circumstances.

Setting Up Your Office

As you establish your accounting firm, one of the crucial decisions you'll face is whether to operate from a physical office or embrace a virtual setup. The choice you make will significantly influence your firm’s operations, costs, and client interactions.

Physical Office vs. Virtual Office

Choosing a physical office offers a traditional approach, allowing you to create a dedicated space where you can meet clients, collaborate with team members, and maintain a professional presence. However, this option often comes with higher overhead costs, including rent, utilities, and maintenance.

On the other hand, a virtual office has become increasingly popular among accounting firms, thanks to advancements in technology. This model allows for reduced overhead expenses while providing greater flexibility for both employees and clients. Many firms find that a virtual setup not only enhances work-life balance for their teams but also enables them to attract talent from a wider geographical area.

Benefits of a Virtual Office

Cost Efficiency: Operating virtually can significantly reduce expenses related to office space, utilities, and commuting. These savings can be redirected towards technology investments and marketing efforts.

Flexibility: A virtual office allows you and your team to work from various locations, which can enhance productivity and job satisfaction. This flexibility can also make it easier to accommodate clients' schedules, as meetings can be conducted via video conferencing or phone calls.

Access to Technology: Virtual accounting firms often rely on cloud-based solutions, enabling seamless access to financial data and collaboration tools. This technological integration ensures that your team can work efficiently, regardless of location.

Setting Up Your Physical Office

If you choose to establish a physical office, consider the following essential components:

Location: Select a location that is convenient for your target clients and has access to essential amenities, such as parking and public transportation.

Office Equipment: Invest in high-quality office furniture, computers, printers, and other essential equipment to create a functional workspace. Ensure that you have reliable internet connectivity and cybersecurity measures in place to protect sensitive financial information.

Meeting Space: Designate a professional area for client meetings, equipped with the necessary technology for presentations and video conferencing.

Creating an Efficient Workflow

Regardless of the office setup you choose, it’s important to create an environment that fosters productivity and collaboration. Implement efficient workflows and utilize project management tools to streamline communication among team members. Cloud-based platforms allow for real-time collaboration, making it easier for your team to share documents and updates.

Essential Software and Tools

Equipping your office with the right software is essential for handling accounting tasks effectively. In addition to accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero, consider incorporating tools for:

Client Relationship Management (CRM): A CRM system can help you manage client interactions and track leads, ensuring no opportunities are overlooked.

Project Management: Utilize project management tools like Trello or Asana to organize tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress.

Communication: Implement secure communication tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate seamless collaboration among team members, regardless of their location.

Preparing for Future Growth

As your firm grows, be prepared to adapt your office setup to accommodate changing needs. Whether that means transitioning to a hybrid model or expanding your physical office space, staying flexible will ensure your firm remains agile in the face of growth.

In conclusion, the decision between a physical or virtual office should align with your firm’s vision, budget, and operational goals. By thoughtfully considering your options and equipping your office with the necessary tools, you set a strong foundation for your accounting firm’s success.

Integrating Technology

In today's fast-paced business environment, technology is at the heart of modern accounting practices. Integrating cutting-edge accounting software into your firm’s operations is essential for enhancing productivity, improving accuracy, and delivering exceptional service to your clients.

Choosing the Right Accounting Software

Selecting the right accounting software can significantly impact your firm’s efficiency and effectiveness. Look for solutions that streamline financial management processes and allow for real-time data access. Popular options like QuickBooks and Xero provide a range of features tailored to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses.

QuickBooks: This user-friendly platform offers robust functionalities for invoicing, expense tracking, payroll management, and financial reporting. Its extensive integrations with other applications make it a versatile choice for accounting firms.

Xero: Known for its intuitive interface, Xero provides comprehensive accounting tools, including bank reconciliation, expense claims, and reporting features. Its cloud-based nature allows for collaboration with clients and team members in real time, enhancing communication and efficiency.

Embracing Cloud-Based Solutions

Transitioning to cloud-based accounting solutions offers numerous advantages for your firm. Cloud technology ensures that your data is securely stored and accessible from anywhere, providing flexibility in how you operate. This is particularly beneficial for remote work environments, enabling you to manage client accounts, access financial reports, and collaborate with your team seamlessly.

Scalability: Cloud solutions can easily scale with your business as it grows, accommodating increased data storage needs and additional users without the hassle of upgrading hardware or software.

Enhanced Security: Reputable cloud providers invest heavily in security measures, protecting sensitive financial data from unauthorized access and potential breaches. Regular backups and disaster recovery options further safeguard your firm’s information.

Automating Routine Tasks

Integrating technology also allows you to automate routine accounting tasks, freeing up time for more strategic activities. For example, automated invoicing can ensure timely billing, while recurring payment features simplify the accounts receivable process. Consider implementing tools that automate payroll, tax calculations, and financial reporting, significantly reducing manual errors and saving valuable time.

Utilizing Client Portals

Establishing client portals is another effective way to integrate technology into your accounting practice. These secure online platforms enable clients to upload documents, access financial reports, and communicate with your team. Providing a seamless client experience enhances customer satisfaction and fosters trust, making your firm more appealing to prospective clients.

Staying Informed About Technological Advances

The accounting technology landscape is continually evolving, so staying informed about the latest advancements is crucial. Subscribe to industry publications, attend webinars, and participate in conferences to learn about emerging tools and software. Engaging with peers in professional networks can also provide insights into best practices and innovative solutions that enhance your firm’s operations.

Investing in Training and Support

As you integrate new technology, ensure that you invest in training for yourself and your team. Familiarity with the software and tools will maximize their potential and streamline your firm’s workflows. Consider utilizing online tutorials, vendor-provided training sessions, or industry-specific courses to boost your team’s proficiency.

By embracing technology and integrating it effectively into your accounting firm, you position yourself for long-term success. The right tools not only enhance productivity and accuracy but also allow your firm to remain agile and adaptable in a rapidly changing industry.

Marketing Your Firm

To attract clients to your accounting firm, a robust marketing strategy is essential. A well-executed marketing plan not only increases visibility but also establishes your reputation as a trusted provider of outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services. Here are key elements to consider when developing your marketing strategy:

Build a Professional Website

Your website completes as the digital storefront for your accounting firm. It should clearly highlight your services, expertise, and unique value proposition. Ensure your website is user-friendly and optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. Key elements to include are:

Service Descriptions: Clearly outline the accounting services you offer, such as tax preparation, financial planning, and remote bookkeeping solutions. Be specific about how your services can meet the needs of your target market.

Testimonials and Case Studies: Showcase positive feedback from satisfied clients to build trust with potential customers. Real-life examples of how you’ve helped clients achieve their financial goals can make a significant impact.

Blog Content: Regularly updating your website with informative blog posts not only positions you as an expert in the field but also improves your site’s search engine optimization (SEO). Use relevant keywords, such as outsourced accounting services and accounting firm checklist, to attract organic traffic.

Leverage Social Media Platforms

Social media is a effective tool for increasing visibility and engaging with potential clients. Choose platforms that align with your target market, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. Consider the following strategies:

Share Valuable Content: Post articles, tips, and industry news that provide value to your audience. Sharing insights related to accounting trends or tax updates can position you as a knowledgeable resource.

Engage with Your Audience: Reply to comments and messages quickly to foster engagement. Participate in significant discussions and groups to connect with potential clients and demonstrate your expertise.

Run Targeted Ads: Utilize social media advertising to reach a broader audience. Running targeted ads can help you attract specific demographics that align with your ideal client profile.

Utilize Email Marketing

Email marketing continues one of the most effective ways to foster leads and maintain relationships with clients. Create a mailing list and send regular newsletters that include:

Industry Updates: Share news about changes in tax laws, accounting practices, or industry trends to keep your audience informed.

Service Promotions: Highlight your services, special offers, or new service launches to encourage clients to reach out.

Client Success Stories: Showcase case studies that illustrate how your services have benefited clients, reinforcing your firm’s value.

Network Offline

While online marketing is crucial, offline strategies should not be overlooked. Building relationships within your community can significantly boost your firm’s reputation. Consider these approaches:

Attend Industry Events: Participate in accounting conferences, workshops, or local business expos to network with other professionals. These events provide opportunities to meet potential clients and establish valuable connections.

Join Professional Organizations: Becoming a member of accounting associations or local chambers of commerce can enhance your credibility and expand your network. Engage in community events to raise awareness of your firm.

Collaborate with Local Businesses: Partner with other businesses that complement your services, such as legal firms or financial advisors. Cross-promotions can introduce your firm to new audiences.

Monitor and Adjust Your Strategy

As you implement your marketing strategy, it’s essential to track your efforts and measure their effectiveness. Use tools like Google Analytics to assess website traffic and user behavior. Monitor your social media engagement and email open rates to understand what resonates with your audience. Based on the data, be prepared to adjust your strategy to optimize results continually.

In conclusion, a comprehensive marketing strategy that combines online and offline efforts is vital for attracting clients to your accounting firm. By establishing a professional online presence, engaging with your audience, and building relationships within your community, you can create a strong foundation for your firm's growth and success.

Building a Client Base

Networking is essential for establishing a robust client base, particularly during the initial stages of your accounting firm. Here are key strategies to consider:

Attend Industry Conferences: Participate in relevant events to connect with potential clients and industry peers. These gatherings provide opportunities to showcase your expertise and expand your professional network.

Join Professional Groups: Engage with local or national accounting associations to meet other professionals and gain insights into best practices. Membership often offers access to resources and networking events.

Ask for Referrals: Don’t hesitate to request referrals from satisfied clients or industry contacts. Word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful and can significantly enhance your credibility.

Establish Partnerships: Collaborate with other firms that offer complementary services, such as legal or tax advisory practices. These partnerships can start to common referrals and broaden your client base.

By actively networking and fostering relationships within the industry, you can effectively build a solid client base for your accounting firm.

Overcoming Challenges

Starting an accounting firm without prior experience presents a unique set of challenges. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can effectively navigate these hurdles and build a successful practice. Here are some general challenges and tips for defeating them:

Managing Client Expectations

One of the most significant challenges you may face is managing client expectations. Clients often expect timely communication, transparency, and exceptional service. To address this, establish clear communication channels from the start and set realistic timelines for deliverables. Regularly update clients on their account status and be proactive in addressing any concerns they may have.

Keeping Up with Industry Changes

The accounting landscape is constantly evolving, with new regulations, technologies, and best practices emerging regularly. Staying informed is crucial for maintaining your firm's relevance. Commit to continuous learning through online courses, webinars, and industry publications. Joining professional organizations can also provide access to valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Building Confidence and Credibility

As a new firm owner, you may struggle with self-doubt or a lack of credibility. Overcoming this requires perseverance and a commitment to building your expertise. Leverage testimonials from satisfied clients, share success stories, and engage in thought leadership by writing articles or participating in webinars. Gradually, as you demonstrate your knowledge and skills, you will build trust with both clients and colleagues.

Developing a Strong Support System

Entrepreneurship can be isolating, so it’s essential to have a solid support system. Seek out mentors or join peer groups to share experiences and advice. Mentors can provide invaluable insights based on their own experiences, while peer groups can offer encouragement and accountability. Engaging with a community of like-minded professionals can help you navigate the challenges of starting and running your firm.

Staying Patient and Resilient

Success in the accounting industry doesn’t happen overnight. It requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to learn from setbacks. Accept challenges as opportunities for growth, and remember that determination is key. Reflect on your progress regularly, celebrate small wins, and remain focused on your long-term goals.

By being prepared for these challenges and implementing strategies to overcome them, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of starting your accounting firm. With resilience and a commitment to continuous learning, you can turn obstacles into stepping stones on your path to success.

Free Checklist: Steps to Start Your Accounting Firm

Starting your accounting firm can be a fulfilling journey when approached methodically. Use this checklist to ensure you cover all the essential steps:

Define Your Motivation and Goals

Reflect on why you want to start an accounting firm. Establish both short-term and long-term goals to guide your journey and keep you focused.

Gain Industry Knowledge Through Courses and Certifications

Enroll in relevant online courses and pursue certifications to enhance your expertise. This knowledge will build your confidence and credibility in the field.

Identify and Research Your Target Market

Determine the specific clientele you want to serve, such as small businesses, freelancers, or specific industries. Conduct market research to understand their unique needs and preferences.

Create a Comprehensive Business Plan

Develop a detailed business plan outlining your mission, services, market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategies. This file will serve as your roadmap for star.

Choose the Appropriate Legal Structure for Your Firm

Decide on the legal structure that best suits your business model, such as a sole proprietorship, LLC, or partnership. Consider liability protection, tax implications, and operational flexibility.

Set Up Your Office (Physical or Virtual)

Choose a suitable office setup based on your business model. Ensure you have the necessary equipment and technology in place to facilitate efficient operations.

Integrate Essential Technology and Software

Invest in accounting software and tools that enhance productivity and accuracy. Consider cloud-based solutions for better accessibility and collaboration.

Develop a Marketing Strategy

Create a marketing plan that includes online and offline strategies to attract clients. Focus on building a professional website, leveraging social media, and networking within your community.

Network and Build Your Client Base

Attend industry events, join professional groups, and seek referrals to establish connections. Building a solid network is vital for client acquisition and business growth.

Prepare for and Overcome Common Challenges

Anticipate potential challenges you may face and develop strategies to address them. Establish a support system of mentors and peers to help you navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

Starting an accounting firm with no prior experience may seem daunting, but it is entirely achievable with determination, the right resources, and strategic planning. As you embark on this exciting journey, remember that every successful firm begins with a solid foundation built on careful consideration and informed decisions.

By following this guide and utilizing our free checklist, you can systematically approach each critical step, from defining your motivation to building a robust client base. Each phase of this process is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the challenges of the accounting industry effectively.

If you're ready to make your mark in the accounting sector, now is the time to act. Embrace the journey ahead, remain adaptable, and stay committed to your goals. Remember, many successful accounting professionals started just where you are now, facing uncertainty and challenges. Your passion, paired with the strategies outlined in this guide, will position you for success.

As you move forward, don’t hesitate to seek support from mentors and industry peers who can offer guidance and encouragement along the way. With the right mindset and preparation, you can establish a thriving accounting firm that meets the needs of your clients and stands out in a competitive market.

Take that first step today and unlock the potential that awaits you in the world of accounting!

Original Source: https://unisonglobus.com/how-to-start-an-accounting-firm-with-no-experience/

[bc-jpeg]

What do you think about Mumbo's art cam in the newer episodes?

I am personally still shocked like, HE CAN DO ART NOW? This man won't stop suprising me, I love it so much, also I don't see many people talking about that and I have no idea why because for me it's the best thing ever.

Anyways, hope you're doing good :D byee

the man does literally EVERYTHING.

when mumbo created @a.creative.junkyard for his art practice, only then I realized that he had literally been doing something like this for several years already. firstly for youtube, and after that he created many presentations of film projects to work with his clients, which already means a quite good basic skill in graphic design and especially the design eye.

still a big fan of his works from this account.

I love how he got creative with the start of season 10, using his skills to add some fun to the editing by creating new slides for his episodes. the way he’s sincerely passionate about creating such things, I empathically feel his joy.

mumbo started visualizing the whole stories through what he creates, and all the effort, work and fun is absolutely worth it. he may have had some small storytelling pieces before, but now it has definitely moved to another level.

the hand drawn concepts. if you look closely at the video, he strokes the colors manually. mumbo gets so immersed in the process when drawing these concepts, it feels therapeutic even. I always liked to see the concepts of the other hermit’s bases, that they drew by hand. since my main hobby is drawing, it always brings me closer to people on some other level when I see their drawings. as a big fan of mumbo, I’m so infinitely happy that he started to show this part of the process too. these concepts always add even more to the result, I don’t know how to explain it in words. just more. more sense of life from a story, from a building itself.

mumbo has knowledge and experience, but it's like he's been focusing on other aspects while building on the server before. in season 9, he started moving in a different direction more, and now it has achieved clear visible progress, he’s more actively experimenting and isn’t afraid to take on something that he has never done. now mumbo is even more confidently saying that he’s proud of himself.

this may seem insignificant to an outsider viewer, but

for a man who has been building redstone stuff and solid giant symmetry for several years in a row, it’s mind blowing.

[kiirodora]

Hello everyone! I am opening commissions for profile icons of any character and also Object Show character drawings to help raise funds for Palestinian evacuation fundraisers.

SLOTS: 0/10 Commission details:

I will draw either your own Object Show character or a character you like from any Object Show in exchange for your donations!

For a 5€ donation, a cleaned sketch

For 10€, a cleaned sketch with flat colors (so no shading)

For 15€, an inked and rendered drawing.

How Does This Work?:

Donate the required amount to the fundraisers in the list below. You can pick one fundraiser or split your donations between multiple.

Take a screenshot of your proof of donation with the date of donation visible and send it to the e-mail address or the Discord account also found below. Take care not to reveal any personal information!

If you want your original character drawn, please provide a reference picture for said character! If they have never been drawn before, a picture of the exact real life object you want drawn and/or a basic sketch you made will suffice.

Terms of Service: (make sure you read this before contacting!)

Nothing promoting hate

No NSFW

Non-commercial only (the resulting art cannot be used in a commercial project)

I may share the finished image with a watermark covering on social media, but the clean version won't be posted online.

The commission work will take at most 20 days to finish. I will keep in contact with the client with frequent updates.

For the Flat Color and Lineart + Render options, no changes will be done on the artwork after the initial sketch is approved by the client since the coloring will have started by then.

I retain the right to ask you to change your request if it doesn't fit in my ToS or otherwise is not possible for me to draw.

(Since this a donation based commission and as such is paid in advance, I will of course draw something regardless! But if the request does not align with the ToS I will kindly ask the client to think of another idea for the drawing.)

Contact:

kiiro4789 (Discord) Or by mail: kiirodoradora@gmail.com

List of fundraisers:

All of these fundraisers have been vetted by Palestinian accounts.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-monis-and-family-escape-gaza-for-urgent-treatment

https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-ahmeds-journey-to-safety-and-education

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-safaas-quest-to-get-her-family-to-safety

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-palestine-and-family-survive-the-gaza-crisis

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-nabilas-fight-for-health-and-dignity

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-aseels-fight-for-life-and-family-in-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bww5x-help-us-build-new-hope-for-me-and-my-family

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-abboud-from-the-war

https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-muhammad-musa-fundraiser

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-doaas-family-escape-to-safety

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-evacuate-my-family-from-gaza-and-rebuild-our-life

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sara-and-her-family-to-evacuate-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ahmed-rebuild-hope-and-stability

https://www.gofundme.com/f/reconstruction-of-a-destroyed-house

https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-in-the-time-of-war

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-wafas-fight-for-safety-and-health

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-abeds-family-survive-and-escape-war

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-build-new-hope-for-me-and-my-family

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-hashems-family-escape-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/evacuate-yousef-and-his-family-from-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-kareman-dohans-family-from-despair

https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-the-helles-family-achieve-a-better-future

https://www.gofundme.com/f/pm8th-help-me-and-my-family-please

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-life-of-an-innocent-child

https://www.gofundme.com/f/empower-olas-pursuit-of-education-amid-crisis

https://www.gofundme.com/f/4qzqg-help-a-family-from-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/gor-en-skillnad-for-gaza-varje-krona-raknas (IMPORTANT: 5€ is 57 SEK as of now, so please donate accordingly)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Stand-With-AlBalawi-Family

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-family-to-live-and-go-to-a-safe-place

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-my-daughter-to-leave-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mohis-fight-for-survival-in-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/be-the-reason-to-save-a-family-in-gaza

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-doaa-rebuild-her-sewing-business

[payblogs]

DARK SMS - DRAGON+

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, maintaining privacy and security while communicating is more important than ever. Introducing DarkSMS, a cutting-edge virtual SMS platform designed to streamline your messaging experience without compromising your personal information. With our innovative virtual number service, users can receive SMS messages securely and anonymously, eliminating the risks associated with sharing private phone numbers. Whether you’re signing up for online services, verifying accounts, or simply looking to keep your communication confidential, DarkSMS has got you covered. 

Virtual SMS

Virtual SMS refers to the messaging service that enables users to send and receive text messages through a virtual phone number rather than a traditional mobile line. This service is particularly useful for individuals and businesses looking to maintain privacy while communicating or verifying accounts.

One of the key advantages of using virtual sms is the ability to receive SMS without revealing your personal phone number. This is especially beneficial for online transactions, sign-ups for apps, or any situation where you might need to provide a phone number but want to protect your privacy.

Furthermore, virtual numbers can be easily managed from a web-based platform, allowing users to organize and store messages effectively. Many service providers offer features such as message forwarding, where received SMS messages can be redirected to your email or other platforms, ensuring you never miss an important notification.

In addition to privacy and convenience, virtual SMS services are often cost-effective. They eliminate the need for extra SIM cards or mobile contracts, allowing users to only pay for the services they actually use. This flexibility makes virtual number services highly attractive for startups and individuals working from remote locations.

As businesses increasingly adopt digital communication strategies, integrating virtual SMS into their operations can enhance customer interaction and improve engagement through instant messaging capabilities.

Virtual Number Service

A virtual number service offers a practical solution for individuals and businesses looking to maintain privacy while receiving communications. By using a virtual number, you can receive SMS messages without exposing your personal phone number. This feature is especially useful for those engaged in online transactions, such as e-commerce, as it safeguards against unwanted spam and protects your identity.

One of the key advantages of a virtual number service is its capability to function seamlessly alongside your primary phone line. Users can receive messages from various platforms effectively, whether it's for verification purposes, two-factor authentication, or simply keeping in touch with clients. The convenience of managing multiple numbers through a single device cannot be overstated.

With options to select numbers from different geographic locations, this service caters to users looking to establish a local presence in different markets. Moreover, these numbers can be set up quickly and easily, providing instant access to receive SMS without lengthy contracts or commitments.

To optimize your experience with virtual SMS and virtual number services, consider features like call forwarding, voicemail, and the ability to choose your own number. Such functionality enhances user experience by offering flexibility in communication while maintaining professional boundaries.

Ultimately, investing in a virtual number service can significantly enhance your business's communication strategy, allowing you to receive SMS reliably while focusing on building relationships with your clients.

Receive SMS

Receiving SMS through a virtual number is a convenient service that allows users to get text messages without needing a physical SIM card. This is particularly beneficial for individuals and businesses looking for privacy or those who wish to avoid exposing their personal phone numbers.

The process is straightforward: once you obtain a virtual number through a reliable virtual number service, you can start receiving sms messages. This service is essential for various reasons, including:

  Account verification codes: Many online platforms use SMS to send verification codes. A virtual number allows you to receive these codes securely.

  Business communications: Companies can use virtual SMS to receive client inquiries or feedback without revealing their primary contact numbers.

  Privacy protection: By receiving SMS through a virtual number, users can protect their personal phone numbers from spam and unwanted solicitation.

Moreover, the get SMS feature of a virtual number service ensures that you don’t miss any important messages, even if you are on the move. Messages are often stored digitally, which means you can access them anytime and anywhere.

In summary, the ability to receive SMS through a virtual number enhances both privacy and accessibility, making it a valuable tool for users in various contexts.

Get SMS

Getting SMS messages through a virtual number service has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and versatility. Whether you need to receive texts for verification purposes or want to maintain privacy while communicating, virtual SMS provides a robust solution.

With a virtual number, you can easily get sms from anywhere in the world without needing a physical SIM card. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that require secure communication with clients or customers, as it ensures that sensitive information remains confidential.

Here are some advantages of using a virtual number to get SMS:

Privacy Protection: Using a virtual number helps keep your personal phone number private.

Accessibility: You can receive SMS messages on multiple devices, including tablets and laptops.

Cost-Effective: Virtual SMS services typically come with lower costs than traditional SMS plans.

Global Reach: You can get SMS messages from international numbers without incurring roaming fees.

Easy Setup: Setting up a virtual number to receive SMS is straightforward and often takes just a few minutes.

In summary, leveraging a virtual number service for SMS communication allows you to manage your messages efficiently while maintaining privacy, enhancing accessibility, and reducing costs. This is particularly useful for both personal and business communications, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to streamline their SMS functions.

[star-anise]

are we talking about broke therapists yet?

I've been out of things for a couple of years now, which is why I'm willing to talk about it, and maybe the pandemic has helped things a little, but holy shit the counselling and psychotherapy field is not equipped to help its practitioners in the gig economy.

Of all my interests and talents, I pursued a degree in psychology because being a therapist is supposed to be a safe, stable, well-paid job. Every therapist I met who was registered before 2008 worked and lived under that assumption. And oh boy are all the fee structures--registration, supervision, continuing education, conferences--set up for that scenario.

After getting my Master's, I struggled like hell to get a job. It was especially bad because to get my license, I needed a supervisor to take me on. To take me on, most supervisors wanted me to already have a caseload and client base. To get a caseload and client base, I needed a job.

Friends: Every single job I heard back on wanted me to have my license before I could even land an interview.

Professors and career advisors and professional development specialists all advised me very earnestly to just keep cold-calling people on the supervision list, and it began to feel a lot like my parents' friends telling me to hit the bricks and hand out resumes. That's what worked for them, right?

I finally got a supervisor who agreed to take me on, and I'd be able to use her clinic for advertising and workspace, and we were doing the paperwork to send in with my registration, when she called me up and said, "Is this job going to be your only source of income? If you're trying to depend on getting clients and building your practice for your basic needs, this is not going to work out. This has to be something you're doing on top of a basic salary. Okay, so you're not working anywhere else right now? I'm sorry, I can't move forward with this."

Even once I landed a supervisor and a job building my own private practice, I struggled. I have ADHD and am not great at self-promotion, so trying to do all my own advertising, scheduling, bookkeeping, billing, and records management (on top of counselling) was an enormous strain. One my bosses, supervisors, and other senior professionals watched with a slightly critical eye, but consoled me about because in their early days, their clinics had had business managers, receptionists, filing clerks, and accountants, and getting used to doing everything online yourself was a bit of a learning curve, wasn't it?

I counted my pennies very carefully, because I had to pay my supervisor roughly $180 for their services every 6 hours of in-person counselling I did. This meant that to break even I had to charge my clients an average of about $30 (plus room rental and service fees) an hour--and my clients, being people with complex trauma, were frequently poor, disabled, unemployed, and had no health benefits, so even $10 or $20 a session was a lot for them.

Maybe it would have been easier if I could have taken some of those nice comfortable organization positions where they find clients and funding for you and you work 40 hours a week and get benefits and a pension, but I had to be disabled into the bargain, so working 40 hours a week just isn't possible for me. I start passing out from stress and exhaustion. Older colleagues gave me serious-faced advice about approaching my employer and asking them for some flexibility and accommodation in my schedule, and I tried to explain across the gap between us that employers simply did not hire me if I made the slightest noise about the workload. They weren't going to invest in me as a person; they were hiring 40 units of work a week, and if I wouldn't do it there were a dozen applicants after me who would.

At one point I broke down enough to email my licensing body because the Annual General Meeting/Professional Development Conference was coming up, and I wanted to attend, but I could not produce $500 to do it with. Was there some kind of way I could attend anyway? I felt ashamed to have to ask, and then absolutely mortified when the response came from the organization president, who needed to personally sign off on me being too poor to attend the single most important event in my profession's calendar year.

I honestly felt so ashamed all the time at how I was apparently failing to be a successful therapist, failing to be rich and successful, and every time I mentioned it around mentors and bosses, I could feel myself shrinking from a person to a problem to be solved. My closest therapist-friends and I have reflected on how much more difficult, poorly-paid and underworked, our various career starts have been than we were ever warned about. About the classmates and coworkers who couldn't get disability exceptions when they fell behind in their registration requirements, or burned out and left the field, or dropped their registrations and took up as life coaches, or moved their whole family somewhere exceptionally remote or rural because it was the only good job available, or worked for some godforsaken app skirting the bounds of malpractice like BetterHelp.

I like those conversations, because I feel less like an absolute fuck-up in them. There's less "Hey Lis, you were so talented in grad school, I really admired you, what are you doing now?" "Oh, I, uh... am professionally disabled, so I get government benefits, and I... sell embroidery patterns on Etsy now."

My own therapist kept asking if and when I felt like going back to being a counsellor, and I finally told him: I don't, actually. I don't want to go back and do it like I was doing it before. It was a profession I loved to the depths of my soul, and it profoundly did not love me back. I can't even imagine what would have to change, in me or it, to make it have a space in it that could fit me.

All of which I was way too scared to admit to at the time, because the more I let people know I was struggling, the more they hinted that maybe I just wasn't in a place in my life where this was a job I could do, and I needed to take a little break and wait to come back until money and disability just weren't issues for me anymore.

Eventually my cups of doubt and exhaustion did overflow, and I quit. I'm here now, living a much different life. And at the very least, all my years of helping people in bad life situations set me up perfectly for my own. I already knew what form to fill out for financial assistance, which student clinics to access for mental health support, and which government agency would, if pressed, cough out pharmacy coverage for the genuinely destitute. It gave me that much.

I hope this is just me being in extraordinary circumstances, sitting at the intersections of a few different shitty life situations that most people skip right past. Because it's on one level comforting, but another deeply infuriating, if I'm not, and I've just missed it or we've just all been too afraid to admit it to each other.

[ohnoitstbskyen]

Hi Skyen, hope you're well! I'm seeking some advice and since you used to work doing mainly art commissions I figured asking you was worth a shot.

I'm a furry artist and I'm looking into doing commission work as a side gig while I finish animation college, and hopefully acquire enough experience/clients/notoriety to turn it into a full time job once I graduate.

Do you have any advice for someone literally just starting out with fresh accounts and zero following? Especially when it comes to reaching people and getting your first clients, and anything that one should take into account when working with NSFW specifically. Also advice for pricing your work is always useful 😅

No need to answer obvs but I'd appreciate your viewpoint if you want to share!

Got 2 asks on this exact subject so I'll write up what advice I can. One big caveat: I haven't worked as a commission artist for like half a decade at this point, and this job has a tendency to change fast, do not take anything I say as gospel. This is advice from a limited perspective, be critical of what I say and trust your peers and the people you are in community with before you trust me.

building audience

Step one is getting people to notice the artwork you create. Literally nothing else can happen until you have eyeballs on your work, and the most consistent and reliable way to make that happen is fanart. Ideally you'd want to produce fanart in a fandom you are personally engaged with and passionate about and familiar with, and which also has a sizeable community whose attention can help you build recognition and a base of followers.

This isn't always possible, and there's many a working artist who creates work for fandoms not out of deep personal connection, but because the fandom is large and relevant and a good way to capture the goodwill of algorithms and content feeds.

This approach has some downsides. For one, genuine fans can usually tell when someone's engagement with Their Thing is shallow, and for another it can be deeply creatively exhausting to chase the algorithm. I don't recommend this approach, but it is a valid means of building a business.

Another important consideration, especially when you are early in your career, is that volume tends to trump quality. Every artist will eventually learn that their shitty joke-doodle they sh*t out in ten minutes on a whim will get a billion reposts, and their complex personal work that took eight weeks to finish gets 2 likes from their closest mutuals and a comment from a bot saying "wow!"

In the age of the algorithm, what machines and for you pages value is a consistent, high-volume of output that generates user engagement. You will generally get further, faster, by producing a lot of work than you will producing great work. Again, this can be rough on your mental state, and a fast way to burn the fuck out, so please be careful and mind your health before all else.

The best way to build something that will last is to build your audience in communities and around fandoms and themes and ideas you genuinely care about and enjoy exploring and interacting with. Being your authentic self and creating work from your authentic interest is generally both healthier and long-term better for your career than trend-chasing. Treat trend-chasing and volume > quality output as tools in your toolbox, as creative and business decisions you can make to achieve a specific purpose, never ever EVER let them become the center of your praxis or your philosophy. Never ever EVER allow the Numbers™ to be your source of validation and accomplishment.

building business

Ok, so you've got eyes on your work. You've got some followers. How the hell do you get them to commission you?

Well, again, by demonstrating a capacity to create kinds of art for which there is demand. In the furry community, there's brisk trade in things like ref sheets and character design, for example. For most fandoms, ship art is a product which tends to be in demand. Being able to do really good expression sheets is a marketable skill. Being able to create compelling and clear emotes for streamers and creators is a marketable skill.

Showing the capacity to work in a wide range of styles is valuable. Showing the capacity to work in a wide range of genres is valuable. If you can do both comedy and romance your appeal expands. If you can do shonen-like action and angst as well, it expands again.

Equally, being incredibly good at a specific niche is valuable as well. Focusing hard on an under-served niche of work can give you a lot of opportunities to be the Go To person for that specific kind of thing.

Perhaps the hardest part of all of this is marketing yourself. Not only showing that you have the skills, but actively informing your audience that you are available, eager and willing to practise your skill for a fee. You have to sell yourself. It sucks, but you have to do it. You have to advertise what you can do, and you have to suffer the rejection and annoyance that comes along with doing that.

You have to ask people to commission you. You have to raise your hand and demand attention. It's not fun, but it's business.

Walking the line between self-promotion and being a person is hard. I can't help you that much with it, it's a very personal balance to find. Stay in touch with your soul, but kill the part that cringes at yourself.

Ultimately, you best marketing asset is your portfolio. Every time you do work, show it off. Repost it, retweet it, spread it around. If someone is happy with what you've made for them, do your best to make sure that other people see that happiness. Ask your clients (politely) to tag you when they share your work.

Oh, and for the love of god, sign everything you create, slap watermarks on anything that's likely to get reposted, and make it impossible for someone not to find your business email on your profile.

building network

If you're a commission artist, you are in community with other commission artists. You share interests, you share experiences, you share needs.

Practise solidarity. Absolutely seek out professional peers to help your business, but equally seek out opportunities to help them with theirs. If someone comes to you for art and you don't have commission slots open, point them at a colleague who you know can do the work too. Gas up your peers and spread their work.

Be a symbiote, not a parasite. Respect the craft of your peers, and don't chase celebrities and big names in the hope of coasting on their coattails. It will fail.

smut

If you're a working artist, at some point you have to reckon with smut and r34.

These genres are excellent sources of income, and fertile ground to build a business and network of customers. BUT. Do not ever make the mistake of thinking that they are "the easy way" or a shortcut. Do not ever make the mistake of thinking you can simply offer to draw tiddies and rake in the cash.

It's work and graft same as literally any other form of labor, it's challenging on both a technical and creative level, and the audience can sense if you're looking down on them. If you approach this from a position of shame, of "eugh, I'm debasing myself by doing this for rent money," it will not work, and you will lose standing and respect in the eyes of every peer whose support you need to succeed.

Just as in all other forms of creativity, if you treat the audience as morons who will slurp up whatever slop you serve them, then you will attract clientele that agrees with you, and you will deserve the misery they will inflict upon you.

If you are going to work in smut, establish your boundaries and enforce them. Know that good clients will feel safer and more comfortable with an artist who clearly states their red lines and earnest interests than they will with someone who tries to attract more clients by pretending to be open to work that they are actually uncomfortable with.

Never, ever, EVER let a client push you to create work you are not comfortable creating. It scars your soul in both the short and long term.

Also, when working with this kind of content, know the rules of payment processors and know how to hide the nature of your business from them. PayPal should never, EVER know the details of the content you sell with their service. Frankly, neither should your bank, most likely.

Look to your peers for advice and best practises about this. And be meticulous about your bookkeeping.

money

I want to tell you to charge at least minimum wage for your time. I want to tell you to charge substantially more than that, because your labor is specialized and highly skilled.

But the economic reality of commission work is that there is a crushing downwards pressure on the labor price of art, which has only been made more devastating by the rise of generative AI, and especially when you are a young artist just starting out, you're going to find yourself in a position where charging even minimum wage for your time will turn away a huge proportion of your potential customers.

Again, your portfolio will be the greatest argument for the value of your work, but you have to build that portfolio first, and very often that means doing a f*kton of work for not remotely enough pay until the pressure of demand finally works in your favor.

I don't condone or justify this state of affairs. It is horrid and I hate it, but I don't know how to fix it either.

Making a living from content creation of any kind requires you to get lucky, on top of working obscene hours and foregoing rest and vacations. It's not a safe or sensible plan for a career or paying your bills.

My sensible advice is to get a "normal" job you can survive doing, and do your creative work on the side, and resign yourself to the possibility that the creative work may never actually pay your bills.

And that is soul-crushing, but I cannot stomach pretending that hard work and gumption will guarantee anyone a decent living if they just try hard enough.

There are people who are better at every aspect of my work than I am, and they struggle harder and work for longer, and they will never see half the success I have, because I happened to get lucky, and they happened not to. It's wretched.

I'm not telling you not to chase your dreams. I'm telling you to do it with your eyes open, and with compassion for yourself first before all else.

All of this to say: I can't tell you what to charge for your work. It depends on everything from your competition to your niche to your genre to your community to your economic situation. You have to figure it out on your own.

All I can tell you is never forget that your work is worth more than the market will let you charge, and to raise your prices as soon and as much as you can. Try to reach at least minimum wage for your time as fast as possible.

in conclusion

Again, I haven't been a commission artist full time for a long time, please do not take any of this as gospel. Listen to your peers before you listen to me.

But trust me about the solidarity. It will save you when all else fails.

[flower-boi16]

Helluva Boss Handles Abuse Horribbly

In Helluva Boss abusers are either one-dimensional or aren't even treated as abusers to begin with. Take Stella for example; Stella was made abusive towards Stolas as a way for the series to justify and remove accountability from Stolas in favor of making him look more sympathetic. Stella and Stolas' dynamic had the potiential to be fairly interesting but it was watered down into a clear-cut abuse story and nothing else.

Then in Seeing Stars, Loona starts assulting Blitz and starts acting aggressive towards him over him telling her to be a bit nicer to clients. She then, regularly, beats Blitz even when he is running towards her in tears and apologizes for threatening to replace her...and all of that is treated as a joke. Blitz didn't even though anything to deserve this, Loona was just acting like a massive dick to her father over the smallest of shit and she doesn't get called out for it. Helluva Boss is very, very inconistant when it comes to how to treats abuse depending on the character.

Then we get the worst offender Exes and Oohs, where the series decides to slap daddy issues onto Moxxie despite it adding nothing to him as a character so it could create artificial drama. Crimson is also a very shallow and one-dimensional character who serves a role that is completely pointless anyway, and the series doesn't even explore Moxxie's truama, removing it changes nothing about him as a character and it's just something that's tacked onto him that you can easily remove.

But that's not even the most offensive part of this; Moxxie decides to finally stand up to his father, the moment the episode was building towards. He tells his father to fuck off, he gets a full 3D turn and...he immediantly gets tazed and put in the damsel in the distress role. Moxxie stood up to his abuser...and the narrative decides to completely undercut that moment by having him get tazed for a bad joke. The series punished a child-abuse victim for standing up to his abuser.

And this is the show that people claim to care about male abuse victims. This moment becomes even more insulting once you remember that Stolas gets a scene where he stands up to Stella and HE gets to keep his moment, but Moxxie? Nah, he gets tazed.

Actual. Writting. Sewage. Oh, but we haven't even reached the worst part, the obvious elephant in the room, Stolitz. I've made millions of posts ranting about Stolitz just go read those for more detail but my problems with Stolitz should be obvious at this point. It's a relationship where one partner is clearly more abusive than the other yet the show (and the fandom) tries to claim that both parties are "equally in the wrong" even when they aren't, unironically both-siding a relationship that is based on coercive r@pe which the writers refuse to acknoweledge IS r@pe.

Helluva Boss doesn't read like it's interested in telling actual stories about abuse, rather it uses abuse as a way to artificially create drama, remove accountability from characters, or just refuses to unpack it at all.

[artdotpage]

Problems facing modern artists & creators

I've talked with hundreds of artists and creators about the difficulties they face trying to earn a living from their craft.

This post covers two of the big ones (social media algorithms & bargain basement marketplaces), and what tools are available to grow your business despite these issues.

Social Media Algorithms and Audience Ownership

Social media platforms are a godsend for getting your work in front of potential clients and building a loyal fan base.

However as you will all have experienced, it can take a mastermind to figure out what kind of content the algorithm wants you to post, and if you don't do that you'd be as well throwing your content into the void as even your own followers might not see your post, never mind new viewers.

It also means you don't truly own your audience, if you post something slightly controversial your account could be deleted without warning, or perhaps a billionaire buys the site and everyone flocks to a new platform where you have to start growing your following all over again.

Solution: Build a mailing list

This is perhaps the single best marketing tool available to any business, and is sorely overlooked by artists and creators.

It's cost effective and because you own your mailing list it doesn't matter what's happening on social sites, you can always keep in touch with them.

The tricky part is converting people into mailing list subscribers. However I've seen plenty of creators successfully build one by offering incentives including free digital downloads, early access to content, discounts on your store etc.

Those who sign up to your mailing list would be considered high quality followers, someone who is much more likely to convert to a paid client and buy from you again in the future compared to the average follower on social media.

Tools

https://art.page/

https://substack.com/

https://convertkit.com/

Losing clients to undercutting competitors on the same platform/marketplace

If you run your business on a marketplace or platform, your clients are one click away from finding plenty of other choices who are willing to undercut everyone else to land a sale.

These sites have no incentive to make sure that traffic you drive to your profile actually purchase from you. Whether a sale is made through your listing or another seller, they collect their fee either way.

They also use uniform designs which reduce you to a generic product listing. Whilst this can simplify the customer experience, it means you have no control over the sales funnel and ability to differentiate yourself, making it harder to convert potential clients into paying customers.

Solution: Direct clients to your own site

Use your own personal website to make sales from, there are plenty of options with no monthly charge and lower fees than marketplaces. This lets you make dedicated marketing pages showcasing your best work to make a client excited about doing business with you, instead of just being a generic product listing.

Take advantage of marketplaces purely for their customer base. Don't rely on them as your sole business platform. This way, any fees you pay are worthwhile to generate sales you wouldn't have had otherwise. 

Tools

https://art.page/

https://www.bigcartel.com/

https://squareup.com/

Interested in more?

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[audreyclimbs]

foreseen in shadows- prologue

chapter summary: Matt Murdock meets a strange woman... and punches her in the face.

word count: 2.5k

to access the entire story: foreseen in shadows masterlist + masterlist

The rain pelting against Matt's face had grown nearly unbearable.  The raindrops themselves weren't so bad, though the way they soaked into his black mask had grown to be something of a nuisance.  Rather, it was the whipping, harsh October air against his skin that made the weather so intolerable.  He seriously needed to get something nicer than this poor excuse for a suit. 

This evening had been fairly monotonous.  A few burglaries, a mugging.  There were a few drunk college idiots who tried to corner a woman on her way from work- a restaurant from what Matt could smell on her- who ended up on the receiving end of Matt's growing aggravation with the weather.  As he remembered the encounter, he briefly wondered if he had needed to beat them that hard.  Remains to be seen.  The deafening sound of the woman's trembling had been the only thing that pulled him out of his adrenaline-induced stupor.

Oh right, I'm supposed to be helping them, not terrifying them even more.  Matt had thought to himself, hands clenching and unclenching in fists.

"How far away is your home?" He huffed out, shoulders slowly dropping as the pounding of his heart subsided.

She had stuttered a few times before choking out, "Just a couple of blocks.  Thank you for... that."

Matt nodded silently before stepping back ever so slightly.  Without another word, the woman practically raced in the direction of what he assumed was her apartment.  He listened to the pounding of her heart as she made her way home.  Listened to her checking on her one— no, two— kids as they slept peacefully in their beds.  Then she slipped into bed herself.  He heard her greet a man, her husband based on the ring that he had heard her twirling anxiously on her finger when she stood in front of him just a little while ago.  Once assured that she had returned safely, Matt continued on his way.

To orient himself to his current position, Matt ascended to the rooftop of an apartment building.  He let himself open up to the bustling, raucous noises of Hell's Kitchen's nightlife.  For a little while, it was oddly peaceful.  A voice in the back of his mind laughed at the irony of Matt feeling uneasy about a brief moment of peace.  He wondered what time it was.  As if on cue, the chiming of a grandfather clock sounded in one of the apartments below him.  

2:45 A.M.

Exhaustion whispered into his bones, but he tried to brush it off.  Part of him contemplated sneaking back into his apartment for some coffee, but he knew deep down that once he stepped through the threshold of his rooftop door, he wouldn't bring himself to come back out.  Hell's Kitchen needed its masked protector more than Matt Murdock needed sleep, after all.  Only a couple more hours, then he would go to sleep for a bit before joining Foggy in their daytime hunt for clients.  God, he hoped they would catch a break soon.  He wasn't sure how much more his bank account could take.

In the distance, he tuned into the rapid beating of a woman's heart.  She seemed young, maybe a bit younger than Matt.  She was sprinting through the alleys below him, winding left and right through the web of dark lanes.  Finally, she rounded the corner of an alley that was one building to his left and barreled out into the sidewalk of the busy street.  Her shoes slipped on the rain-slick sidewalk as she tried to counteract her momentum.

"Hoooly fuck, oh my God," Her voice came out breathless.  She just... ran into someone?

"Watch where you're going, you little bitch," a gruff male voice snapped back at her, shoving her hands off when she tried to help him up.

Her cheeks, already flushed from her running, burned even hotter at his words.  "I- I am sorry, sir, believe me," her voice had a distinct lilt to it.  Matt realized with an internal eye-roll that she was not a Hell's Kitchen native.  Probably some tourist who got lost on her way back to... wherever she came from.  But why was she running so fast?  Her heart was beating faster than would justify a simple run.  He could practically smell the anxiety rolling off of her.

The older man stalked off without another word, muttering some unsavory words under his breath as he went.

Matt found himself walking closer to where the young woman was now standing.  He could hear her breathing start to level out, her feet shuffling.  Why was she so damn nervous?  

"Where the hell..." she trailed off and back-stepped into the shadows of the alley she had practically fallen out of mere moments ago.  A few beats of silence, and then he heard a humorless chuckle slip past her lips.  "Didn't see that one coming," she muttered.  Her head whipped around, presumably trying to take in her surroundings, and he heard raindrops whip themselves off of the bridge of her nose and the point of her chin.

Matt's brow furrowed in confusion.  What was that supposed to mean?  She definitely wasn't blind, though her grotesquely delayed reaction time to the street ahead of her would suggest it.  Call it momentary boredom or curiosity, but the young woman's new movements spark his interest once more.  Where was she going?

And why do I even care?  Matt thought to himself.  He considered abandoning her entirely and turning in early for the night.  Just a couple more hours, he reminded himself.

The woman began jogging through the alleys, keeping to corridors that were a small way away from the central streets.  She eventually scaled up the side of an apartment building using a rusty fire escape that creaked and groaned beneath her weight.  He heard her cringe at the unsafe method of ascent, but she carried on before finally reaching the rooftop.  The curiosity that had been simmering since the moment he picked up on her heartbeat finally boiled over, and Matt crossed the rooftops between them to reach her.

Her head whipped around to face the sound of his boots crunching across gravel.  Her heartbeat, which had slowed minutely since she left the older man, skyrocketed once more.  The sweat that had begun to cool on her brow perspired anew. 

She's nervous.  Matt noted internally.  A moment later,  No shit, you're a masked man dressed in all black, stalking silently up behind her at almost 3 o'clock in the morning.  

"Are you okay?" Matt asked across the rooftop.  You sound like a stalker, Murdock.  They were on opposite corners of the building, but he could tell it didn't feel far enough to her.  

"What are you doing, sneaking up on me at 3 o'clock in the morning?"  Touché, Matt thought.  Her voice was loud and snappy.  To anyone else, she would have sounded entirely fearless.  But Matt could make out the slight tremors of her hands. 

"Come closer, you're all shadows and it's freaking me the fuck out that I can't see you."  Her heart skipped a beat as she said it.  A lie for which Matt could not conjure a logical explanation.  Any other sane person would want this random stranger as far away as possible.

Nonetheless, Matt obliged and began slowly closing the distance between them.  As he approached, Matt tuned in his senses to her appearance.  Athletic build, strong legs, tense shoulders.  Her clothes, which Matt could tell fit snugly over her limbs, clung even tighter with sweat and rain.  The woman trailed slightly closer, pausing between steps once Matt reached about halfway.  Then, her heart skyrocketed once again.  She stood, frozen for some unknown reason.  Her boots crunched back and forth on the gravel as she seemed to snap out of a stupor.  Then, she broke into a sprint to her right.

It happened so quickly that Matt scolded himself for getting distracted with what she "looked like."  She catapulted herself to the next rooftop and landed in a roll, then kept pushing forward.  The woman's legs were pumping so fast that Matt wondered for a moment if she had some form of enhanced abilities.  The pace of her feet mixed with her skittering pulse into a cacophony of thundering adrenaline.  A part of Matt was tempted to shout at her to stop running if only to ease the burning of his lungs.

Matt Murdock was by no means out of shape.  So how was this lady, who was arguably around his age, so fucking fast? 

Do I need to do more cardio?  Is kickboxing and chasing criminals every night not enough?

Finally, Matt's opportunity to gain the upper hand appeared in the darkness.  A loose stone on the next rooftop.  Small enough for her to not see it shrouded in the darkness of Hell's Kitchen's moonless night.  Matt prayed that she didn't see it.

The resounding smack of her body colliding with the gravel as her foot caught on the rock's jagged edge was his answer.  Matt finally reached the rooftop, but by the time he'd gotten there, she was up again.  In a flash, Matt launched himself at the young woman with a well-aimed fist.  He hit his mark on her jaw and almost felt bad for the speed with which she hit the ground mere moments after picking herself up from it.  The shriek that slipped past her lips echoed through the city's noise, and Matt prayed once more that none of the residents of this building stirred at the noise.  

The young woman scrambled to her feet and arranged her body into a fighting stance at a commendable pace.  Especially considering the throbbing pain Matt could hear in her jaw.  That would definitely be a bruise in a few hours if the thrumming of her blood pooling in the area was any indication.  Should he apologize?  His fight-or-flight instincts stopped roaring in his ears for a moment and allowed the lawyer to realize he had just struck this woman technically unprompted.  Shit.  So much for a peaceful approach.

"What the fuck was that for?"  She barked at him, fists hovering in front of her chest.

"Why did you run?" was Matt's only answer.

"I-" her fists wavered for just a moment.  He heard her heart uptick ever so slightly, and he cocked his head to the side for a split second as she stalled.

Impatience and a sliver of fear seized Matt once more, and he lunged for her.  They hit the floor, Matt's arms coming to press her own by her head.  At this proximity, he could smell the sweat that had dried on her before the rain started.  How long has she been out tonight?  How long has she been running?  What has she been doing?  Was she with Fisk?  Question after question raced through Matt's head, but he didn't know why his instincts told him to not let her go.  

"Would you stop fucking attacking me?  Maybe that's why I ran, you asshole."  The distinctive twist of her words made Matt realize that she was Southern.  Based on the heat rising in her neck and cheeks paired with the feeling of her eyes on him, Matt could guess that she was currently leveling him with a lethal glare.  She thrashed under him, but he held fast onto his position over her.

For the record, Matt thought to himself, I didn't attack you until after you ran.

"Answer the question," Matt snapped back, perhaps a touch harsher than was necessary, but he had no idea who this woman was or why his gut was telling him that she was important.

She sputtered for a moment before replying, "What question?"

"Why did you run?" Matt repeated, voice cold.

He felt her go still for a moment and sensed the intensity of her gaze on him.  Then, her heart picked up once more.  He really should have seen it coming, but before he could begin to react, the woman beneath him had launched her left leg up and over him, using the momentum of his weight to roll on top of him, arms slipping out from beneath his grasp to shove away at his chest so hard that the air escaped his lungs.  Matt's back hit the gravel and he drew in a harsh gasp before reaching up to deflect a blow from her.  The woman practically catapulted herself off of his body and backed up several paces.  Matt sprang up in kind and tuned in to every signal her body could give him for what her next move would be.  Her heartbeat was fast but steady.  The rain still pouring onto both of them dripped down her arms and face, and he could tell she was shivering.  Whether it was more from adrenaline or the temperature, he couldn't be sure.  As he continued to listen, Matt felt his head tilt to the side slightly, arms remaining tense at his sides.  

There it was again.  Matt felt her eyes practically burning a hole in his head with a laser focus that surpassed a normal observation of one's opponent.  If he weren't trying to figure out if this woman wanted to murder him, he'd be worried that there was something stuck in his teeth.  She stared and stared, and Matt could sense every part of her body focusing on whatever she saw in him.  A small hitch of her breath reached his ears. 

Then, she advanced in a flurry of blows that Matt could hardly sense before they made contact.  She seemed to be using whatever reserve of energy she had left.  He began to deflect and attempt to drive back, but she met every strike a split second before it could hit its mark.  She was undeniably on defense now, but she was doing it flawlessly.  Frustration grew in Matt's chest when he continued to miss with what should have been sound blows and jabs.  As he back-stepped repeatedly, he realized that she was closing in on him quickly despite never lashing out with a punch of her own.  Then, in a strike so quick he didn't even sense its approach, she slammed her open palm over Matt's ear so hard that it knocked him to the side. 

Suddenly, the world was screaming and shrieking.  Matt drew in a gasp, hand shooting up to his ear as his knees hit the ground.  

"I'm sorry," she whispered so softly that Matt almost didn't hear it over the roaring and ringing in his ear.  Then, her knee made contact with his other ear, and Matt fell forward onto his forearms, jaw working back and forth futilely to relieve the sharp ringing that was overwhelming every one of his senses.

For a terrifying moment, Matt Murdock was in a dark world with no sound but shrill ringing, and he could feel nothing but the gravel digging into his arms and knees and the rain pelting against his back like shards of glass.  Is this what eternal damnation is like?  It could have been minutes or hours, he wasn't sure, but eventually, the ringing in his ears subsided, and he oriented himself to where he lay on this damned rooftop.  He hesitated to move just yet, but Matt listened around and realized that the woman was gone.

In the distance, a grandfather clock chimed four times.

[mjonthetrack]

Roman tilted his head back against his desk chair, a low moan escaping his lips. The easy blonde was bobbing her head against his semi hardon, when Al came through his office doors he didn’t flinch forcing the woman’s head on it as the older man simply announced,” the fuller account is in place chief.” The woman trying to act innocent pulled away acting shocked to be caught on her knees her annoying voice filled the air,” oh my goodness Al I had no idea you were in today!”

Roman already soft hearing the woman’s voice aggravating his nerves like a cheese grater against them,”get out.” The woman gaped looking at the man who’d already adjusted himself redoing his belt,”but handsome, I don’t have to go back for another hour I thought we could have lunch together,” Rachel’s valley girl voice rung out. Al cleared his throat,”you’ve got semen on your chin, please see yourself out Tyler,” he used her middle name knowing the woman hated it. The lady gasped,”Ro Ro are you gonna let the help talk to me like that?!” Roman pinched the bridge of his nose,”don’t get escorted out, you’re not needed anymore.”

When the blonde left cussing them on her way out whining, Al sighed outwardly,”why do you entertain that tramp sir?” Roman sent an even stare at the older male,”what’s the real reason you’re here?” The pair sat in the Anoaʻi building which was a multibillion dollar banking firm which was shadow ran by Joseph Anoaʻi or Roman, but had a board of members who acted like the faces of the company. In reality none of the real world of Gotham knew the face behind the company nor the underworld made connections to the bat.

The pair walked out of the hidden ceo office on the top floor, then were out in the private elevator down to the underground space. Then to the man’s vehicle and sped through the underground tunnels until it came to a road above ground. They’d driven in silence until they arrived outside of the city to the man’s compound within a cliff overlooking Gotham. When they crossed into the man’s lair Al was already pulling up the different cameras all over the city, he hummed in acknowledgment, as different traffic feeds and local news were on the many flat screens across one wall. Al typed away scrolling,”seems as though Gotham’s been busy chief.”

Roman who’d taken off his suite jacket tossing it over a chair then loosening his tie putting it to the side, poured himself a glass of whiskey.”When isn’t it busy? have you spotted any other leads with the man child?” Al lifted a brow at the mention,” I thought you were over that strange?” Roman chuckled sipping his glass,” him trafficking drugs isn’t news Al, we both know he’s got cops on his roll and plenty of buyers, I could give a fuck what the ants of this city do with their lives.” Al shook his head,”I almost thought you had a heart sir?” Roman grinned rubbing his beard at the sarcasm,”Nobody with a heart survives this place.”

—————————

Celiné stepped through the alleyway, past the cage barrier and down the steps until the neon lights shone against the graffitied walls. The Ice box was one of the many underground spots owned by the penguin but when the man got locked up it became a spot where all the lost and dark souls of Gotham hung about. It subsequently fell under the Scarecrow who was on an ego trip with no competition since the penguin was behind bars doing a fifty year bid at Arkham.

The bright strobe lights mixed with the red mood lights and the thumping of base made an intoxicating mixture with the spiked alcohols Scarecrow had for the many different clients. Not only was it a club front now for Scarecrow’s dealings but also a strip joint where Rachel crawled from being as Celiné called her rated E for everyone she was willing to lay down with. The other strippers were good women with rough stories, a few Celiné would help out with rent when a good hit came in. Her motives were bigger than some slut and drug bar, she had her eyes on whatever sparkled, whatever had the bigger dollar sign.

For the right price the woman was the black cat of Gotham, a vixen in latex, and a hell of a good thief. Celiné could swipe a ring from a handshake, or dismantle some of the cities most secure safes. Lately though she was working a gig for Marco, the Scarecrow who she called scary because to her he was just a whiny child begging for attention. Her job was to swipe some items from the hospitals chemist lab. It wasn’t easy but after flirting with a molecular chemist and agreeing to dinner she’d swiped his key card from his lanyard and left with what was asked for.

Scarecrow stood at the very top of the viewing balcony on the opposite side to the entrance. He watched the woman come into the ice box, he grinned devilishly,”ah here come bitch kitty.” His goons laughed encouraging his antics as his bigger than life wardrobe was never enough. The woman went through security then was able to go up the stairs as she was unarmed, “do you have what I need?” Celiné deadpanned him holding up a small satchel when he reached for it she moved her arm back, holding out her manicured hand,” payment first, scary.” The man’s grin faultered,”Miss kitty do you doubt me? I’m hurt,” he grasped his chest but then snapped his fingers as a brief case was given to her. Once she searched it counting the bands she nodded her head, handing over the satchel.

The woman turned on her heels on her way back to the top of the stairs, feeling a large hand on her hip she elongated the steel nails of her gloves, her hand hovering over his golden pants.”Woah easy kitty,”Marco chuckled heavily his warm breath above her ear,”I’m still offering a position as one of my little concubines if you’re not busy, I’m sure I have time to let you try out for the roll.” Celiné turned slowly a fake smile on her face as she leaned in,”call me a bitch again and I’ll castrate you,” she glided the tip of one of her sharp nails under his chin making him wince though the smile never left his face,”always so grumpy, be a good kitty and go find me some product.”

Celiné flipped him off over her shoulder stepping down a few steps calling over her shoulder,”it’ll cost you, extra for pissing me off Marco.” Hearing the man’s laugh she walked down the glass stairs her eyes always scanning the area she was in. Celiné caught the glimpse of someone who was trying to blend in a little too well. The woman couldn’t help but laugh to herself taking her time in the crowded and very smoky club. She wandered over to one of the bars setting cash out, waving the bartender down who knew her order by now.

“That’ll be on me,” a deep voice came from beside her, the woman raised a brow in amusement though her hands slipped money back into her purse. When her glass came she took a tentative sip looking ahead at the many shelves on the wall. “That’s a big purse you have Celiné,” the deep voice drew her attention,”I don’t see how that’s your business bats?” The man swiped his tongue over his bottom lip staring at her side profile trying to read her.

“For as long as you have attempted this cat and mouse chase you never will be able to read me, I thought you knew better than trying to profile me,” Celiné said looking to the tv on the side of the bar. Roman snorted at the smart mouth that often greeted him when he crossed paths with her,”I don’t need to read you to know you’ve been giving Scarecrow some attention lately.” Celiné grimaced at the thought, she finished the drink leaving the glass behind, sliding off the tall stool she stepped away from the bar. Blending in to the huge crowd she tucked the case beneath her arm and was out the club in the middle of the alley.

His voice appeared again from behind her, a master at spawning into a place in silence like her,”I don’t want you to work for him anymore.” Celiné stood still,”oh bats I’m flattered, truly, but jealousy isn’t attractive on you.” The tall man gripped her wrist smirking when she let her claws out,”it wasn’t an ask, I have a job for you.” Celiné hummed lowly but she turned her head slightly, giving him her attention,”I can’t be seen with you I have a reputation to maintain bats you know that.” Roman tilted her chin to face him,”I have a job for you.” Celiné trailed a manicured nail over his bottom lip,” I don’t do favors bats.” He smirked down at her,”two mil.” The woman disappeared when a noise came from the clubs entrance,”tomorrow noon, you know where to find me,” her voice came from above, the man catching the last seconds of her hips swaying off,across the roof tops.

[unisonglobususa]

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[the-ancient-forlorn]

Common myths in system/plural spaces...

These are some common myths to look out for that can mess with your recovery (if you have DID or OSDD). I will also be going into why these things are wrong and dangerous as I believe it is vital to go against commonplace narratives.

One

EMDR is the best form of care for trauma in DID/OSDD patients.

Though it is important to mention there are, in fact, forms of EMDR done specifically to be safe for dissociative patients, this will not be the default. It is vital to be careful when vetting possible clinicians and ask if they specifically know how to use the dissociation-informed method. EMDR can be dangerous when it comes to dissociation, as it can exacerbate symptoms of dissociation. EMDR in its base form is something that is not to be practiced with anyone who has any form of dissociation, let alone a complex dissociative disorder, such as OSDD-1 and DID.

According to Doctor Jamie Marich

Are there any cautionary measures you would like to mention regarding the use of EMDR therapy with clients who have a dissociative disorder? Definitely—for EMDR therapy to be successfully used with dissociative disorders, modifications will need to be made based on the unique needs of the dissociative system presenting for care. This is another one of those questions where I cannot give you an easy answer because if you’ve met one dissociative system, you’ve met only one dissociative system. If you are stuck, get consultation. Consultation is even more valuable than training when first learning to work with EMDR and dissociative disorders because a skilled consultant can walk you through the intricacies of a specific person/system’s case.

If you plan to make a legal case against your abuser(s) and you live in America, do not get EMDR until the legal case has concluded with a guilty or innocent verdict for your abuser(s). Your testimony will not be legally eligible in court after you undergo this therapy.

It is an amazing therapy and helps people heal a lot. I plan to undergo it with specialized professionals after my own case finishes. EMDR is not evil or bad. It is just something that uses specific methods to alleviate distress that can play into dissociation further if a clinician is not properly trained.

Two

You're not responsible for your alters.

Obviously this one isn't true. No matter what you share the same body. Therefore you're responsible for all your systems actions at all times. The physical body you have is the being that is responsible and going to be held responsible. That is the key to system accountability. (Cough *certain someone in my life* Cough)

Three

You need to have an inner world to be a system.

Nope not at all. Inner worlds as it pertains to DID and OSDD are not usually naturally there. This is often something you construct in therapy as a form of meditation. It is a way to envision and further connect to parts of your brain, selves, or however you view plurality philosophically. It is an active exercise of the mind. It took me a while to build one up myself, and it was certainly worth it in the end. You are not wrong for not having one or struggling to make one. Some people just can't manage to do it. Those with aphantasia, especially, may struggle.

It is possible to make one without putting in an active effort, usually as a coping mechanism, just in your day-to-day life. But innerworlds are not a required symptom nor fully unique to DID and OSDD.

Four

Your alters must have roles!

Roles are just labels to describe common traits found within alters/headmates. There's no need for them and whether or not you have an alter that fits every archetype doesn't change anything. It's simply a way for people to understand themselves and their alters.

Five

It's dangerous to use roles.

Just as wrong as the last one. It's not dangerous to use labels. It can be counterproductive for some individuals but it is not a thing that causes harm.

Six

You must never differentiate yourself and your alters to be healthy.

Once again, not true in the slightest. In my case my therapist actively required that I try and differentiate my alters further. That I understand who "I" am as an alter. If "I" know who "I" am and how "I" function then it is easier to figure out what kinds of trauma I hold if any and what issues can be focused on with me and better worked through. The differentiation between "me" and say Lexus, another alter, is vast. But we are still Dusk, which is me. Hopefully that's understandable.

Seven

You must go for unification!/You must go for integration!

Unification (aka Final Fusion) and integration (aka lowering barriers between alters, resulting in either Functional Multiplicity or Unification) are both valid end goals. Unification goes further than general integration, as integration alone does not indicate that all alters have fused together. It just indicates the lack of dissociative and amnesic barriers. Differing senses of self, gender, personality, behavior, likes, dislikes, and similar are still present in alters who are integrated to only what is seen as Functional Multiplicity. Unification does not have alters at all and has gone from a mass to a single person, so to speak. Do not let people fear-monger you out of Unification; it is very fulfilling for those who want it. And do not let people fear-monger you out of integration; it is very fulfilling for people who want it too.

Eight

X or Y term is ONLY for a specific diagnosis.

Sorry but none of the community terms are from something like a closed practice they're all from English. Don't get angry if an Endo calls themselves a system. They're a system of self perceived identities. That's still a system. System is a very general term. I have a system for butchering meat at work. It's not stealing the term. We will survive. You will survive. Same goes for any other term. If you don't like it just block it and move on.

Subsystems and side systems are similar just explained differently nobody owns those terms it doesn't matter what kind of trauma you have.

Nine

You must have been severely abused to develop DID/OSDD.

Yes in some cases severe abuse causes these disorders but less severe abuse can cause it too.

It can be caused by a variety of things: incest, CSA, physical abuse, child endangerment, witnessing violence, war, massive natural disasters, adverse childhood experiences, fighting parents

As long as bad things that can stress a child out happens enough and they have the genetics for a predisposition to dissociation they will have a chance of developing it.

Ten

X or Y can't happen in the inner world!

Once again the inner world is essentially something you meditate on or in more plain terms imagine to an extent. Anything can happen in an inner world it's literally your own head. SA happens in some parts of our inner world, some alters are seen as literal angels and have supernatural powers in our inner world. Of course murder would be possible in your own mind. People say they've killed a version of themselves all the time and when you manifest every aspect of yourself in a vivid imagination as a therapeutic tool- you can imagine some fucked up stuff. Especially for traumatized systems. It may not be literally real but it is very much a manifestation of your mind and what occurs in your inner world can be a great insight for your therapist in understanding how you function and what you've internalized.

Eleven

Dormancy is always bad.

Not at all. Dormancy can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes bad things can trigger it but other times it's just natural. After getting away from the abuse I endured in the second cult I was in many alters have gone dormant or semi-dormant. They aren't needed anymore and simply aren't willing or possibly able to hang around in the back of our mind. They'll be dug up when the time comes and we go back to processing our childhood trauma after we fully process what happened in the cult we were in during college. Dormancy is a neutral thing. It's like going to sleep for a long period of time, being put on hold perhaps.

Twelve

Fusion is scary and bad.

Fusion can be beautiful. We have many wonderful experiences, some bittersweet, and some horrific. It all depends on how and why it's done. We were more scared of this before we made as much progress, now we've undergone massive amounts of fusion as we've finally moved to having stability in our life. These fusions have been natural, ones that simply happen because alters have chosen to, and therapy has already lowered barriers between alters in the same subsystem. In our case, our eventual goal is to fuse down every subsystem to one alter unless an alter disagrees with it. Our side systems don't necessarily need to fuse their subsystems.

Those that have fused naturally have been happy. And though the old ones may in a sense no longer exist the new can be seen as their children. A continuation of their being. You aren't losing, you're gaining a new part of yourself more than anything. Though I suppose some fusions have been more absorptions than a merging of alters in some cases for us even those have been peaceful.

Thirteen

You should force fusions.

Absolutely not. Forcing these things will only lead to more distress. It needs to happen in a healthy way with alters who are ready for it or it will be distressing. Forcing fusions of any kind let alone unification is harmful and damaging. Let things happen as you heal. That's the best way to go about it.

Fourteen

Looking into your trauma and unpacking what happened to you will possibly kill you if you were trafficked or in a cult.

This is obviously an unreasonable thing to say from anyone. Though conditioning is real and one's personality may be impacted and morphed by an abuser, especially when they are a child who grows up in a severely abusive environment, it does not work in the way people claim. It is preferable that you have a therapist to dig into trauma and start writing down things as you remember them, but it will not kill you if you don't. A therapist will help you with coping. A therapist cannot make your pain fully go away, but from my experience, they're an incredibly helpful resource.

[onyxbird]

The Bridgeport Cat Café

New Leverage AU, based on this video of someone from a cat café account introducing their cats and describing what types of crime they (allegedly) engage in:

Hardison bought them a cat café instead of a brewpub.

Parker thinks it's a great idea. As soon as Hardison shared the idea with her, she started planning out the incredibly elaborate system of climbing structures, catwalks, tunnels, and hidey-holes at both cat and human scale. Hardison wasn't able to implement all of her ideas, especially not before the rest of the team arrived, but he managed a lot, including purchasing the rest of the building the original café occupied and expanding into that space.

The renovated café quickly becomes known for the fact that it is both the physically largest cat café any of the patrons have encountered and that sections of it essentially double as an indoor play structure for both kids and adults.

Hardison, as someone with allergies himself and knowing Leverage would want to bring clients here, poured a lot of thought into the cat-free and "allergy-friendly" side of the café, where patrons can enjoy all of the café's food and beverage offerings, watch the cats, and even climb a limited portion of their signature human-sized "cat tree" while remaining separated from the cats by enormous windows. The two areas are served by separate ventilation and both have thorough air filtration. The cat-free side quickly becomes popular with the remote-work crowd who like to bring their laptops and watch the cats without any actually climbing on them and their work materials. (There are also customer-free portions of the building the cats can retreat to and optionally view the customers through glass.)

Eliot and Sophie, of course, say the idea is absolutely insane. Sophie's mostly ticked off about the unilateral move to Portland and them taking on the extra burden of a (weird, niche) business (although she makes little secret of being charmed by many of the cats themselves), but Eliot is particularly incensed about the difficulties of trying to run a café that's full of animals. "Running a good café isn't child's play, you know. You planning make food on site with cat fur everywhere? You think the Health Department's gonna stand for that? Sure, you can probably get away with some kind of automatic coffee machine and prepackaged food, but that ain't a café, that's an animal shelter with a damn vending machine."

His complaints trail off as Hardison steers him into the (newly renovated) kitchen, through the airlock-style double doors from a hallway not open to the cats, each with an automatic air curtain to keep cat fur as well as cats from slipping through. The other side of the kitchen has pass-throughs and doors directly to the cat-free side of the café. The gleaming new espresso machines are already in place, along with other basic kitchen equipment, although Hardison comments that he's still researching the best ovens and layout for baking all of their pastries on-site (the printouts and notes on his research are already bundled up and ready to be "spilled" on top of the materials for their next job, in front of Eliot).

The kitchen also features several plexiglass tunnels so that cats can watch the action in the kitchen without contaminating the space. Eliot will never admit, even under torture, to making squinty eyes and kissy noises at the cats that come to hang out with him while he cooks with no other humans around to see, especially when prepping pastry in the wee hours of the morning before anyone but the cats is awake.

Finally, Nate regrets having turned Hardison loose with free rein to pick the Portland HQ. When he suggested a restaurant or something as a front, he assumed he knew the limits of what that could entail--in hindsight, he's glad they didn't end up operating out of a Medieval Times* knock-off. He's performatively grouchy about the cats, yet never seems to chase away the ones that mysteriously end up on his lap during job planning. There's one particular "shoulder cat" that seems to love nothing more than riding around on Nate's shoulders during a briefing, occasionally punctuating particularly passionate sections with supportive meows.

Another quirk the café becomes semi-known for is the prominent lost-and-found counter where patrons can try to reclaim items that have vanished from their pockets, as the cats at this establishment seem to be oddly prone to pickpocketing...

*Consciously or not, Nate is on some level aware of how much Hardison and Parker would enjoy watching Eliot "joust."

[crimeronan]

kitkat's dirt-cheap writing and editing services!

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[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

Is SusSEX an island inhabited by misfits?

Ashley Hansen doesn't need to start a (PR firm) Communications Agency w/meGain. What Ashley needs is intensive THERAPY (& so does Mandana).

They obviously believe the entire world (outside of lala land) is just plain STUPID!

Surely I'm not the only person who vividly remembers when Ashley (Momtaheni) Hansen QUIT brand susSEX?

Now the sussy-est team on the planet would have us to believe that Ashley is not only the current head of archeFRAUD communications, but she's transitioning into a new role as the head of her own company where susSEX is her 1st client and an INVESTOR.

I have zero sympathy for what's coming, zero. Watching James Holt rub shoulders with American VIPs as if he's a celebrity is stomach turning. archeFRAUD must be the best grift in town! Ashley is just as bad as Holt and The Meghans! What's worse is that she's promoting her company meGain's company & brand as HONEST media. 🥴🤦‍♀️

Ashley told US media how she likes a boss who telephones her spouse EVERY day to "check-in" while she's out for a medical leave of absence.

Ashley is also such an immature and emotionally fragile person that she required 2 girl bosses (sparry & wife) to make her FEEL seen & cared for---- as if she's just one (1) of the (invisible) susSEX children 🤢

A group of liars & bullies who dare to fraudulently market TRUTH & KINDNESS. You couldn't make any of this up.

So basically meGain has launched her own PR/Communications Company with Ashley at the helm.

"Meghan Markle’s Friend Is Launching a New Business, and the Sussexes Are the First Clients"

Ashley Hansen, the couple’s current head of communications, is starting her own firm, Three Gate Strategies, and continuing her work with Harry and Meghan.

By Erin Vanderhoof October 3, 2024

For the last four years, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been growing a US-based staff to help them establish a legacy in charity and business under their own names. Ashley Hansen, the couple’s current head of communications, has worked with the couple for over two years, helping to steer the ship through major moments like the release of the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and Harry’s blockbuster memoir, Spare. Now Hansen is branching out by starting her own communications firm called Three Gate Strategies, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be her first clients.

“We are so proud of Ashley, especially as a female entrepreneur,” the duchess told Vanity Fair in a statement on behalf of the couple. “We look forward to having her focused expertise on our business and creative projects and her continued oversight of our communications team. My husband and I are excited to be alongside Ashley as she builds something extraordinarily special with her firm.”

Though Hansen will be taking on more accounts as her company grows, she plans to continue her work with Meghan and Harry and their communications team across their Archewell Foundation, business endeavors, and media projects. Hansen will work with other high-profile clients in entertainment, tech, and finance, and will remain based in Los Angeles.

Three Gate draws its name from a proverb often attributed to Rumi, which posits that a person should let their words pass through “three gates” before speaking: “Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”

Hansen said that Meghan helped her brainstorm a name for the company, and remembering their shared affection for the saying, the selection felt like a “lightbulb moment.” 🤦‍♀️🥴

Ashley & the megaLiar developed this "logo" 🤢

The Rumi reference is also an homage to Hansen’s Persian heritage, as the poet lived in 13th century Greater Iran. In 2022, Hansen was present when Meghan gave a speech bringing attention to Iran’s Women, Life, Freedom movement, wearing a shirt with its name in Farsi.

Since relocating to the US in 2020, Meghan has been investing in women-owned businesses and she considers Hansen’s new venture part of her growing portfolio, which also includes accessories brand Cesta Collective, beverage brand Clevr, and more. Since April, the duchess has also been teasing the launch of her own lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, with sneak peaks at its future wares, including gift baskets with jars of strawberry jam. In addition to her work on Archewell’s charitable endeavors, Hansen will also work with the duchess on the business and her other creative projects.

Hansen told Vanity Fair her new venture will build on the work she has already done to support the couple.

Who in their right mind would seek to duplicate the work and counsel provided to brand susSEX???

“It came about after I was approached by other clients seeking the high-quality counsel I have provided to the Sussexes,” she said. “The Duke and Duchess’s ongoing support and trust in me to execute their vision is testament to the meaningful working relationship we have built.

Hansen began working with Meghan and Harry in May 2022, following a career in communications that included roles at UTA, Annapurna Pictures, and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group.

Only a fool would admit this: "During her time with the Archewell team, she oversaw communications during a particularly historic and tumultuous time for the couple, including the 2022 death of Queen Elizabeth II and the 2023 coronation of King Charles III."

[fantasylandbitch]

Summary: For the next four days you started preparing for the Sunday meeting you had coming up so you prepared by making a PowerPoint, Designs, and Color palettes based on some of the information your client had sent you through your email but what you didn't account for on Sunday was an urgent phone call from Sam.

Warnings: Cussing, Blood, Longing, Long Chapter,

Chapter 1  Chapter 2  Chapter 2.5  Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 4.5  Chapter 5 Chapter 5.5 Chapter 6 Chapter 6.5 Chapter 7 Chapter 7.5 Chapter 8 Chapter 8.5 Chapter 9 (Chapter 9.5 Coming Soon)

When Sunday arrived, you got up early and did your morning routine, you went to the bathroom before shortly getting dressed for your meeting at a little restaurant called Rancho Tequileria that's located on the Upper West Side of NYC. Upon getting out of your bedroom you pack away your laptop, a flash drive, and earbuds in your suitcase just in case there was a change in your plans and while doing so, you requested for an Uber to come to pick you up. When you were willing, you headed for the front door, locking it in the process before leaving the apartment building while you waited for your Uber. You take the opportunity to change your phone setting from silent to vibrate before looking at your notifications list.

"I guess this is what happens when you go MIA Y/n," you say to yourself before briefly looking around when you notice Sam had left a video message so you swipe the screen, and before you can press the play button your Uber arrives with a honk making you jump.

"Are you Y/n?" the driver asks, looking at his phone when you switch applications to see his information before replying to him.

"Yes I am" and he nods, waving his arm, letting you know you can get in, so you open the back passenger door to get in before you tell the driver where to go. While on the drive, you look at your phone again, and this time you open your suitcase to get your earbuds to connect to your phone, and once connected you place one earbud to your ear so you can listen to the video.

The first thing you see is Sam's face in the camera causing you to smile softly at your phone.

"Tara, am I doing this right?" she asked her little sister. 

Then Tara's face comes into view with a 'Are you serious?' look making you laugh before Tara turns to her sister "You have to press this button, Sam" she shows her older sister, as the camera started recording from the front camera now.

Then you hear a soft "Oh, thanks" from Sam, and for some reason that little line makes you smile even more as you look out the window to distract yourself from feeling overjoyed.

Then the video draws you back in as you hear a man mumbling a voice that was unfamiliar to you and it felt like Sam heard you because she shows you who it is.

"Detective Bailey," you say his name "You look like you'd be a Die Hard fan," you say to yourself as the camera moves away from Bailey to a big room and your jaw drops at the sight.

There are display cases littered all across the room in an organized fashion and Sam scans each one that interests her with her phone. "They’ve got the whole goddamn franchise" you hear Mindy say causing Sam to look over at her before Sam moves her phone camera to Kirby’s figure and you watch as your sister-in-law’s hand touches a blue flannel shirt which makes you remember the time that she felt safe enough to tell you about her ex-best friend.

Suddenly you start to realize why your sister-in-law asked you if you were free four days ago, and why you weren’t with Sam and Tara after you guys had been attacked at their apartment. Kirby asked you if you were free not because she wanted you to hang out with her but because she was afraid of losing a little sister to the darkness, having her past repeat itself, and she doesn’t want to lose another best friend to Ghost Face. This realization caused you to tear up because you didn’t think you would be so important in someone’s life like this, if at all, before you got distracted by Sam’s elevated breathing causing your eyes to be glued to your phone again.

You watch as Sam walks up to what you assume was the middle display case on a stage before the camera is lowered and you read at the bottom of the case “Billy Loomis.” 

The last name Loomis makes your ears perk up as you remember hearing that name coming out of your second eldest brother Tomas's mouth like Billy Loomis had done something to him personally before you watched Sam tuck away her phone. But she didn't tuck her phone in a way that you couldn't see what she was doing. In fact, you think she forgot she still had her phone recording "Why does that display case have your attention Sam?" you questioned.

Then you see Sam look at the glass with a look that resembles maybe curiosity, wariness, or a hint of something dark, you weren't sure. Then you hear Sam say "Fuck, no" as if there were another person near her as your eyes scan what little area you can see for the assailant before you watch Sam look directly at the display case but this time it was a look of temptation as you watch her put her hand the display case.

"What are you doing?" 

You hear Tara ask and suddenly you can breathe again not realizing you were holding your breath as Sam's phone fell to the floor making you jump.

“I got it," Tara says as you watch her pick up Sam’s phone before she continues her thoughts “I’ll send the video to Y/n for you” before ending the video.

After the video was done you look away from your phone to process what happened as you look around the Uber car that you were in before putting your earbuds away in your suitcase and your phone in your pocket as you arrive at your destination. As you get out of the car you go to the app and give your driver five stars because he earned it with all of the traffic and having sick Lofi music in the background while driving before waving at him as he left the curb when you turned around to go into the restaurant.

Now because you were early to arrive you decided to head in to get a seat for you and your client. "Hello, how can I help you today?" a Hostess asked you and you smiled.

"Hi I was wondering if I can get a table for two?" you asked and the Hostess nodded with a smile before looking over her shoulder where a waitress was able to help you find your table.

"Follow me miss," the waitress says as you follow her "My name is Bella and I'll be your waitress this morning,"  Bella says to you when you stopped near a table for two that is by the window. Before Bella leaves she says "Have a great breakfast with your partner" and you smiled awkwardly nodding and mouthing a thank you to her as you waited for your client who didn’t take long to arrive at the meeting as you were setting up your laptop.

“Oh my god, I apologize for taking so long, getting here was hell with all that traffic” 

You hear a woman say to you as you look up from your laptop to reply “Not a problem, I actually think your earl-” You started before you were cut off by the women’s beauty as your eyes examined her outfit. You notice she was wearing a rose silk blouse that revealed her cleavage and black suit pants that hugged her hips as you get a whiff of her powdery musk perfume and suddenly you think you’ve underdressed. “You must be Melanie Rodriguez correct? I got your email stating that you wanted to set up a business website but are having a hard time figuring out what design and layout you’re looking for.”

Melanie nods as she sits down smiling at how slightly nervous you look. “That is correct, I am currently running a small business called Slay the Day and I am looking to expand it in the future by making a website to gain further revenue and clients.” She says as you briefly look at her and nod with a hum as she examines what you were wearing, she licks her lips at your black turtleneck and black bra underneath them as her eyes wandered down your legs seeing your green tailored jogger pants before bringing her eyes to your face “You know Luna didn’t tell me that the person helping her build her business would be so inviting.”

At first, you smile at the mention of Luna’s name because you consider Luna and her wife Erika as your aunties, even though they aren’t related to you but they have mentioned time and time again how they’ve unofficially officially adopted you into their family from the moment you had worked for them while you were in Blackmore. “Yeah, Luna is a great woman, cook, and wife. The same goes for her wife Erika she knows how to really bake and she also makes a mean cup of joe at their little shop in Lower Manhattan. They’re actually hoping to expand their shop in a few months which I’m excited about” you say with a bright smile as you look up from your laptop to show Melanie what designs you had made for her before asking her more questions about her business, not picking up what she was trying to suggest. And for the few hours of your meeting drinking coffee and eating breakfast at the restaurant you never noticed once that Melani was checking you out and constantly licking her lips as she eyed you nor registered her words as being flirty. But the whole time she believes you weren’t just being nice to her but instead just giving her a really good chase that kept her at the edge of her seat.

While your friends in lower central park could not say the same as Sam and Tara walked around the park together constantly looking around and examining anyone and everyone who could be Ghost Face while your sister-in-law sat in a truck with the rest of your friends and talked to Bailey every now and again for updates. Then Sam gets a call to her phone making her pull her phone from her pocket to see who it when Richie’s face appeared, so she answers the phone while her little sister got closer to her to listen in “You're gonna die, you know” Sam quipped when Ghost Face laughed over the phone.

“No, your gonna die Samantha, choking on your own blood while I hack up your sister and that bitch of yours!” Ghost Face yells through the phone causing Sam to lock eyes with her sister while Kirby grinds her teeth while also trying to find Ghost Face’s location. 

“Unless we find you first asshole,” Sam says gripping her phone tightly, finding it rather tempting to make Ghost Face eat his words and cough up his own blood for making threats towards her little sister and you.

“You know for a mastermind you're not very bright. Just. Waiting for me. To call.” Ghost Face says making the last of his sentence stretch to keep Sam focused on his voice as he laughed again. “Desperately hoping I’m nearby so the police can grab me? Samantha how pathetic” Ghost Face continues. “But guess what. I’m not nearby Samantha, in fact, I’m one step ahead” making Sam stop in her tracks as she wonders who he could be targeting next “Be seeing you very soon, Samantha” Ghost Face ends the call.

“Kirby, did you get that?” Sam says with concern as she waits for an answer.

“Yep. I’m getting this fuckers location right now” Kirby says moving her fingers quickly across the keyboard “H-He’s on the Upper West Side. In an apartment building, halfway across the city.”

“On West 96?” Tara questioned making a guess.

“How did you know that?” Kirby says with surprise while she looked at the map before searching for your location before her hands stopped.

“That’s because Gale lives there,” Sam says as she starts running with her sister down a path and not too far behind them Detective Bailey, “I have a friend, Danny who works on the Upper West Side,” she says pulling out her phone “He might be able to get there before we do.”

But Detective Bailey disagrees “Yeah, or he could be there to finish killing Gale off,” he says making Sam and Tara look at each other as they keep running “Sam take a minute we don’t know if he's actually there! We need to do this the right way!” he yells.

And Sam stops to yell at Bailey “WE DON’T HAVE A MINUTE!” stopping him in his tracks because she’s not interested in losing another person in her life not when she sees Gale as another potential mother figure when Tara calls her over.

“Sam! Get in!” she says with a smirk as Sam runs to the police car before rolling up the window disregarding anything Bailey has to say to her and her sister.

“Should we use the sirens?” Sam asks as a smile danced on her lips making her sister smile nodding when Kirby chimes into the headset.

“Sam as much as I would hate to request this, how about you call Y/n she should be nearby the apartment” Kirby talks through the mic while Tara turned on the sirens, Sam’s smile falls as she looks at her sister before looking down.

“I’ll give her a call and I also gave Mindy Y/n’s keys” Sam informs Kirby as Kirby retrieves your keys from Mindy as they round up Chad and Ethan into your car, Tara looks over at her sister before driving out of there. Then Sam pulls her phone to call you as Tara looks over before correcting her driving as she almost hits another car “Keep your eyes on the road, Tara” Sam says to her little sister a little annoyed and ansty as she goes to her contacts to find your information, not hesitating to call you “Pick up Y/n. Please pick up your phone...come on baby answer me” she says desperately to herself.

Not realizing what time it was until you looked outside, you felt that it was pretty late. You looked at your phone as it read 6:10 pm and you were thinking ‘How did this meeting go on for this long?’ perhaps it was because you were getting a free meal out of it plus a drink or maybe you were enjoying the company, you weren't sure. In fact, you slowly started picking up certain flirtatious words and suggestions that Melanie was giving you which would make any woman swoon but not you, internally you were freaking out, it felt like you were cheating. Because this woman wasn’t your Sam you thought as you looked at the scarring on your left hand remembering Sam’s touch and it was like the universe had heard you because your phone vibrates in your pocket and you go to answer it “Sam?”

“Oh thank god! Y/n I need your help!” Sam talks urgently over the phone and you notice this and try to calm her down so you can understand what she has to say to you.

“Sam honey calm down, tell me what you need me to do?” you say to Sam not realizing that you said ‘honey’ in your sentence as your heart begins to race to hearing her talk while the woman across from you pays for the check.

“I need you to go to Gale’s apartment on West 96. She lives in a high-rise apartment…” Sam says her voice dying off while stressing out and you nod to every word she says as you pack up your things.

“I’m on it,” you say to her before getting off the phone and thanking your client “Thanks for dinner Melanie. I’ll get working on your website as soon as possible” and she nods, smiling at you while watching you leave the restaurant as you left with your suitcase running up Amsterdam Ave to get to Gale’s apartment. Upon arriving there you ask the desk agent to hold onto your suitcase as you run up the stairs to get to her apartment room while your legs screamed at you to stop but you didn’t let your body win this time as you finally got to Gale’s floor turning the corner. When you got closer to Gale’s room, you notice that the door is slightly open making you stop in your tracks as you hear a ringing noise in your ears as you tried to slow your breathing down before proceeding to enter her apartment, upon entering you walk passed a door with bullet holes in it while you see the carnage that Ghost Face left behind in front of you before your ears picked up on someone struggling beyond the hallway.

“Fuck You!” you hear Gale’s voice when you notice Ghost Face on top of her making you look around the room frantically when you notice a gun on the floor, picking it up before making your presence known.

“Hey, Asshole!'' You screamed pointing the gun at Ghost Face and as he ran away from Gale’s body, you shot at him, some of your shots missing as you walked around the couch to get to Gale before taking three more shots emptying the gun as all three bullets successfully hit Ghost Face’s back as you kneeled down. Before you attend to Gale, you point the empty gun down the exit that Ghost Face took making sure he doesn’t come back to surprise you, before you hear footsteps running down the hallway you took moments ago, pointing the empty gun there momentarily, placing it down when your eyes land on Sam and Tara as you sigh with relief as they ran over to you and Gale.

“Gale? Gale!” Sam screams coming over to kneel next to Gale, tears already forming at the corner of her eyes while you put aside your differences with Tara to focus on Sam.

“Sam, I need you to listen to me okay?” you say to her as she looks up from Gale to lock eyes with your own “Remember when we watched Keep Breathing together?” Sam gave you a questioning look before she understood what you were asking before getting up to get supplies while Tara looked at you like you were fucking nuts. “Tara, I need you to get me some rags from the kitchen and bathroom” and she nods knowing what she has to do, running over to the kitchen for rags before going to the bathroom to get some more before Tara and Sam regrouped with you.

“What are you trying to do Y/n?” Tara questions you as you take a thin cloth from Sam wrapping the cloth 5 inches above Gale’s thigh wound.

“I’m making a tourniquet, '' you say, making Sam cry and laugh at you before handing you a piece of the shelf not far from you three.

“Why would you remember that?” Sam says, looking at you as you stayed focused on Gale’s leg before turning the wood cylinder and stuffing it in the cloth again to keep it from getting loose as Gale got Sam’s attention.

“Sam,” Gales says as Sam holds her hand “Tell Sidney..” she continues as her breath becomes shallow.

“Tara hand me the rags,” you ask her as she hands the rags to you so you can apply pressure to Gale’s side “Stay with us Gale,” you say as your eyes start to tear up because you can feel something changing in the room as Tara looks at you.

“Tell Sidn-...Tell Sidney that he didn’t get me..” she says as you three saw how Gale’s eyes started to flutter close “Tell her, he never got me” she says last before losing consciousness making Sam sob over her body when you looked up to see a pair of paramedics come into the room, only getting up so they can take over. But Sam wasn’t leaving Gale’s side, because she couldn’t leave her knowing that she had hurt another person who was close to her, making her sob even more as her little sister tried to pull her away but she wouldn’t budge so you quickly walked around the paramedics to help.

“Sam...Sam,” you say her name a few times before you pull her up with Tara’s help “We need to let them do their job,” you say softly as you hold her hand to comfort her.

“We got a weak pulse,” a paramedic says before they turned to their partner “Get the backboard” they ended as the paramedic’s partner got up to get it.

The confirmation causes Sam to nod her head in understanding that Gale will be okay as she turns to you, searching for your eyes before squeezing your hand as she can feel your hand shaking in hers. You respond to Sam squeezing your hand with a squeeze back as you take a deep breath before you turned to look at her with soft eyes, Sam stares at you with her big brown orbs as they started to get glassy again making you pull her into you as she holds you tightly crying into your shoulder. After an hour, you guys went down to the lobby to regroup with your friends but when you entered Mindy, Chad, and Ethan’s view they were surprised to see you but you noticed how Ethan looked mad at you as you followed Tara’s figure to the lobby’s couch before Sam sat next to a plant. Then you remembered that you left your suitcase with the desk agent and your sudden movement to get it made Sam look for you, and when you retrieved your suitcase you decided you would sit on one of the couches behind Sam closer to the elevator when Sam grabbed your wrist before getting up to follow you into the next room.

“I’m glad you came when you did,” Sam tells you in a soft tone as she examines your features after you had placed your suitcase down and took hold of her hand again but this time you're rubbing them.

“You called Sam, how could I say no,” you say looking up at her eyes and smiling before looking down at her hand.

Sam then begins to mirror you but the only difference is that she takes notice of what you're wearing like the black turtle neck that is pressed against your body from sweating, the outline of your bra, and the green tailored jogger pants that look relaxing to wear but hug your waist just right. The sight causes Sam to stare at you for a few minutes until she breathes through her nose catching a strange perfume on you “Y/n were you with anyone when I called you?” Sam asked, worried that someone took your heart before she did. 

Her question caused you to look up at her “Uh yeah I was with a woman named Melanie earlier she owns a store around here called Slay the Day...I was meeting with her at a restaurant nearby, why?”

“Because you don’t normally smell this bad,” she says poking fun at you without insulting you and you smile before playfully punching her stomach. The impact of your fist made you short-circuit because you didn’t think she was built like that, you end up touching the skin that was exposed. 

“Wow…what is your workout routine?” you asked Sam with genuine curiosity while you touched her midsection poking it and pressing it with your fingers at her muscles.

But Sam couldn’t answer you, she was too consumed by the feeling of your fingers touching what little skin is exposed between her shirt and pants relishing in this feeling as she finds it makes her want to kiss you even more while she slowly inches closer to you until you took your hand away when Sam lifted her head to see Danny walking through the entrance doors. 

“Hey. Hey,” he says running into the building when he spots you and Sam walk into the main part of the lobby together. “I got here as fast as I could,” Danny says next before looking at your hands “Why do you have blood on your hands?” he questions as everyone looks at your hands.

“Y/n was helping Me and Tara keep Gale alive until the paramedics arrive..that's why she has blood on her hands,” Sam says putting herself in front of you considering that Danny tried to attack you a few days ago and he knows that too as he gave a nod.

“I want a truce” he continued putting his hands up before standing side by side with Sam and you as you three looked at your friends.  

"Where do we even go from here?" Chad says with concern as you can see the tiredness in his eyes as you do with Mindy and Tara.

“Isn't there a safe place we can hole up in?” Ethan says with both a tired and wired look in his eyes.

Then Danny gives a suggestion "You guys can hole up in my apartment if you want, the more people there, the less likely for the Ghost Fucker to appear" making everyone nod slowly.

"How do we know that you aren't the Ghost Face from earlier?" Tara asks while looking at Danny with a dark and tired stare. The look only causes Danny to straighten up to defend himself because he has evidence to back his claim.

"Because I was at work this whole time plus Sam's known me for almost a year now, emotionally and physically. I would also never hurt your sister" he says smiling a little before continuing "That's longer than she's known Y/n." Danny ends, making you reach for your neck to message out of discomfort, not because Sam knew Danny emotionally and physically but because Sam only regarded him as a friend whenever she would talk vaguely about him to you and not her boyfriend. Now due to the new information about Sam, you decided that you would sit down near Tara unintentionally hurting Sam's feelings at the loss of closeness before she looks over at Danny with a clenched jaw.

This gave Tara and Mindy food for thought as they were both thinking 'Then why did Sam call Y/n and not you cute boy?' before looking at each other and then at you, as you look at the blood on your hands. 

Then Sam nods, weighing her options before looking at you, and before she could say anything you speak up "I think if it's okay with Sam and Tara I say you guys should hole up at Danny's place and figure out a plan" You say before looking at Sam and Tara as the Carpenter sisters look at each other nodding.

That was before Sam repeated what you had said back to herself in her head ‘I say you guys should hole up at Danny’s place’ Once again before she could say anything Tara beat her to the punch as she replayed the same message back in her own noggin. “Why the hell would you not come with us to this guy's apartment, Y/n?” she says, examining your features, only to recognize your sudden hesitation.

“Well for one Tara uh…there wouldn’t be enough room in my car if that is how you guys got here to begin with. Plus I wouldn’t want to..you know wouldn’t want him to feel claustrophobic in his own home” You say pulling all the stops. Tara wasn’t by all means stupid, in fact, she could tell by your eyes alone that you weren’t comfortable with the idea of being in Danny’s apartment if he was involved with Sam and this wasn’t the first time that you would relay to her that you were uncomfortable. Before all of this happened and before Tara decided to go to parties to drown herself in booze she would have to beg and schedule days for you so you can meet her friends  Mindy, Anika, Chad, and her sister Sam or at the very least hang out in her apartment for college assignments and relax afterward. But now, now it's different you were standoffish and cautious when you first met Tara growing out of it with time but now she sees that you're trying your hand at self-preservation all because Sam had hurt your feelings and Tara doesn’t know if she should throw hands with her sister or punch cute boy Danny in the dick.   

“Fine,” Tara says in defeat making Sam, Mindy, and Chad look at her with a ‘Are you fucking serious?’ look, nodding at you slowly to give you more time as she herself wants to take that time to figure out how to say sorry for being a horrible friend. 

Before Mindy attempts to give you back your keys “Here’s your keys kid” and you shake your head with a smile.

“You guys can keep it for a few more days” you say making Sam look at you with concern before you moved your head to look at her “Just incase you guys need to haul ass from the apartment and besides I had ordered an Uber to pick me up” you say before getting up to hug your friends except Danny but when it came to Sam you both held the others gaze. “Alright Sam your the last person to get that type of hug, how do you feel about that?” you say with a tired smile before Sam brings you into a bear hug as you do the same back.

Sam tells you “Text me when you get home please” in a low voice only for you to hear as you nod against her shoulder at her request as you both hesitate to let each other go and when you both do pull away from each other, you examine Sam’s face.

“I will and if you need someone to talk to, you know how to get in touch with me,” you say as you bring your hand up to stroke Sam’s cheek as she nodded, a gesture your friends know you wouldn’t do unless you really cared about them before you remove yourself from Sam to retrieve your suitcase from the other room, heading for the exit afterward.

All the while Sam watches your figure walk away from the group with a look of longing as you disappeared beyond the doorway before she turned her body to her sister and friends not noticing that Tara and Mindy who were both watching your interaction were finding it rather sickening that Sam is pining so hard for you.

But that didn't change the fact that Tara and Mindy who were now looking at each other weren't scheming to get you both together in the same room or at least closer in some way.

Chapter 1  Chapter 2  Chapter 2.5  Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 4.5  Chapter 5 Chapter 5.5 Chapter 6 Chapter 6.5 Chapter 7 Chapter 7.5 Chapter 8 Chapter 8.5 Chapter 9 (Chapter 9.5 Coming Soon)

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