You are certainly not the first or the last person who’s ever been fooled by a smooth talker. I’ve been there myself which is one of the reasons why I put these works online. Other people can learn from our past mistakes.

I helped to run a restaurant in New York City for an owner who convinced people of some pretty amazing things. But at the end of the day he treated everyone like a tool to get what he needed. Even in that situation I made sure I got paid something. But after a certain amount of time I walked as well with many promises never fulfilled. Big lesson learned.

In situations like this both sides have to accept some culpability. Sam seems like a fool for not being straight with people who are supposed to help him build a strong business. Anyone with a contract hopes that the person keeps their word. But we’ve also got to look at track record. It sounds like Sam has none as a person running a business.

I give you credit for walking now. It looks like a few others are hanging in for the long haul. I don’t believe they will be rewarded for the extra effort.

Rob

In other words I can go directly after his assets instead of having to try and pierce a corporate veil and then get stopped up against an insolvent concern. Nope. Sam has assets and failing receipt of full payment for the work I’ve done - and more importantly failure to pay Marc Orchant and his family for the work that Marc has done - will result in legal action against Sam.

I never thought that Sam was a rockstar, but I did think that he’d be smart enough to know that I wouldn’t just roll over if he failed to honor his contract. So, yes, perhaps I am foolish. I do want to believe that people keep their word and that a promise is every bit as good as a contract. Sadly in this case I’ve been mistaken and I don’t feel especially good about that.

Sam is a pretty convincing liar one on one. Look just how many people he’s duped and how many are still allowing themselves to be lead by the nose… It’s only when Sam deals with groups or the public that his facade falls apart since he seems to have trouble remembering what he said to whom.

Mark Twain had something to say about that. “the honest man has no need of memory, while the liar is a slave to his.” Maybe Sam should start taking Ginkgo?

Oliver Starr