To refuse business to a close friend due to her financial issues

[pavlovapippa]

So as a few of you may know from around this forum, I run a successful business specialising in events and parties and my friend recently contacted me about wanting a Frozen themed birthday party for her daughter at the end of the month but she asked if there was any way I could cut costs as she is struggling financially. I said yes, that I can perform as Princess Anna (I have a background in dance and theatre) so that she wouldn't have to pay for another one of my employees' wage. All good.

However today she has messaged me asking if I can do the party for her daughter, but receive payment AFTER the party has happened as she is unable to pay me before. Now this is completely against my company policy and will set me back a bit. What should I do? My gut instinct is to refuse to do this and say "you can pay me or walk out the door". This is my business and livelihood after all and we all have to make a living.

AIBU?

The problem is that if the OP is hoping to draw attention to her fabulouspartythemed business, then it really should be the right sort of attention, shouldn't it?

I mean, isn't all this supposed to make us want one your fabulousthemedparties?

I'm not saying I don't enjoy your threads barely disguised ads. It's probably not the easy, free way to drum up new business that you might think it is though...

leelu

rrrosssa

it was Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes!

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002RI9PKY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

YANBU. Don't do it, it's not worth the hassle and heartbreak of trying to chase her up for it afterwards. Mates rates are one thing if offered but she shouldn't have asked you for them.

Most things like this (photography, makeup etc) require a 50% payment before the event or they won't show up.

Pavlova do you know the child concerned? I am assuming the party is for this friend's child not for herself. If you know the child how do you feel about doing a party for her, not for the mum for the child? If I did children's parties and a close friend's child was having a birthday I would probably do it without charging but I guess I value the children I know more than business.

Business and friendship can be tricky. I once did a job for a friend and she didn't pay me in the end. In fact we broke off the friendship. Friends need to understand its your job, your livelihood. Good luck, I know it's a tricky conversation.

An alternative could be that you just go as a solo entertainer and do it for free? She shouldn't object to that, it would be very unreasonable of her to expect that you get a double whammy of costs - the costs of paying your staff and missed opportunities.

Poppa I would do a midweek visit to the child and do her a little song. Book another party for the weekend or visit Norfolk.

I don't think the OP has hit the dizzy heights of her first thread but "premier party experience" is quite amusing.

Were you on Dragon's Den OP?