108. “Skin in the Game” Usually Means “Free”

Every year we have several people come into our office with an “idea” that they want us to build. Usually these ideas revolve around being something like “the next Facebook” or “the next Club Penguin.” Of course, these people usually have no money and want us to build it in trade for “skin in the game” (that is, a percent ownership in the new business or product). So far, in my own graphic design business, I have yet to agree to build anyone’s idea in trade for skin in the game. I also have yet to see any one of these ideas that were pitched to us actually get built (meaning that these same idea people were unsuccessful in getting anyone else to build for them). I’m not saying that you should never ...

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