A client, who chose to take half measures with a previous project and still managed to build a $3mil a year company despite massive inefficiencies, is attempting to make me feel like they understand their mistake in our previous dealing, know I get soup nazi about things with clients, and felt that giving me early project sway would encourage me to take a strong guiding role. You are very correct about the potential to receive no financial compensation, but I do a few "faith" projects a year...theyre lotto tickets. As for the pressure on direction...thats where this whole percentage thing came into play. Only having to get one of the three of them to see the merit of my intent....if I cant do that consistently...well thats the joy of consulting, I dont work FOR people, I work WITH them. Its the first line of every one of my agreements. I leave with all of my ancillary licensing rights in tact one I pass my first quarter. Ive been burned one to many times by companies that bring me in with long term promises and are really just after the running start.

My biggest hesitation with this isnt the terms...or even the client history. Im just not sure I want to take on the work, my kids are about to graduate, Ive been a single father since I was 24, and at 40......Im just not sure I need the adjustment to my income:freedom ratio.
It all comes down the the reveal....
if whats behind the curtain is shiny enough....I might drop a few side projects to make sure I have enough time for shiny.
Or maybe not.

I really posted just because I thought it was a strange arrangement and thought Id get more "oh man I had a guy try to....." stories where everyone else seems to be giving really well meaning advice and commentary.

I mean at the end of the day if they are making a revolutionary new applicator for aglets that will cut the price per aglet in half....and they have prelim contracts with 1 of the top 5 manufacturers........Yeah Im taking quarter percents on contingencies if I think I can squeeze the work in between things. WIthout the meat of the matter everyone heres just chewing on the scent of a cooking steak.

So come on guys lets hear about your own "weird meals" as it were.