The most expensive thing I ever bought was a Handshake Deal.

We’ve all been there. You trust the person. You've worked together for years. You agree on the terms over a coffee or a lunch. We'll sort the paperwork later, you say.

Then the goalposts move. The black and white Agreement is suddenly open to interpretation. And you realize you've been working on a foundation of sand.

I’m currently dealing with the fallout of exactly this. It’s a bitter pill, and it won't be swallowed, but it’s a vital reminder of why I built Future Heroes the way I did.

I don't do "vague." I don't do "we'll see." I work in structured phases. I use Blueprints. I require commitment upfront.

Some people call it rigid. I call it Protection. I protect my time, I protect my value, but more importantly, I protect my clients and suppliers from the chaos of the handshake.

Have you ever been burned by a handshake? What did it teach you about your business boundaries?