This Is Me Trying (To Build Something Real)
When Loyalty Costs Too Much
Be careful who you give your loyalty to. I recently watched my former boss, someone I once admired, perjure himself on the stand—desperately throwing blame at the very people who had once stood by him, trying to clean up the wreckage he caused. It was a front-row seat to an impressive display of deflection, cowardice and the kind of “leadership” that ruins lives.
This is the kind of lesson that everyone must eventually learn: Not everyone deserves your loyalty.
We believed in the vision. We worked long hours. We showed up with heart and hustle. But none of that mattered. We watched as dishonesty and questionable bookkeeping unraveled everything we built. Careers were derailed. Reputations were damaged. A team was shattered. We trusted the wrong boss, the wrong company, the wrong promises. And we’re paying the price.
The thing is, there is no room in the business world for narcissism, dishonesty and manipulation. Not when you’re building something real. Not when you’re a team.
The Gut Check I Ignored
If something feels off—listen to your gut. I wish I had. The warning signs were there. But I ignored them, blinded by my love for my job, loyalty and hope. I really thought I would retire there.
Months of back pay we’ll never see. Promised bonuses and fabricated job offers that turned out to be nothing more than bait. Tax liabilities that we assured were covered—they weren’t. Legal fees continue to drain our savings. COBRA costs mount as we fight to keep our families insured. Court documents and meetings continue to plague us with negative energy. Then there’s the toll that can’t be measured: months of stress, sleepless nights, financial destruction and the impact this has had on all our families.
Choose your leaders and your teammates wisely. Your loyalty is a gift—don’t hand it to people who take it for granted and see it as leverage.
Out of the Ashes, We Built This
But here’s the thing: you can turn something awful into something beautiful.
When the dust settled, we weren't interested in vengeance because karma is undefeated. I wanted to build something honest. Real. Purposeful. Soulful. That’s how Vigilante PR was born—an agency founded on courage, transparency and a little bit of rage alchemy. We used heartbreak, betrayal and burnout to built a company we truly believe in. One where integrity isn’t negotiable, where honesty comes first and where you never have to question who’s got your back.
Out of destruction came clarity. Out of chaos came community. Out of something ugly, we created something beautiful. And we're ready to share that passion with our clients. Visit us at www.vigilante-pr.com.
🎵 Blog Soundtrack: “Karma” by Taylor Swift
