At the risk of sounding a little arrogant, I had to set things straight with one of my vendors this week. I told him, “I didn’t wake up for 5%.” Let me explain why.
I work with vendors and manufacturers of technology solutions, helping them make their products visible in the marketplace, particularly with government buyers. I’ve been running my technology consulting firm for the past 16 years, and over that time, I’ve built relationships that manufacturers depend on to get their products noticed and sold. These relationships are incredibly valuable, and I’ve worked hard to position myself as an indispensable asset.
So, when one of my clients asked for a quote on a solution we’ve been promoting for a manufacturer, I naturally expected a discount that reflects my value. But instead, they sent me back a proposal with only a 5% discount. Now, let’s be clear—I negotiated a 25% discount upfront in our contract, so when they came back with only 5%, I had to make a call.
I picked up the phone and said, “John, I don’t get up for 5%.”
What I’ve realized over the years is this: If you don’t put a value on your time, no one else will. Unless I make it clear that my time and energy deserve more than a 5% margin, they’ll keep sending me low-ball offers, expecting me to just roll with it. But I’m not here for that.
It wasn’t always easy to assert myself like this. I had to grow into it. I had to mature my soul—to heal, to develop a sense of worth that goes beyond the numbers. When your soul matures, you’re okay with saying “No, this isn’t for me.” Healing helps you see your true value clearly, without the weight of anxiety clouding your judgment. When I was overwhelmed by anxiety, I couldn’t even see how to price my time appropriately. I couldn’t see the value of my expertise.
Money isn’t everything, but let’s face it—money affects everything important. And if you don’t think money is important, well, feel free to give me some of yours. The value you place on your time is directly linked to how much you’re willing to accept from the marketplace for your energy, effort, and experience. That’s why I felt so proud this week when I said no to 5%. I know what my time is worth, and I’m not afraid to demand it.
Once the manufacturer revised the quote to reflect a 25% discount, now I had the breathing room to offer a reasonable markup to my client and still walked away feeling that both the client and I were fairly compensated. It’s not just about the money; it’s about knowing that I’ve reached a point in my personal and professional journey where I can confidently reject anything that undervalues me.
We all need to come to that place—where our souls mature and heal enough that we recognize the true worth of our time. Whether you’re working a job or running your own business, knowing what you deserve and having the courage to demand it is crucial.
So here’s my question to you: What do you need to reject right now? What’s the thing you’ve been accepting that’s no longer serving you? Is it because your soul needs healing? Is it because your confidence needs to grow? Take a moment to assess. You might realize it’s time to say, “I didn’t wake up for this.”
And if you’re ready to take that next step—whether it’s to grow your business, heal emotionally, or simply start valuing yourself more—I’d love to help. You can schedule a personalized consultation with me, and we’ll work together to figure out what’s holding you back and how you can level up.
Go make those coins!
Your Biggest Cheerleader,
Evespeaks Team
