The $6,500 deal that opened million-dollar doors
Back when my agency was just getting off the ground, I landed a client that would unknowingly change the course of my career.
The client was Flock, a web browser blending social networking in a way that felt ahead of its time in 2008.
Signing them felt monumental. I remember watching the ink dry on that contract, feeling a mix of disbelief and excitement—like I’d been handed the keys to something big, even if I didn’t fully grasp the scale yet.
What I didn’t realize at the time was just how big…
Flock wasn’t just any startup. It was a Silicon Valley juggernaut in stealth mode, led by Bart Decrem—a savvy entrepreneur who knew how to create great products. He wasn’t just building a browser; he was assembling a team of open-source legends. And they had just secured a fresh $15 million funding round, bringing their total to a cool $30 million.
But back then, I didn’t dig into the company’s background. I didn’t Google Bart or his team. I had no idea the clout they had in the Valley, nor did I know about their funding. I was just thrilled to have them as a client—so much that I might’ve taken on the work for free. I definitely had stars in my eyes.
Looking back, my ignorance seems almost laughable. But sometimes, naivety puts you in the right place to learn the right lessons.
For five months, I lived and breathed Flock, obsessing over every pixel, interaction, and decision. Working with some of the best minds in the industry, I had to prove myself daily. It was like being thrown into the deep end and learning to swim with sharks—intense but exhilarating.
When we finally neared launch, the project wrapped, and Flock was ready to make its mark on the world. I pulled together my invoice and sent it over to Bart: $6,500 for five months of work.
Yep, you read that right—$6,500.
Even then, I knew it was absurdly low for what the project demanded. But in my inexperience, I was just thrilled to see my agency’s name on a check.
Sure, Bart got a hell of a deal. But what I would gain was far greater than dollars in a bank account.
The day came, and Flock’s launch was electric. It grabbed headlines, racked up awards, and became the darling of the tech press in 2008.
That exposure and my connection to the project put me in rooms I’d never imagined. Suddenly, people were calling me, and doors were swinging open.
Plus, my dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Bart came back for more. His next venture, Tapulous, needed help. That’s where I got to be part of creating Tap Tap Revenge—the most downloaded app on the App Store in 2008. It was a rocket ship, and I was strapped in for the ride.
That five-month stretch with Flock, even at a bargain rate, became the bedrock for everything that followed.
Because of the people I met through Bart (thank you, sir!) and the exposure from Flock’s launch, I ended up working with incredible companies like Criterion Collection, Articulate, The Auteurs (now Mubi), Rypple (later acquired by Salesforce), and many more.
The project taught me to see the real value in what I bring—not just in dollar signs, but in relationships, reputation, and reach.
Sometimes, the best opportunities don’t just fall into your lap—they sneak up when you’re grinding away, head down, not even looking.
That underpaid work didn’t just launch my agency; it set a new course—a career full of meaningful projects, with people who pushed me to be better, and a path that was greater than I could have imagined.
That said, there are two lessons to take away from this story:
- If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to work hard for less if it means gaining experience and exposure to the right people.
- For the love of all things holy—always Google your clients.