I’m a web developer & graphic designer by trade. My partner is an online marketing specialist. Technology and development is very much dominated by men yet we hold our own pretty well. There are men that respect us though at times we are challenged to be taken seriously by some male counterparts; yet male business owners out number our female clients and here we are in a capacity to serve. We appreciate them all the same.
Recently I attended a conference where I made some new contacts, one of whom asked if we provide contract work to larger agencies. We all talked and seemed to hit it off. It seemed like it would be a good match for a business relationship and a great opportunity – we had the same ideas about design, taking care of clients and a passion for getting it right. Along came our first project and it was not the software we were used to but a different one yet since it was just production (copy/paste/insert) we took on the project.
3-4 weeks later we deliver what was to be our first and last project to them. It was nearing the deadline and I finished up my portion, fired off an email to my contact and explained the challenges I thought the site faced and a willingness to work the weekend to finish this up. I apologized for getting a tad behind. 4 days later I got a nasty email saying we’ve ruined their client and his reputation. I really didn’t understand his upset b/c we had done the best we had with what we were given despite us asking for better stuff…. We explained that…
- We followed their limited specs and scope of the project
- We were given images that were poor quality
- The content was full of grammar and spelling errors
- The scope was production which means “put it together” not design and the design is additional time
- Quality assurance was not our responsibility as it was laid out in the beginning that they would handle so why were they asking this of us.
- We were given a theme that was not fully installed
- There was no design layout to go by for what their client wanted
- No social media links for the client (and we couldn’t find any either)
- The project was very poorly organized.
- . So we did the best we had with what we were given because we were told to no worry about those things right now
In the end the President said our answer and our offer to fix whatever necessary was unacceptable BS. He removed us from the project and said not to bother sending the invoice.
Blu Dove is a partnership of 2 strong, kind-hearted, capable women. We strive to make things right; to fix what is broken especially if we broke it; to serve our clients in the best possible way so that they are successful.
The other company .. 2 men who clearly set us up to fail. Even his email said so – that he believed the project was destined to fail…. Maybe they saw us coming and we missed any red flags. I don’t really know.
So why give us the contract if there was a belief it was going to fail?
We examined what we were given, gave them feedback, asked proper questions, were purposely given nothing to work with or responses…. and ultimately we have become the perfect scapegoats in this whole drama.
I still believe we did the right thing.
Our biggest mistake… signing their contract and not having them sign ours. Allowing them to dictate price instead of telling them the price.
Live and learn. Sometimes it hurts. Now that I’ve said my peace, I can go to sleep and tomorrow will be a new day.
