They represented 34% of our revenue.



Perfect payment history. Long-term relationship. Steady income stream.

I fired them yesterday.

Why?

Because they were stealing something far more valuable than the money they paid: my freedom.

This client demanded instant responses at all hours. Weekend calls were "just part of premium service." Their emergencies became my family's sacrifices.

My company showed excellent financial performance. But my life showed the strain of constant availability.

The breaking point came when I missed my son's championship game for an "urgent" client call that could have waited until Monday.

That night, I implemented Freedom Boundaries:

1. Clear working hours with no exceptions
2. Emergency response fees for after-hours requests
3. Streamlined services that eliminated weekend work
4. Pricing that supported these boundaries

When I explained the new structure, this major client refused to adapt.

So I ended the relationship.

The aftermath surprised everyone:

Our profit margins increased 12% within two quarters. My working hours decreased by 45%. I haven't missed a game since.

New clients who respected boundaries replaced the demanding one.

Here's what I learned: Revenue that costs your freedom is too expensive, regardless of the amount.

Your business should be the vehicle creating your ideal existence—not the burden preventing you from living it.

Sometimes business optimization requires pruning, not just growth.

What's the real cost of your most demanding client?