The day my mother's friend tried to collect my brand deal

Last year during harmattan, I was buzzing. I had finally landed my first big brand deal with a skincare company. The money was good, like really good. I told my mother because I was excited, she was happy too.

Then she mentioned it to her friend, Aunty Bose. The same Aunty Bose who has a daughter that does 'influencing' but has 200 followers. My mother said Aunty Bose offered to 'help' negotiate because she knows the marketing manager. I said no thank you. My mother insisted. Aunty Bose called the brand and started telling them I was difficult, that I needed a manager, that she could handle me better.

Chai. The brand almost pulled out. They called me confused. I had to beg, send screenshots of my original proposal, prove I was the one doing the work. I lost two weeks and almost ₦850,000 because of that woman.

I told my mother that day: I love you, but your friends are not my business partners. She cried. But she understood. Now I keep my wins to myself until the money hits my account. The lesson? Not everyone who smiles at you wants to see you win. Some of them just want to sit at your table.