[Renovation]

So I am really bummed out right now. It seems like every time I overcome a major obstacle another one comes flying at me just around the corner. It's been like this for the better part of the last 12 months. I had to close down my business, which was a horrible experience. We are up to our eyeballs in debt because I had to undertake some of the debt from the company that I had to personally guarantee. I am 52 years old and on unemployment. On the personal side, my dad was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's, although it seems he's going to be OK because they may have caught it early. Nonetheless, I have tried to stay focused and have been moving toward restarting my business. I am blessed to have a wonderful wife, who is fully supportive. I love her so much - her gentleness is my source of strength.

Anyway, I am trying to restart my business and have everything lined up to do so successfully. My previous major backer has given me permission to move forward; I have a team in place - better than the one I used to have; and we have prospective customers. It couldn't be any better and I have worked long and hard to get to this point. Now out of the blue a former backer is coming into the picture and wants to prevent me from moving forward. He wants to take the idea and possibly use it to start his own company. I have reached out to him and indicated that I am willing to work with him and want to be cooperative but I am getting signals that he might get litigious, which is freaking me out. Yesterday, out of the blue, he sent me a text message and left a voicemail asking for my address. I'm sure it's not because he wants to send me a Valentine's Day card and can only imagine the worst because this guy has a history of being litigious.

I want to reach out to him and put my situation in very personal terms to try to appeal to his sense of humanity. Restarting my business is the best way for me to make a living. I am currently unemployed. He has a job. I don't. We previously had a very positive relationship. He was one of my initial backers and was a big supporter even after we had to close down the company. So, I know at heart, he is a good person. I spoke with a friend, who is a very experienced businessman, about this situation this morning. He advised me to ignore the messages and that I have no obligation to respond. He suggested I hold off for a few days and wait to see what move this person makes.

Without me it will be very difficult for him to successfully restart the company. He doesn't have the expertise, relationships or team that I do. I am at a loss in terms of what to do. On the one hand I am very tempted to pick up the phone and call him. On the other, he is being antagonistic so there is no reason for me to be cooperative. I am waiting for a piece of information this Friday that once received will put me in a situation where I can speak freely with this person. I am afraid to piss him off by not responding to his message but, then again, he was supposed to get back to me a couple of weeks ago and never called back until yesterday.

[Renovation]

OK, so I ended up sending an email to this person in response to his and we are due to speak tomorrow. It is amazing how the mind sometimes races to the worst case scenario. I have to pay attention to this. Had some good conversations about this issue with various friends today, which helped me to put things in perspective. I am feeling better now. The lesson is to approach the conversation with positive intentions and energy and a spirit of gratitude and collaboration as opposed to going into it in a state of fear and defensive. Two very different energy levels and approaches. I am at my best when I focus on putting positive energy out into the world.

I hope it goes well for you.

[Stranger2]

I wish you luck and hope he doesn't backstab you.. Stay positive and hopefully things will work out..

[Renovation]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. I spoke with the person today and had a cordial conversation. I had jumped to a worst case scenario conclusion and it didn't turn out to be this way at all. I am now feeling better and optimistic that I will be able to restart my business.

Do I hear you sighing?

Be well.