Hi, I’m Seda Calbay Stack — founder of Socially Sed LLC and Calbay Content Studios in La Grange, IL.

For the last decade, I’ve helped brands grow through honest storytelling, creative strategy, and authentic content. I finally took the leap this year to go full-time, opening my own studio — a space I dreamed of for years after working from the floor of my house.

But the same week I went all in on myself, my largest client — a local woman-owned business I had worked with for over six months — ended my retainer without warning. I had just signed a lease, invested in equipment, and turned down other work to focus on their brand.

For months, I had over-delivered — creating photography, videos, and full rebrands that are still being used online without full payment. I’ve spent every day since then searching for a lawyer, taking out loans, and trying to survive while they continue profiting off the work I created.

I’m embarrassed to even share this — but I’ve reached a point where silence isn’t strength, it’s survival. This is the second time a woman-owned company has convinced me to leave a stable career, only to leave me rebuilding from nothing. I lost myself once before, rebuilding in silence for five years. I’m not doing it again.

I’m sharing this because creators deserve protection. Freelancers deserve contracts that mean something. Women in business deserve better from one another.

Every donation will go toward:

Legal representation and filing fees

Studio rent and recovery costs while I rebuild

Copyright registration and protection for my work

Continued advocacy for other freelancers facing exploitation

If you can’t donate, please explore my services (My Studio ), My website

share my story.

If you’re a lawyer who takes contingency or pro bono cases, please reach out. I have the proof, the timeline, and the truth and a contract they tried to make me sign (signing over all rights) — I just need help fighting back.

Thank you for seeing me, believing me, and helping me fight for fairness.

Seda