In September, I moved back to Atlanta after spending some time in New York. I was excited to start a new chapter, settle into my own apartment, and get back to doing what I've spent the better part of the last seven years building a career around: marketing and creative work.

Shortly after returning, I walked into Whiplash Comedy Club and introduced myself to the owner, Marshall Chiles. I shared my resume, references, and experience working in entertainment and comedy. What started as a conversation about an opportunity at the box office quickly turned into an opportunity to lead the club's marketing.

I was genuinely excited. Comedy has always been my passion and having the opportunity to help build a new comedy club in Atlanta felt like a perfect fit.

I took on the marketing responsibilities, developing strategy, managing the website, creating promotional graphics, coordinating events, overseeing email marketing, and handling influencer and promotional initiatives. I also continued working in the club itself as a w-2 employee doing box office. Although I was officially hired for the company as an w-2 employee, Marshall told me that my marketing work for the company was considered independent contractor work, despite him dictating my hours, work rate, and tenure of employment.

The workload quickly grew beyond the original agreement. What was initially discussed as 10 hours a week became 20, then 40 hours, with days often stretching from morning until late at night. I eventually left another job so I could dedicate my time to Whiplash.

I believed in the opportunity, and I put everything I had into it.

Unfortunately, problems with payment began almost immediately. My first paycheck was significantly short. My marketing invoices were repeatedly delayed, and I often had to follow up multiple times to receive payment for work that had already been completed.

I tried to be understanding. I was told there were banking issues and administrative complications, and I gave the situation more grace than I probably should have. I continued working, delivering projects, and taking on additional responsibilities because I believed things would eventually get sorted out.

One of my biggest projects was rebuilding the club's website. I spent days working on it, coordinating with multiple vendors, implementing requested changes, and getting the new site ready. The website was delivered, reviewed, and approved by the team.

By late October, I had continued working on the new website, transferring it, adding additional requests and changes, as well as makking promotional materials, event listings, email campaigns, video content, and other marketing operations for the company.

Then, when it came time to submit my next invoice, communication changed.

Instead of addressing my invoice, I was asked for the new website login information. Shortly afterward, I was told that my timesheet was inaccurate and that my work was being questioned. Despite having been physically present at the club working, completing assignments, and communicating with the team throughout the week, I was suddenly terminated.

I was told I would need to submit a revised invoice and timesheet before payment could be considered.

I did. I reviewed my records, corrected the invoice, added hours I had initially overlooked, and removed work I had not completed once communication went ghost. I made every effort to resolve the matter professionally.

Despite those efforts and immense records of evidence, I still have not received any payment for the work I performed.

The situation has left me in an incredibly difficult position.

I had recently moved into my own apartment and taken on the financial responsibilities that come with supporting myself. I left another job to commit to this opportunity, believing I had found stable work. Instead, I lost that income unexpectedly and was left trying to cover rent, basic living expenses, and everything else without the wages I was counting on.

Contributions will go toward immediate living expenses, including rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and giving me some breathing room while I work to secure new employment and get back on stable financial footing.

Any contribution, no matter the amount, would mean more than I can express. If you're unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would also be an enormous help.

I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who has checked in, offered support, and reminded me that one difficult experience doesn't define what comes next.

Thank you for helping me get through this chapter and find my footing again.