Chasing the Dream: Overcoming Scams and Broken Promises

Every professional has a dream—whether it’s landing that big promotion, launching a successful business, or finding a workplace where they can truly thrive. But for many of us, the journey to achieving those dreams is riddled with obstacles we never anticipated. Scams, false promises, and systemic inequities often become roadblocks, leaving us questioning our goals and our worth.

In my book, It’s Me, Not You: How I Survived Toxic Work Environments, I share a deeply personal story about chasing my dreams and learning some hard truths along the way. It’s a story about resilience, self-discovery, and reclaiming power after setbacks that could have easily derailed my career.

A Personal Story

At one point in my career, I had the opportunity to pursue a long-held dream—a project that allowed me to live out passions I’d suppressed for years. I poured everything into it: time, energy, and even my personal finances. But as the venture began to take shape, red flags started to emerge.

A business partner, who seemed trustworthy at first, began asking for more money than initially agreed upon. Promises of shared profits were vague and constantly shifting. And then came the moment I’ll never forget: a critical meeting where I discovered I’d been duped. The partner had been leveraging my work to secure deals I wasn’t even aware of, and my financial investment was gone.

To make matters worse, I later learned I had been earning significantly less than others in similar roles—simply because of my gender. It was a devastating realization. The dream I had worked so hard to achieve had turned into a nightmare, leaving me feeling betrayed, exhausted, and disillusioned.

But that experience taught me something invaluable: while I couldn’t control the actions of others, I could control how I responded.

Lessons in Resilience

Dreams don’t always come easy, and sometimes the pursuit of them will lead us into difficult situations. But the way we navigate those moments can shape our future success. Here are three key lessons I learned from overcoming scams and broken promises:

1. Do Your Research Before partnering with anyone or investing in a new venture, take the time to verify their credentials, track record, and intentions. Ask for references, review contracts thoroughly, and don’t hesitate to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.

2. Protect Your Worth Whether you’re negotiating a salary, a business deal, or a partnership, know your value and advocate for it. Research industry standards, benchmark your skills, and ensure you’re being compensated fairly. Never settle for less than you deserve.

3. Reframe Setbacks as Opportunities While scams and broken promises can be deeply painful, they also present opportunities for growth. Reflect on what you’ve learned, set stronger boundaries, and use those experiences to make better decisions in the future.

Moving Forward

Chasing a dream is never without risk, but those risks don’t have to define your journey. By staying vigilant, resilient, and committed to your vision, you can overcome setbacks and emerge stronger.

In It’s Me, Not You, I share more about my experience with scams, broken promises, and gender inequities—and how I reclaimed my power and confidence. My story is a testament to the fact that even in the face of betrayal, you can rebuild and thrive.

What’s Your Dream?

Have you encountered challenges or setbacks while chasing your dream? How did you overcome them? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below. Remember, every step forward—no matter how small—is a victory. Let’s inspire one another to keep moving toward the dreams we deserve!