Hello everyone,

I’ve been in a bit of a bind and could really use some advice from this knowledgeable community.

About a year and a half ago, I began freelancing for a local company, initially as an independent contractor. My tasks included SEO, website development, and building a custom lead generation tool integrating OpenAI technologies.

Despite proving my worth by developing a successful lead generation system and significantly improving client sites, I encountered some challenges. Initially, the company owner promised me a 50% equity stake but later cited financial struggles due to losing clients, delaying my official onboarding.

Recently, I stumbled upon a legal complaint involving a project I worked on for six months, for which I was paid only $750, despite the company earning nearly $30k from it. This pattern of underpayment seems to have been recurring, leading to substantial financial loss on my part.

Currently, the job market is tough, and with the holiday season, securing new clients is challenging. I’m in a tight spot, supporting a family with a young baby and a girlfriend. I have a promising opportunity with a Fortune 500 company in the new year for the lead generation tool I built since I retained complete ownership of it, but that’s still some time away.

I’m seeking advice on how to navigate this situation. Legal action seems impractical due to financial constraints. How should I approach the job market under these circumstances? Any tips on securing short-term work or managing through this period would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your time and insights.