Always be Ready to Walk Away
One of my lessons running my own business is to be ready to walk away from a deal. When a deal is too good to be true, or the deal violates your personal code, be willing to walk away from the deal.
When I was struggling for sales, I took up deals that gave me bad vibes. I ended up regretting it. The time cost and stress to service these accounts gave me endless nightmares. These bad accounts have also taken time away from good customers that I should be servicing.
At that time, I know it is a poison pill, but I was desperate for business. In hindsight, I should have walk away and maintain my principal. Not taking the account, I may starve but I will not die of starvation. By taking the account, I was stressed and lose opportunities in getting better accounts.
People will not regret for walking away from a deal, but they will have nightmare for taking a bad deal. So be ready to walk away.