The success of an ambition depends on the kind of support you can drum up. It won’t be immediately forthcoming, so keep a steady beat.
An older fellow (perhaps a previous employer?) provides a valuable introduction. This calls for more than a thank-you. Throw him some business.
You have to take the dips with the rises in a business partnership. Things have been rough recently, but he’s on his way to getting his mojo back.
The worst time to act is when you feel out of your depth. Get anxieties under control and you’ll reconnect to the ground beneath your feet.
Are people really dissing you? For all of your talk of respect, perhaps what you’re really looking for is self-respect.
You hate paying someone who doesn’t deserve it, but disputing it makes matters worse. The sooner this person is out of your life, the sooner you can get the job done right.