At 29, I wasn’t just finalizing a divorce. I was entering a new era of treaty self-preservation. It meant completely reshaping how I thought about contributions, boundaries, and my own worth.
When you go through something like marriage fraud, you learn firsthand that love without legal protection can cost you more than a heartbeat. This can cost you your peace of mind, your sense of belonging and your sense of control. This experience completely changed how I approach contracts, not just in relationships, but in business.
Today, as a content creator, marketer, and former Wall Street professional, I view contracts the same way I view marriage now: No partnership should begin without clarity, accountability, and security.
Table of Contents
From prenups to creative partnerships, contracts should protect you.
When I got married, I had no prep. Like many women, I thought that asking for someone would make me seem desperate or insecure. But here’s the truth: contracts aren’t about antitrust. They are about discipline.
A prenup outlines the terms of the partnership. This includes financial commitments, liability and possible dissolution. It’s not romantic, but it’s reality. Looking back, I wish I had added a few clauses, one in particular The disbelief clause This would create betrayal and financial accountability for one Reputation Protection Clause It protected my public image in case of fraud.
My divorce didn’t just teach me about love. He taught me about leverage. What I learned changed how I now approach my brand partnerships. When someone lies in a marriage, you realize how much damage can be done when transparency is missing. When a brand violates a contract or delays payment, the principle is the same: integrity without enforcement means nothing.
Today, I am more intentional about every collaboration. I am involved in every step – from legal review to creative concept. I’ve learned that being hands-on is not controlling. It is conscious.
My reputation has only grown since I adopted this approach. Brands trust me because I’m direct. My audience trusts me because I am transparent. And I trust myself because now I know how to protect my name, my image and my work. This approach has landed me authentic brand deals that fit my story.
Almost poetically, my recent partnership with Hulu for their Show All festival, which follows powerful female divorce attorneys, brought everything into full circle. I broke down three prenup clauses that I will never let love talk to me: One The disbelief clausea Financial defamation clauseand a Reputation Protection Clause.
Those clauses were not hypothetical. They were lessons I had earned hard. And ironically, the same protections that will keep me safe in marriage are the same protections that every creative person needs in business.
Disbelief clauses mirror immunity clauses. Financial dishonesty parallels late payment and transparency clauses. And, reputational protection is exactly the type of clause that protects creators if a brand is recalled. The overlap is real, and that’s why I take agreement so seriously in every area of my life.
Because at the end of the day, both marriage and marketing rely on the same thing: trust trust through terms.
Clause creators need to know
In the social media industry, creators often jump into partnerships based on opportunity and excitement. But just like in relationships, emotion without structure is dangerous. I have learned that a written contract is an act of self-confidence. it says, I value my work enough to protect it.
When I interact with brands now, I think of it as a business marriage – one that is clear about expectations, timelines and boundaries. This means my contracts have clauses to protect me. These clauses are not just about money. They are about protecting the value that I bring to the table.
Here are some clauses that I always pay attention to.
payment Terms and late fees
The creative industry is notorious for late payments. So, I add a Late payment clause which ensures payment for every day past the agreed date. It’s not about greed. I want to make sure partners are accountable and hold up their end of the bargain.
Usage rights
The usage rights state that the content I create will be used by the brand I partner with. I always make sure to ask:
- How long will a brand use my content?
- If they are running paid ads behind it.
- Where the content will ultimately be published and live.
These details determine the value of the contribution. A one-time Instagram post does not equate to permanent paid usage across global channels.
Exemption clauses
Exclusion clauses are the business version of loyalty. If a skincare brand pays me to exclusively represent them, that means I can’t promote other skincare brands during that term. And if I did, there would be financial consequences.
It is no different from an infidelity clause in a marriage contract. I like to say, “If he breaks vows, he should break bread.” Similarly, in business, if you break your promise, you must pay a penalty.
LIABILITY AND CREDIT CLAUSES
Liability and fiduciary clauses are part of a contract that protect creators from being blamed, sued, or financially harmed. Brand does You will usually see this language displayed
- LIMITATION OF LIABILITYfor , for , for , . compensationor hold harmless These clauses are designed to set clear boundaries around you and are not responsible for this.
- a LIMITATION OF LIABILITY The clause limits how much liability the creator has if something goes wrong with the brand, such as product problems, misleading claims, or legal trouble.
- one compensation The clause determines who is financially responsible if damages occur. Ideally, creators should seek mutual protection so that each party is responsible for their own actions.
- a Credibility Clause Just as important, though it may not appear under that exact name. This usually appears as language that allows the creator to stop, suspend, or terminate the partnership if the brand becomes involved in scandal, controversy, discrimination claims, or anything that could damage the creator’s public image.
As a creator, your image is Your Asset You can’t afford to commit suicide in someone else’s downfall.
Why every creator should know their contracts clause by clause
One of the biggest misconceptions I see in the creative industry is that your lawyer should handle everything. Yes, you need legal representation, but you also need literacy.
As a woman in business, I never want to sign something I don’t understand. I want to know every clause, every term and every implication. I want to know if a brand doesn’t pay on time, if content is reproduced without approval, or if a campaign is canceled after delivery is completed.
When I worked on Wall Street, I had to analyze market data and client mandates in intricate detail before moving forward on any transaction. I bring that same rigor and attention to detail to my work as a creator. Whether it’s a Wall Street firm or a beauty campaign, the premise is the same: protect your interests, define your responsibilities, and anchor your value in clear terms.
In reality, social media marketing is still a young industry. It has yet to survive a complete economic cycle or recession. The lack of structure and precedent makes treaties even more important. You can’t afford to assume that “things will just work out.” Hope is not a legal strategy.
These are the lessons I take with me:
- Clarity is compassion. Contracts protect both parties. Make the terms clear, less misunderstandings.
- Loyalty isn’t just romantic. It is professional. Honor your contracts and do the same with your partners.
- Never outsource your understanding. Advocates are important, but your literacy is your responsibility.
- Add clauses that protect your peace of mind. Late payment, liability, and credit clauses are not optional. They are essential.
- Value yourself enough to communicate. If a brand wants exclusivity, it has a price. Don’t be afraid to ask for it.
- Treat your name like an LLC. Protect it, trademark it, and never let anyone misuse it.
Limits win
My divorce at 29 forced me to rethink not only how I love, but how I lead. It taught me that contracts, whether personal or professional, are not about expecting failure. They are about creating safety, clarity and respect.
In both business and life, people will test boundaries. But when your terms are clear, your protections are in place, and your price is documented, you don’t just keep your peace of mind. You protect your power.
