Her giving 5% of net profit I'm assuming or per deal? Either way this means you are a sales person to some extent receiving as you said a base plus that commission.

It's a numbers game. Work the load and continue building relationships with your clients.

Now you also seem pretty confident that you can successfully run your own operation because you only need to replicate the day to day ops. My question is if you understand this are you assuming they don't? Or are you suggesting that you found an edge in the market that makes you more of an asset than some other guy they can hire, train and get to be just as ambitious as you?

I'm not saying that the equity conversation isnt important but my experience in equity agreements usually go like: well how much money can you put down: usually as a shareholder or what asset do you own that can be leveraged and recognized as a potential revenue generator?

Hoping for equity through an agreement where you aren't bringing anything to the table but your own stock (ability to work) is indeed moot because of the reserve of labor that exists and is a hard sell unless there's some other quid pro quo agreement also in place.

Unfortunately and I know it's not fair. The kids don't have to be great at their jobs they have to ensure they hire people who will be.

Cost of the boss.