Why I Don't Work on Pure Performance for GTM or Raising

People ask me all the time to work on "commission only." Here are the real reasons I don't accept that model from new clients.

1. If you're asking for pure performance, you're usually broke for a reason.

You didn't find success before. No PMF. No momentum. That means I will work 10 times more than I would with someone who already has cash, traction or a proven product.

2. If you have money but still refuse to risk it, you didn't do your research on me.

You didn't pick up the signals. You didn't recognize a winner. That means we are not cut from the same cloth. We won't fit.

3. If you tried a shitty agency before, you have poor partner-picking skills.

Red flag. My job isn't to fix your trauma from amateurs.

4. I tested the "commission only" model with 200+ sales reps. It failed.

You obviously never built a team or tested this yourself. I will let you continue wasting years hiring juniors while AGI eats your niche alive.

5. Think for two seconds. I am busy as hell.

I pick my clients like a sniper. I am part of the 0.01 percent. Why would I take unlimited risk on someone who refuses to take any?

6. Working with low PMF founders rots your brain.

It drains time, cash, clarity and energy. You end up broke and confused about what the market actually wants. Why would I take that in?

7. I do work on performance, but only after a client passes my filters.

The elite. The ones who paid. The ones who became partners and friends. The ones with real PMF hints. People I respect and would bet on. Taking performance risk on them is low. They always pay and the results come fast.

8. I check every LinkedIn profile that asks for pure commission.

Almost all are starters. Zero PMF. Cringe websites. PMF probability under one percent.

The Bottom Line

This is why "commission only" from the start is naive. It is like asking Kobe to prove himself.

You don't interview Kobe. You don't test Kobe. You kneel, shut up, and take a seat on the rocketship.

Not the other way around.