Client Zoning™ — Part of The Line System™
Studio Survival Test
15 client scenarios ripped from real studio disasters. Your answers reveal where your boundaries leak money—and exactly what to say next time.
What You'll Face
Every scenario happened to a real studio
No names. Just the trauma—and your chance to handle it better than they did.
The Budget Bomb
Client reveals they have 40% of your quoted budget—after you've invested 12 hours in the proposal. How do you respond?
The Creeping Brief
"Just one more small revision" turns into a complete redesign. The client insists it was always included. Your move?
The Ghost Client
Three weeks of silence. Then: "Why isn't this done?" They ignored your 7 approval requests. How do you handle this?
The Weekend Emergency
11 PM Friday text: "I need revised drawings by Monday 8 AM for an investor meeting." You had plans. What do you say?
What You'll Get
Not just a score. A system.
Your Survival Score
Three meters track your decisions: Bank (financial health), Sanity (personal wellbeing), and Reputation (industry standing). Hit zero on any—game over.
Your Founder Archetype
From Bankrupt to Real Unicorn—discover which of nine archetypes matches your decision patterns and what it reveals about your blind spots.
Word-for-Word Scripts
Copy-paste responses for your weakest scenarios. No more fumbling through awkward conversations or agreeing to things you shouldn't.
Sample Result
The Nine Archetypes
Where will you land?
From game over to unicorn—your decisions reveal which founder you really are.
Bank = 0
Bankrupt
Your pricing decisions drained the account. Studio closed.
Sanity = 0
Burned Out
No boundaries, no breaks. Your body quit first.
Reputation = 0
Blacklisted
Word travels fast. No one's returning your calls.
Surviving
The Creative Martyr
Sacrificing everything for the work. Noble, but unsustainable.
Surviving
High-Functioning Workaholic
Impressive output hiding a countdown to collapse.
Surviving
Transactional Mercenary
All business, no soul. Profitable but hollow.
Thriving
The Steady Operator
Systems in place. Boundaries respected. Room to grow.
Thriving
The Boundary Architect
Clear zones. Firm boundaries. Professional operations.
Exceptional
The Real Unicorn
Creative excellence with business mastery. The dream made real.
I thought I was good at handling difficult clients. Turns out I was just good at absorbing the damage. The scripts alone saved me from two pricing disasters last month.
— Architecture Studio Founder, 8-person firm
Most founders can't
survive all 15
Find out where your studio's invisible cracks are—before your next client finds them for you.