Heather Catania Brian Ludlow The Influence Beware! Scammers! They do not pay for work they commission! Los Angeles Internet

Heather and I were introduced through a mutual friend. She expressed interest in hiring me, we talked on the phone, and I met her at her house to go over everything in the same week. Heather Catania and Brian Ludlow then commisioned me to create their online identity and comps for their startup fashion company.

The process was fairly fast, they needed to meet a deadline to submit comps to the developers. I designed the assets over the following weeks (each page, menus, navigations, branded icons - many iterations of each) and submitted the files once they approved everything. I was promised to be paid the week after I had submitted the files. It never occured to me that I wasn't ever going to be paid.

Following week, nothing. Asked about the check-"OMG! getting it to you right away" Weeks went by and I continuously questioned where my payment was, always another excuse cued up. Months went by, same.

There was a long period of time where they both ignored my emails and calls. Eventually, maybe 6 months later, I wrote them letting them know it was my last attempt to personally collect payment, Heather responded and "she totally thought that I was paid already" and something about the books indicating a check was written but not cashed.

Okay, send it again. Ha!

Heather appologizes profuseley after a few more weeks go by. Tells me "she will personally see to it that I am paid right away". Brian tells me that they're waiting on an incoming check and as soon as it's received I will be paid in full, ps I have been charging them a fee every month that has gone by. At this point, I requested a contract be signed stating payment date, amount - everything I should have initially received prior to starting. I get the contract, it says nothing about payment. I revise, send them my version and - POOF! - they dissapear into thin air once again. Haven't heard from them again, ever.

I'm writing this today after receiveing an email from "Heather Social" from heather@heathercatania.tv - I almost fell out of my chair. She's got a new scam in the works "Instagram with Impact". You can even scedule a free 30 minute call with Heather to go over your plan to get popular and rich on Instagram! I'm dying!

Maybe I'll surprise her with a call.

Bottom line, don't work for these two - don't believe anything they say. Avoid them at all costs.