Using Everything I Created for His Own Profit/Popularity…Disgusted

[Hope0807]

Every word I wrote, every picture I took, and every bit of years worth of work in marketing I did over the years for a business we were both building is something he now uses to represent and promote HIM HIM HIM via the internet and social media.  He will continue to profit and gain reputable notoriety while I am looking at getting a second job to supplement my career salary to stay afloat.  I'm sick!  This isn't new news but I don't know when the sick feeling of it all will go away.  He's a magician and I can't stand it. 

I couldn't afford the legal processes to shut it down or fight for profits…he reports none and I was legally advised that it's best to just "... .leave him to do what he will most likely do even if you go through the trouble to shut it all down.  Sounds like he'll just continue to operate as he is and you have your career, just chalk it up as a loss."

Yes, advice for my safety and well being is/was nice but it doesn't quell the pit in my stomach for what I worked to hard to build, loved being a part of with all my heart, and mourn intensely as a purpose-driven passion I created for the two of us.  Now he reaps all the rewards on top of the intense cruelty that's all gone down. 

How do I process this? 

[Mutt]

"... .leave him to do what he will most likely do even if you go through the trouble to shut it all down.  Sounds like he'll just continue to operate as he is and you have your career, just chalk it up as a loss."

I'm sorry to hear of your IP loss. That's tough.

I lost everything as my ex left everything behind ( credit, debt, bills ) accumulated from our marriage.

I had no choice but to file for bankruptcy protection. Unfair.

You got solid advise from your L. Perhaps that feeling in your stomach is not accepting the loss? I was done with feeling that knot I my stomach due to my ex.

Sometimes you must lose everything to gain it again, and the regaining is the sweeter for the pain of loss.

What I gained back more valuable than lost. My next marriage, pre-nuptial is a boundary or no marriage.

My point. It's OK to be angry, don't let it become bitterness. It may take time, an option is create a new IP? Protect it like your child.

[thatwasthat]

Same here.

I won't go into detail about the business on an open forum, but I can say that much... .

I basically turned her hobby into a business. As it often goes with start ups it takes some time to really get traction and take off. That point came relatively shortly after she disappeared.

It's not so much about the money. What makes me kind of sick is that the brand name was an inside joke between us. It has really gained traction and, mainly through strings I pulled back then, is now getting boosted on social media by celebrities.

While I'm trying to make ends meet.

She sucked me dry financially just before disappearing, with a couple of well orchestrated moves. I'm TRYING to get back on my feet financially which seems almost impossible (and I'm only 30) while she is sunning herself in a success which isn't hers. It's disgusting.

[Hope0807]

Thanks Mutt, and thatwasthat…I'm smh at your experience as it sounds quite close to my own.  The brand name I created is an inside connection also, so-to-speak, that he is now allowing others to take part in as if they have some ownership (or maybe they do, I don't know)…

He's so incredibly greedy but does a great masking it with half-hearted gestures with others, so who knows if the many he surrounds himself with will simply be grateful for the opportunity to work in presence.

The fact that your ex is getting business boost by celebrities is disgusting and I fear the same for mine as well, but am trying hard to let it all go.  My ex was utterly incapable of managing ANYTHING when were together…finances, household functions, pets, his own health, or any of the small to larger matters with the business.  The ONLY way he will thrive is through a carefully assembled group of RESCUERS who will happily (and cluelessly, like me) guide him to furthered success.

I'm focusing on me and healing but it's so hard to KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt that he is operating a business fraudulently.  HE is profiting from MY intellect, natural creativity, years of college and business experience and I am the one who is struggling to pay my bills and get back on my feet.  He is operating fraudulently on so many levels and the fraud that plagues my heart the most is the fact that he works with animals and uses them to continue this illusion.

My heart is so heavy today.  Thanks again for your reply.

Same here.

I won't go into detail about the business on an open forum, but I can say that much... .

I basically turned her hobby into a business. As it often goes with start ups it takes some time to really get traction and take off. That point came relatively shortly after she disappeared.

It's not so much about the money. What makes me kind of sick is that the brand name was an inside joke between us. It has really gained traction and, mainly through strings I pulled back then, is now getting boosted on social media by celebrities.

While I'm trying to make ends meet.

She sucked me dry financially just before disappearing, with a couple of well orchestrated moves. I'm TRYING to get back on my feet financially which seems almost impossible (and I'm only 30) while she is sunning herself in a success which isn't hers. It's disgusting.

[thatwasthat]

But hey... .Haha.

Still sad, but something makes me kind of giggle.

The growth in followers and admirers she has with that brand could, by now, relatively easily be turned into a self-running cash printer. But she doesn't have a clue about how.

It shows what it is all about for her. Followers, validation,... .You know what I mean. She's unable to see the real opportunity that is right in front of her.

"Look at me!  I have orders from several music icons/legends."

A couple of days ago she used a "funny"  picture I shot of her for promotion. This picture was a snapshot I took one day which turned out to be so funny we were literally rolling around on the floor laughing.

Behind the facade... .They can't do ___ alone. Even digging through our old photos to use them.

[Hope0807]

thatwasthat,

I'm SO happy to read you are finding success on your own!  You are very lucky to have work in music.  Music heals the soul!

I'm an entrepreneur at heart and an out-of-the-box thinker and HAVE to make something wonderful out of this most horrid experience.

YES!…I hear you... .he stole every word I wrote, picture I took, and document I created to continue his magic act.  The cash thing…YUP…he hasn't a clue either!  Followers, validation, mismanaged cash, criminal behavior and chaos rule his days.  Although it seems like a strong possibility those around him may catapult him to unprecedented success…I can't help but pray he fails.  The animals he works with and the people who think he is a god deserve better.  All I can do is steer clear and take care of me.

Your story of building a business/identity for them is close to mine.  I'll look forward to your updates.  Thank you so much for sharing. 

But hey... .Haha.

Still sad, but something makes me kind of giggle.

The growth in followers and admirers she has with that brand could, by now, relatively easily be turned into a self-running cash printer. But she doesn't have a clue about how.

It shows what it is all about for her. Followers, validation,... .You know what I mean. She's unable to see the real opportunity that is right in front of her.

"Look at me!  I have orders from several music icons/legends."

A couple of days ago she used a "funny"  picture I shot of her for promotion. This picture was a snapshot I took one day which turned out to be so funny we were literally rolling around on the floor laughing.

Behind the facade... .They can't do ___ alone. Even digging through our old photos to use them.