Review I wrote January 14, 2025:…read more
I was warned about TLK Fusion -- and I in hindsight i should have listened .
My experience working with TLK Fusion was very disappointing and ultimately financially damaging to my small business.
Over the course of our 12-month engagement, I was constantly requesting clarity about what work was being performed, including timelines and documentation of outreach to retailers. Only after I withheld payment and discussed cancellation did TLK Fusion retrospectively provide a generalized "list of work" covering four months of activity -- a list that had never been shared during our engagement and contained no dates, no evidence of activity, and no noted outcomes.
When I asked questions about inconsistencies -- including the same retailers appearing on monthly updates -- I did not receive clear or constructive responses. In one exchange, I was told, "Do you think I need your $2,000 retainer to pay my Rolls-Royce payment?" and "I'm sure you're not struggling to put food on the table." I found those comments inappropriate in a professional client relationship.
Communication became increasingly limited over time, yet monthly billing continued and I was consistently reminded to pay on schedule. I also attended a scheduled in-person meeting after being told Ken would stop by to say hello; I drove two hours for this meeting, but he did not appear.
I was told the contract was based on "best efforts." However, from my perspective this did not come with sufficient transparency about what those efforts actually were. When I later asked for documentation of work performed, I was told they were not legally required to provide written records. Based on my experience, I did not see verifiable results that I could clearly attribute to TLK Fusion's work.
In July, I was advised that stopping payments could cause me to "lose out" on opportunities with retailers such as Nordstrom and Macy's, which influenced my decision to continue paying. Six months later, I still did not see any results, and I ultimately secured a Nordstrom opportunity on my own through my own outreach.
When I requested a refund for fees paid after July -- a period in which I felt there was little meaningful communication -- TLK Fusion declined. After I indicated that I intended to share my experience publicly, their attorney contacted me and warned that doing so would be "unwise" and that they were prepared to litigate. I am now choosing to share my experience so other small business owners can make informed decisions.
I am posting this so other entrepreneurs can consider my experience when evaluating whether a service provider is the right fit for their needs. Based on how I was treated, I now better understand why other clients might hesitate to speak openly about their experiences.
Update: My Google review is currently not visible.
DAYS after sharing my honest experience, TLK filed a lawsuit seeking $500,000 in damages against me in Jams -I was forced to retained legal counsel and to date incurred over $30,000 in legal fees to defend my right to speak about my business experience. I received continued legal threats requesting that I remove my reviews, but I chose not to because I believe other small business owners deserve transparency when making decisions.
The company filed an emergency Temporary Restraining Order against my business, requiring me and my attorneys to appear in court within 24 hours and submit a written opposition on short notice. I learned that many small businesses may not have the resources to respond under that kind of pressure. In those circumstances, deleting a review can feel like the easier and less intimidating option.
The Court ultimately denied the TRO, noting that the requested relief implicated free speech and public policy concerns.
As this matter is part of the public court record, I am sharing this update for transparency and those who choose to read it can.
Has anyone else has had a similar experience?
