Profiting From Misery: Is It Right For You?

October 10, 2008

Would you feel comfortable profiting from the misery of others? It’s something you’ve got to consider seriously, when you’re trying to come up with business ideas. You see, I’ve been in the business of profiting from other people’s disasters. And given the choice between running a business which helps folk in a crisis, or doing something which has a positive impact on people’s lives in general, I’d take the latter everytime.

Now I wasn’t taking advantage of people, as some ambulance chasers do. And I was providing a solution to their problems. There will always be a demand for the type of business that helps folk who are in the shit, but there’s a few things you need to know before you consider this type of business.

Isn’t It Rewarding To Help Folk Who Are In Dire Need?

If you’re a caring type, the idea of saving folk in desperate sitations may seem appealing. When I first went into fire and flood restoration, I thought it would be a lot like nursing, in fact an associate told me it was. I guess she must have worked in some strange hospitals.

You see, there’s a massive difference. Nurses get paid a wage, a low one at that - to help folk who are suffering. They’re not profiting every time they care for someone who’s broken their neck, or been diagnosed with some life threatening disease. And that makes a huge difference.

And The Sad Things Is - You Actually Find Yourself Hoping Folk Will Have Disasters

When I had a fire and flood restoration business, I made money through people having a disaster, caused by burst pipes or flooding. And while I felt really bad that their homes and contents had been wrecked, I can’t deny that I welcomed those floods every time.

When you’re relying on your customers to suffer severe problems before they need you, your business can leave you feeling a bit tainted. Because the truth is, you want folk to have these huge, life interrupting problems. It may sound callous - but when it’s the only thing that’s putting food on your table, you find yourself hoping for heavy downpours, or some nice freezing weather, to burst a few pipes.

How Could Anybody Be So Mean To Wish That Other Folk Would Have Disasters?

It’s terrible isn’t it? Before I went into that business, I was an extremely caring person. But when you’re under pressure to perform, it’s easy to tell yourself that it’s ok to wish these disasters on people. I just told myself it was only material things that were damaged and people who got upset over them were just plain weak. It may sound heartless - but when you’re profiting from these type of things, you’ll tell yourself anything to make it feel ok.

So What Happens If You’re Profiting In A Situation Where Folk Die?

I guess some businesses are profiting from death - parlours of repose, for example. In fact, I spoke to a guy who’d just set up that type of business and I was shocked when he joked that he was actually hoping for a huge disaster, to give his business a good start. What he actually said was far worse but I won’t repeat it here, as I don’t want folk sending him hate mail via me.

Anyway, it occured to me - I had no right to judge the guy. He wasn’t doing anything different to me. The only difference was that I didn’t need my customers to pop their clogs, to make a profit. But we also did fire restoration and some people did die. Even when they didn’t - the thought that they’d came so close made my stomach churn.

I just didn’t like dealing with fires at all. I’d have preferred to educate the victims on the dangers of using chip pans, or doing something incredibly stupid like leaving a hot water bottle on an oven ring which was switched on. But I’d probably have been in big trouble if a customer had gone back to their insurance company and said I’d told them they were stupid. And the trouble was - many of them were.

If You’re Profiting From Misery - Never Employ A Victim

I would have been happy if we’d never had to deal with another fire again. But I didn’t feel the same way about floods. And after really bad flooding in a nearby city, I took a flood victim on as an admin assistant. She was really keen, as she wanted to help folk who found themselves in the same situation as she was. And naively, I thought it would be a great idea.

It was a massive mistake and definitely a turning point for me. She was stressed out since the floods. Her home and all her possessions had been wrecked and she was still living in a rented property. And whenever there was a heavy downpour, it was difficult not to notice the worried look on her face, which was understandable. If her home was flooded again, there’s a good chance it would be demolished.

But while I tried my best to be tactful, it was difficult to disguise my upbeat mood when the heavens opened, or the fact that my homepage was Floodwatch. Although I did try to make sure she never caught me praying for rain.

Eventually, she went off sick with stress and didn’t come back. I wasn’t surprised. It must be difficult to work for a business that profits from other people’s suffering - especially when most of the customers are going through what you went through.

That made me think a lot. We weren’t just dealing with damaged properties and furniture anymore. These were real people who had lost treasured possessions that couldn’t be replaced - like family photos. And some people were actually drowning when there was severe floods, which made the business seem all the more depressing.

So Is It Wrong To Profit From The Misery Of Others?

I would never say profiting from the misery of others is wrong. There will always be a need for the likes of fire and flood restoration companies, undertakers etc. And of course they’re going to expect to make a profit. These types of business aren’t easy. The hours can be unpredictable and most of the time you’re dealing with customers who are under stress.

What I am asking you to consider is how it would make you feel to be in the business of profiting from other people’s hardships. Because you’d be far better off deciding now, than later.

Have you had a business, or worked for a business, which was profiting from the misfortune of others? If so, how did you feel about it? And could you run a business which profited when other people had a disaster?

Image Credit: Ian Britton

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Comments

16 Responses to “Profiting From Misery: Is It Right For You?”

Vered - MomGrind on October 10th, 2008 11:15 pm

To me, a big reason to stop being a divorce attorney was that I was profiting from the misery of others.

Vered - MomGrind’s last blog post..What’s RIGHT With Your Life?
Marelisa on October 11th, 2008 12:01 am

Hi Cath: I don’t think you should frame it as profiting from the misery of others, but as helping people in need. I think people who profit from the misery of others are people like loan sharks and such (giving loans to people who are going through financial hardship and making the interest rate so high they can’t possibly pay it off).

When I worked for the Panama Canal part of my job was to defend the adverse actions imposed by the administration (firing people, suspensions, and so on), but I never wished that someone would get fired. Granted I received my salary regardless of how many adverse actions there were, but even so I really can’t see myself hoping that another person has a catastrophic loss so that I can profit.

Marelisa’s last blog post..Five Amazing Stress-Busting Methods on YouTube
NaTuRaL on October 11th, 2008 1:51 am

hmmm, i don’t know about this: i’m really big on personal responsibility…i would probably first want to know if i’m profiting off their hardship or their stupidity. then i would decide. if i’m not doing anything illegal on my end and your house is for sale and i have the money to buy it because i saved my money or made good decisions, i MIGHT consider it.

it depends.

NaTuRaL’s last blog post..Down In the Dumps: Write this Way
Davina on October 11th, 2008 3:20 am

Hi Cath. This is a tough one. That was quite a story you shared.
I think it depends on your intent and attitude towards the job itself. What would these people in need do if there is no support for them? I have to agree with Marelisa that helping those in need who need your skills and expertise is not really profiting from their misery.

Davina’s last blog post..Thanks, It Means The World To Me
Tracy on October 11th, 2008 4:19 am

When I was an Estate Planning Attorney, I sometimes had to “scare” people into knowing they needed to get their plans in place. I didn’t like working from a fear perspective, however, so I always tried to stress the peace of mind that would come from having this weight lifted off of your shoulders, rather than fear of what will happen if you don’t. I think it somewhat relates to your predicament.

Tracy’s last blog post..Stupid Laws: Australia Wants to Equate Living Together with Marriage
Joanna Young on October 11th, 2008 8:25 am

Thanks for sharing this experience Cath. I think your conclusion is sensible - that you need to work out how this kind of business would affect your own personality. It sounds like you’re happier no longer doing this particular line of business and those are the kind of reflections and changes we all need to make as we grow up.

Joanna Young’s last blog post..What I Learned From Writing Under Stress
Kelly@SHE-POWER on October 11th, 2008 9:45 am

Cath

I don’t think of your business so much as profiting from misery. it kind is, but you’re also offering a valuable service and if you do it with empathy then you’re a great option for people who need that service anyway. Same with funeral directors. People are going to die. There will be floods and fires etc. That’s just life.

Personally I probably couldn’t have one of these businesses because it wouldn’t suit my personality. And I would prefer a business that allowed my optimistic, helpful nature to run free. A bit hard when you’re dealing in major life upheavals. I ahve a cousin who’s a nurse and I admire her greatly, but I could never ever do it. She, on the other hand, says she could never teach, which I was very good at. So I guess it’s wonderful we’re all different.

Kelly

Kelly@SHE-POWER’s last blog post..SHE-POWER Fiction: A Taste of Eve
Evelyn Lim on October 11th, 2008 11:00 am

I think my conscience will continue to bug me if I am not doing work that is meaningful or helps my customers. With no congruence, how can I expect to excel in it? Also, in a lot of cases, it is a matter of reframing. Am I profiting from the misery of others or providing the necessary expertise that meets their needs in a constructive and positive way?

Evelyn Lim’s last blog post..Heroes Of Healing: Neale Donald Walsch
Andrew on October 11th, 2008 12:03 pm

Cath,

I would struggle with such a line of business personally. That said, provided that you provide an effective solution to the crisis, and that you provide a good quality service at an affordable cost, I do not see anything wrong with it.

Perhaps rather than wishing disaster upon others, you could wish that they turn to your business (as opposed to your competition) in times of trouble.

Andrew’s last blog post..Socially Responsible Investing part 9: Does ethical investing compromise investment performance?
Jamie Simmerman on October 11th, 2008 12:31 pm

I think profiting from misery depends greatly on your attitude. If you approach your work everyday thinking that you are providing a valuable service, and treat your customers with respect and empathy, you may be making money, but you are also helping hurting people heal.

Jamie Simmerman’s last blog post..A Second Helping of Wisdom from the Net
Betsy on October 11th, 2008 2:16 pm

Hi Cath - First, you’ve had a run of fabulous posts over the last ten days. I’ve appreciated them all, even if I haven’t commented on each.

I worked for an ambulance chaser almost 30 years ago. This guy marketed himself to bikers - Hell’s Angels, Harley riders, and so forth - because “they get hurt the worst.” He also kept a slew of hospital chaplains on the payroll for referrals out of the emergency room, and we had a Rolodex of cooperative medical “professionals” who would “massage the file.” The biggest payday from a major motorcycle company’s insurer to a woman who had been severely burned into a monstrosity, yet lived. After all was said and done, he went back to her several months later and tried to renegotiate his fees. To 50%. When he stepped out to the men’s room, she looked at me and I shook my head “no” and didn’t say anything. Needless to say, she said she’d like to keep to the original arrangement, thank you very much. I could go on and on about this guy - the tax evasion, the barter arrangements that left defendants who didn’t want to go to trial in servitude, the tailored suits that were charged off as office draperies. It was awful, a fascinating and horrifying train wreck. I stayed way too long in his employ. Finally I came to my senses, left and blew the whistle in a variety of ways.

You just can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. This guy justified his professional activities as noble, getting victims what they deserved. Well, yes, to a point, but he profited handsomely on their pain as well. A wolf was in charge of the sheep. This man drank himself to death. So his conscience killed him in the end, when he wouldn’t listen to it.

We all know what we can live with, within ourselves, and what we’re comfortable calling it. You raise a valuable topic, because we need to know who we are and what we stand for, above all else.

Betsy’s last blog post..BAIL-OUT — YOUR TRAVEL BUDGET AND YOUR LIFE
cathlawson on October 11th, 2008 5:01 pm

Hi Vered - I can understand that. I know so many people who have come out of a divorce with very little because their attorney has dragged things out to make more money themselves. It happened to my husband when he got divorced from his first wife. He wound up with very little.

So he was pleased to see her picture on the front of the local paper the other night. Apparently - she is in deep trouble and has even been banned from practising.

Hi Mare - I can understand where you’re coming from re. re-framing. And that could work for some people but not for me, as I really did hope people would be flooded.

Hi Valerie - that is a good point. I guess if you were buying a house where the owner got into difficulties, asking yourself whether they got into trouble through misfortune, or stupidity would help you make an ethical buying decision.

Hi Rita - isn’t it a fab quote. I was being stalked again, so felt inspired to put it up. It’s nice to hear this from a flood victim’s perspective. And as you pointed out - there’s many real ambulance chasers out there.

You’ve totally lost me with the email. Was it from the old email address, or the new one? Do you mean the bit about the viral book in red writing? That is honestly a really awesome product - it shows you how to make your own viral book and the great thing is, you can read it before you decide to buy.

There’s some awesome tools included to help you make your own viral book on any subject too.

But if it’s something else - let me know.

Hi Davina - I think it really depends on the person who is running the business. As you say, you don’t see that it is profiting from other people’s misery - so it may work for you. But I did feel that I was doing so, which made it less enjoyable for me.

Hi Tracy - a lot of sales and marketing techniques do prey on people’s fears don’t they? I can understand you not doing it that way. Appealing to a positive emotion does seem far nicer.

Hi Joanna - exactly - that is what I was trying to say. Different personalities will have opinions on how they would feel. But making the right decision for you personally, is the key.

Hi Evelyn - that is true - if you are providing a great benefit to your customers, it is far more rewarding.

Hi Andrew - luckily I sold the business, so I don’t need to do that. I can see what you mean - re hoping folk will come to you when they are in trouble - but that alone would not have stopped me from wishing disaster to happen. It may be enough for some people though.

Hi Jamie - I hear what you’re saying - that would work for some people .

Hi Betsy - Thank you. I must admit I’ve not got much reading done this week - I’ll catch up this weekend.

Your ex boss sounds really scummy. Luckily you were able to see that what he was doing didn’t feel right to you.

I like the way you explained what I was trying to say in a few words: “we need to know who we are and what we stand for, above all else.”
Tim Brownson on October 11th, 2008 7:37 pm

When Princess Di shuffled off this mortal coil I owned a record shop. When Elton John released Candle in the Wind the clamor was like nothing on earth. We’d normally order about 100 copies of a huge single like Oasis, but we knew this was going to be much bigger.

So we actually ordered 300 copies and got only got about half on day of release. Even so we sold out in about 2 hours. Some people were buying 10 copies! We HAD to sell the cd’s at cost which meant in reality we were losing money (about 30p per copy). The record company also had a no return, no privilege policy which effectively meant we were stuck with any copies we couldn’t sell.

Meanwhile newspapers and florists were making a bloody fortune from her death. One guy in Watford decided that enough was enough and started selling copies at 4.49 rather than 3.99 to cover his overheads. I can remember the headline in The Sun to this day because it was absolutely brilliant.

“SCANDAL IN THE WIND”

They toasted the poor guy for trying to avoid losing money! The hypocrisy.

To cut a long story short we had 300 copies turn up a week later and by then you couldn’t give them away and we ended up losing about a grand.

What was the question again?
cathlawson on October 13th, 2008 1:55 am

LOL Rita - are you meaning the Kontera plugin in the comments section? It highlights stuff randomly. I’m just testing out for a few days to see how it goes.

Hi Tim - I shouldn’t laugh, as you lost money. But every story you tell cracks me up.

There was a huge wave of mass hysteria going on between Diana’s death and the funeral, then everything seemed to go back to normal - which was bad for you. I’m guessing that means I won’t get much on ebay for my Diana Memorial Concert program then.
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