In a world where entrepreneurs often juggle too many hats, and sometimes too many clients, Jennifer Delano, the founder of PRGoeroes, brings a refreshing message: your business deserves better clients.
Recently, Jennifer joined Prosper Taruvinga on The Online Prosperity Show to discuss her new book, Clean Up Your Client List. The conversation wasn’t just about PR – it was about reclaiming your time, energy, and confidence as a business owner.
From PRGoeroes to Boundary Builder
Jennifer has spent over 20 years helping entrepreneurs gain visibility, attract attention, and stand in their spotlight. But through that journey, she realized that success isn’t only about attracting clients, it’s about attracting the right clients.
As she shared on the show:
“Not everyone who wants to work with you is someone you should work with.”
This insight inspired her to write Clean Up Your Client List, a practical and sometimes brutally honest guide for entrepreneurs who are ready to draw the line and build businesses that fuel their mission, not their burnout.
The Seven Types of Clients to Avoid
In her book, Jennifer outlines seven kinds of clients that every entrepreneur should recognize, and if necessary, release. Among them:
- The Scammer. They never intend to pay, and your best defense is to stop working for free.
- The Dummy. Indecisive and endlessly “thinking about it.” You’ll waste hours and never see an invoice signed.
- The Creep. The one who crosses professional lines and makes the workplace unsafe.
- The Whiner, the Freeloader, the Drifter, and the Permanently Dissatisfied Client. All energy-drainers who rob you of time and joy.
Jennifer explains that saying yes to bad clients is often rooted in financial fear. We take them on because we need the money. But she urges entrepreneurs to prepare differently:
“Save before you start your business, so you have the freedom to say no.”
Learning to Say “No” and Mean It
Jennifer’s experiences prove that even seasoned professionals encounter client nightmares. She shared one shocking example. A charming, seemingly legitimate prospect who turned out to be one of the biggest scammers in the Netherlands.
Her takeaway? Always vet potential clients. Google them. Invoice quickly. Ask for deposits. And if they don’t pay: stop working immediately.
“A non-paying client is not a client,” she says. “It’s a charity case.”
Boundaries aren’t about arrogance; they’re about respect for your time, your craft, and your energy.
Knowing Yourself Is Key
Interestingly, Jennifer connects client alignment with self-awareness. She encourages entrepreneurs to use personality assessments like the DISC test to understand communication styles and potential fit.
“The better you know yourself, the better you know what kind of clients fit you.”
For Jennifer, that self-knowledge has shaped not only her PR practice but also her leadership style. She admits she still experiences doubt or nerves before big conversations, but embraces them as part of being human and honest in business.
When to Walk Away
So what should you do if you’re currently stuck with a “client from hell”?
Jennifer’s advice is simple yet empowering:
“You’re always allowed to give the assignment back. You can quit. You can always find another way.”
She reminds entrepreneurs that they started their businesses for freedom, and that freedom includes the power to say no.
Doing PR With Purpose
As the founder of PRGoeroes, Jennifer now focuses on helping businesses that deserve the spotlight: those that know who they are, have solid marketing foundations, and are ready to scale their visibility ethically and authentically.
She also takes a moral stance on who she chooses to promote. She declines projects that don’t align with her values, such as gambling or adult industries, explaining:
“I make businesses bigger, and not every business is worth making bigger.”
A Book That Crosses Borders
Clean Up Your Client List is now available in Dutch, German, and English, reflecting Jennifer’s growing international influence. The Dutch version became a #1 management bestseller, and the German edition followed suit under a local publisher. The English edition, self-published with a global team, marks her most ambitious release yet.
She describes the process as “bringing a new baby into the world”: updated, refined, and ready to empower entrepreneurs everywhere to reclaim their joy and professionalism.
Final Thoughts: Do Business With Joy
Jennifer leaves readers with one final reminder:
“Take yourself seriously. Do something about it. Business should be profitable and fun.”
If your business feels heavy, chaotic, or draining, it may be time to clean up your client list and rediscover the freedom that made you start in the first place.
Clean Up Your Client List by Jennifer Delano
Available now on Amazon in print, ebook, and audiobook formats.
Listen to The Episode: 7 Toxic Client Types That Kill Your Business
