Why I Charge People to Get Coffee With Me

When you ask to pick someone’s brain, you’re basically asking for free consulting services

Photo: Stuart Freedman/In Pictures/Getty

Recently, a startup founder cold-emailed me with a request: Would I mind taking a look at a beta version of his product, and then take a call to share my thoughts? I was an expert in his sector, he explained, and he’d love to use my insight to…