As of the mid-week internal call on 2026-02-18, Crazy Lenny's retainer has already been cut from $5,000/month to $2,500/month. Mark indicated the reduction is unlikely to reverse given the client's sustained business difficulties. The client has been losing money for over a year and has had to make cuts of their own.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Previous retainer | $5,000/month |
| Current retainer | $2,500/month |
| Trajectory | Flat or declining |
| Risk level | Moderate — retainer reduction already taken; further cuts or churn possible |
Mark noted that Crazy Lenny's business performance has been poor for more than a year. The retainer reduction was a direct result of the client's own financial constraints, not a service issue. Mark has a personal relationship with the client and has been told directly that the business has been losing money.
There is no expectation that the retainer will return to $5k/month. The account is being carried at the reduced rate for now, but it contributes to the broader revenue pressure Asymmetric is managing following the loss of multiple clients in early 2026.
This update was discussed alongside a broader financial review that included the Egan client-poaching situation and retainer risk across several accounts. See [1] for full meeting notes.
Other accounts flagged in the same conversation with similar downward pressure:
- [2] — expected to reduce to ~$1k/month
- [3] — at risk due to Egan poaching activity