The whole "partnership" pitch thing is everywhere now, not just at meetups (my neighbor almost signed one for a juice bar, of all things). People hear the word partner and their brain just skips the part where money leaves their pocket first. It's the same move as the fake job listings, the "you've been selected" texts, the guy at the gym selling a course. The pitch always sounds personal and exciting, and the fine print is always boring and bad. Four honest words from a stranger can do more than a whole seminar, honestly.