

Might be too late for you now, but for everyone else reading, involve your state employment commission! I got all my back pay from an abusive restaurant owner (like a million years ago, apologies if these no longer exist or are just too dysfunctional to do anything anymore).
I was in high school, working like 50-60 hour weeks, and this lady thought it was fine to pay regular rates past 40. I sure didn’t! State employment commission didn’t either. Stole some water bottles full of Grey Goose on my way out, lol, then collected a cool few very well-earned buckaroos some months later.
Restaurant folded in a year. Turns out it was basically a gift from her successful husband anyway, lady was outrageous. As in, fuckin employees in the walk-in and stealing money from high school kids outrageous lol
Aaaaand just realized I’m old. I’m apparently the kinda guy who just tells stories about strangers to no one, from 20+ years ago, for no reason.
Feel like DMing a bit? I’m in a similar boat, but not as far along. I’ve got what I believe is a viable idea with a niche but common market, I’m largely familiar with the tech involved (having built something similar before), and even the costs. Currently working on a POC before trying to conduct actual market research interviews (I realize most folks consider that backwards and are probably right).