When relationships with clients cross into friendships, the challenges are many, but the rewards are phenomenal.		November 1, 2004 American Salon
	Justine Bateman and I have been friends for almost 20 years. We met in the 80s at a cover shoot; we had to drive to the desert two hours outside of L.A., and she asked me to ride along with her. We really bonded on that trip, and while we don't see each other as often as we used to, when we do, we pick up where we left off. Over the years I've taken great pleasure in watching Justine mature as a woman. She practically grew up on the sitcom Family Ties, and when it ended, she did a lot of theater. Then she took a break from acting completely and became a knitwear designer, where she was a one-woman show, from design to production to marketing. She married someone from high school and had a couple of kids. In addition to being a busy wife and mother, this summer she returned to TV in the Hallmark Channel's The Hollywood Mom's Mystery. By trying other things after her TV series ended, Justine had the unique opportunity to choose between being famous or infamous. She became a smart, spiritual, grounded person who has a really good understanding of herself and Hollywood and has been able to keep it all in perspective. We have choices to make, and in my opinion, Justine made really good ones. That's why it was so great to see her come back to TV and be well received, and to do it on her own terms. We all go through phases when we don't see people as often as we used to. Clients come and go, and when you have a relationship that bridges the years and crosses the line into friendship, like mine and Justine's, you have to really work hard to protect both the personal and professional dynamic. As professionals, we're in a unique position to hear very personal things from our clients, and it's not our job to judge. It only matters that we listen, be unconditionally supportive and learn when to let go. We have to give our clients space to grow and to change, to sometimes choose not to work with us, to maybe try something else altogether. Remember, there's nothing wrong with taking a break even from those we love, but we have to be secure enough to welcome them back into our lives when the time is right. In our business, there's a fine line between clients and friends, a line some think shouldn't be crossed. Over the years I've met some amazing women, and when I made the decision to cross that line, it was because I was willing to possibly sacrifice them as clients to have them as friends. It's a huge decision, one you'll have to consider very carefully when you're in the same situation. But the benefits of these incredible relationships are gigantic, and the older I get, the more I realize how irreplaceable they are. I get a kick out of telling anyone who'll listen to me (even though I sound really Jurassic sometimes) how long Justine and I have known each other. I'm so lucky to have her as a client, but I'm truly blessed to have her as a friend.		Billy’s friendship with Justine Bateman has withstood the test of time.