[PBO]

You're obviously a well balanced person who has the ability to see reason but the reason he gave you "because that was more or less the best he could do" IMO is absolute BS. I believe he took you on because he thought he'd make a great return on his small outlay. When you addressed the issue he rolled over & by default agreed to a higher rate (less hours, same remuneration)

I think you have the outcome you should have had in the first instance & good for you for taking control of the situation but don't fall for the old line "I'm a small struggling business" - he was happy for you to work every hour you did & he wasn't going to suggest otherwise. He would have charged as many of your hours as he possibly could

It's important to stand up for yourself