it was worth. They needed our help in expanding like they wanted, and it was my job to take over and relay this information to them.
“I appreciate that more than you know,” I said to both women. “While it may feel as though Mitchell and Associates are buying you out, I want to assure you that is not the case. In being up front, it is my job to ensure you know that we will be taking some proceeds after investing in the Chic Gals clothing line. With that said, you need to understand that we will also be assuming the risk and full liability as well.” They looked at me skeptically, most likely for sounding like a dick. “Hear me out,” I said with a smile. I used the keyboard to pull up their numbers onto the screen at the front of the room. “Those numbers you’re seeing on the screen will not put you in front of the clients you’re aiming for. My company has a greater potential to do so. We are also willing to use our investors to help you place your line of work in higher-priced areas to gather the clients who desire to pay over a hundred dollars for a shirt. We work in this area more than you know.” Now was the time to turn into the dick, but only to allow them to understand the value in their own company. “Both of you, Christine and Gabby, would not be in this room if we didn’t believe your company was worth our time, our investors’ time, or my time alone. If Mitchell and Associates believed your company would fail our idea for opportunity and growth, we would not have extended the invitation to meet with you.” I pointed back up to the screen. “Those numbers aren’t anywhere near what a business like yours should be. In my personal opinion, those numbers should be double to triple of what I’m seeing on that screen. I believe you both understand that, yes?”
“Yes,” they both answered.
“Yes,” I repeated. “Your business deserves to return you both hundreds of thousands in at least one quarter, as we have already projected. In order for this growth, and for it to happen rapidly for you? It will only happen when we involve our investors, our sales teams, our marketing teams, and so on. You both saw how those teams would be working not just for my company, but mainly and exclusively for yours, yes?”
“Yes.” Christine’s features softened more.
“Yeah.” Gabby sighed.
Okay, Gabby wasn’t entirely with us yet. “Very well. I would like to ask you both if you believe you’re willing to take this risk and go into marketing on your own, search for investors on your own, et cetera? Allow me to warn you, if chose you do this, it could cost you millions if you chose the wrong people. We have dealt with multiple clients who have sought us out after almost being bankrupted by falling into this trap. I’d personally hate to see this happen to either one of you. I believe your business should get off on the right foot with a company that uses investors who don’t toy with their clients—a company that has your business’s best interest at heart. I would assume you would believe the entire nation—to start—is missing out on your fashion line, yes?”
“Yes.” Gabby smiled this time.
A solid yes from Christine, and I knew we were back in the game. I looked at Alex, who nodded in gratitude. The dumbass owed me a bottle of my favorite bourbon for saving his client.
“Then allow Mitchell and Associates to do the hard work for you and you can focus on your creative skill. We will have the clothing line pushed out to the entire nation, your brand buzzing across headlines, and a client base that you deserve.”
My phone buzzed, but I ignored it while Alex stepped in from where I got the yes mentality going with these young and enthusiastic women.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Fucking hell. I pulled the device out of my pocket and glanced at it from hiding it underneath the table. Avery. Shit.
I knew Alex could handle the rest from here, and I was more concerned about why Avery was blowing my phone up. I hadn’t heard from her since the McDonald’s date, so I had no idea what to expect, but the urgency with which she was calling my phone didn’t make me feel at ease.
“My apologies, but you’ll have to