Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
When we entered a small office, Andrew offered me a seat and took his place behind the desk. He started asking questions right away, and I sheepishly told him I didn’t have my resume.
“I swear I’m not usually so unprepared. When Ryan told me you’d called—”
“Is this your secretary?” He had a wicked grin that sent chills down my spine. Despite his intimidating demeanor, I didn’t feel like he was trying to make me feel uncomfortable.
“No, I’m sorry.”
“The friend, then,” he offered. “The one with your phone?”
I glanced at my fingers in my lap and flicked off a white speck from my pants. “Yes. Wait, how do you remember that?” I met his gaze again.
He chuckled. “I have a great memory. If I recall correctly, you didn’t call him a friend, but now I know he’s just a friend.”
“So about the resume . . .”
“Here’s my email.” He slid a card to me, similar to the one he’d given me at the restaurant. But this one was laminated as if he had always kept it at his desk.
I memorized his email address real fast, then forwarded the resume. He watched his computer until it pulled up and remained silent for a while, leaning back in his seat while he read. When he nodded, I felt hopeful but waited patiently for his sharp green gaze to capture mine again.
“You’ll notice I’m not one for . . . orthodox interviews. I work on instinct when it comes to the hiring process, and I think you have what I need for our next venture.”
“What is this next venture? I’m afraid you didn’t specify when we first talked.”
He leaned forward, his eyes glistening with excitement. “And that’s one thing I am eager to talk about. But first, let’s talk about the boring stuff. We usually pay our consultants a retainer and will not be undervalued because of your lack of years in experience as long as it does not reflect in your contributions, which judging by your lecture, I’d like to say we don’t have anything to worry about there.”
“I would, too. I’m glad you brought up my experience because—”
“So I’d like to start you off with this number if it works for you.”
I started to ask what the number was when I realized he was writing. Were there recording devices in here or something? I didn’t understand the point in him writing it down, but that concern dissipated quickly when I saw the amount he had in mind. “This . . . Yes, this is enough,” I said carefully, avoiding words like more than and too much. I’d almost used them both.
He smiled. “Great! I attended your session because we specialize in software development, but with this new direction for Mayhew Industries, we want to provide more than just personalized software. We want to turn it into a consumer product.”
“How so?”
Andrew proceeded to tell me about what software Mayhew Industries developed and how diverse their clientele was, but he wanted to narrow his clientele with this product to those working specifically in growing industries that had not yet reached a global scale.
“Like cannabis,” I offered, thinking again of SunStone.
“Exactly. I want you to help us identify the areas where industries such as that need the most help on a digital scale. If we can create the product they don’t have yet, when they do reach a global scale, we already have the clientele to provide the services we offer now.”
“Okay, I understand. It’ll take a lot of research, but I assume you have a few plans in place?”
He nodded. “I know I’ve been vague, but I’m glad you’re at least present. You seem to understand what I’m getting at. If you come aboard, we have a team of consultants you’ll be working with, and I’m confident you’ll fit in wonderfully.”
This was an amazing opportunity, and my head spun with the avenues it could create for other businesses that were minorities in their own industry. “I would love to help you with your vision,” I said without much thought.
“And we’d love to have you. So is that a yes?” He held out his hand, then pulled it back quickly. “You can take time to think about it—don’t feel pressured. I knew you were only here for a short time and didn’t want to risk losing you to someone else.”
I never expected to be a commodity, not that anyone else was waiting in line. Part of me wanted to wait it out a day and think on it, to let my mind clear enough that I could line everything up properly. But if I waited too long, I could lose my chance. I was a rookie, after all, and maybe Andrew’s influence only went so far.
“I would love to join your team,” I said, my heart thumping wildly.