Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Nathan starts to flip through the pages. “My gut tells me that your biggest clients will be charities, even if you’re not one yourself. That might cap potential profits.”
I never planned to get into this business for the profit.
“Makes sense,” I reply.
Nathan fixes me with a look. “The other thing to do is raise or donate or raise and donate money to enable kids to go on these holidays with other companies. I did a bit of desktop research, and there are other companies around that do this kind of thing. I get you’re passionate about these kids getting an opportunity to do the things other able-bodied kids get to do, but you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. It’s a lot easier to donate some money to charity or even direct to individual families, than it is to set up a business, make sure it’s run well and turn a profit.”
He's right. When I first had the idea, years ago, nothing like Everyone Adventures existed. But now? There are definitely companies that do pretty much the same thing I imagine Everyone Adventures would do.
“You need to ask yourself what Everyone Adventures would do differently. How would it stand out? Would it go to different places? Offer something different or something more expensive or less? If it’s just the same, it’s less compelling. Not just to investors, but to customers.”
I don’t really have anything to say. I’ve been so focused on the idea of getting kids to see the world, the intricacies of running a business were never my focus.
“You could also do both. Hire an assistant or someone with experience in the charity sector and have them research ways you can make your donations as effective as possible. Or have them research families that would particularly benefit. Then you know your money is doing what you want it to do. After you’ve gathered more data, you can decide whether or not it makes sense to set up your own company.”
No wonder Nathan is so successful. I’d like to consider myself fairly clever, but he’s thought of things I haven’t even considered.
“I really like that idea,” I reply. “I’m getting to make a difference immediately and at the same time, gathering data to help any future business I might create.”
“Exactly.”
“You’re clever,” I say, not shocked, but impressed. I knew Nathan was successful, but now I know why.
Nathan laughs. “I know. Now I’ve figured out your life for you, let’s go and get a glass of wine.”
We stand and head out of the study. In many ways, Nathan’s helped me put the puzzle pieces into place. I don’t think I’m at the point where I want to start my own business, even if I was to pay someone else to run it.
I can use my money to help kids see the world. I can start doing it quickly and have an immediate impact. That feels good, but in some ways puts me back to square one. This won’t quench the thirst I have to change something about my life. I’m still at a crossroads; I don’t want to go backward and keep doing what I have been for the last decade, but I can’t see a clear path forward, either.
The question remains: what’s next for me?
TWENTY-SEVEN
Vivian
There are about three cars ahead of us for the red-carpet premier of the latest action movie starring…I can’t quite remember who. But tonight isn’t about the film, it’s about starting the publicity tour for the new album that’s not even completed yet.
“I could have come on my own tonight to take the pressure off,” I say to Beau as I glance out the dark-tinted window.
“There’s no pressure if we don’t let ourselves feel it,” he replies. “Anyway, it will be fun. We’re all prepared and now we get to have our own cinema experience and watch the Reese Witherspoon film without an audience.” He’d surprised me and arranged for a private screening of the new romcom on Netflix that I’d been desperate to see. It’s so thoughtful of him. Caring. Kind. He pats the backpack on the seat beside us. “Your security guy is okay to carry it?” he asks.
“He said so.”
“As soon as we’re inside, he can pass it to me.”
I nod and slide my hand into his. I’ve never skipped out of a movie premiere before. It was the only time Matt and I ever went to the movies, so we’d accepted every invitation we got, no matter the film. I always liked attending because it was a way of going to the movies without all the attention being on me, but looking back, I wonder if Matt enjoyed walking the red carpet. Maybe he even resented walking two steps behind me the whole way down.
The car stops and I wait for the door to open. Beau will get out first, so every picture of me doesn’t have his face at my ass level.