we have an interest in moving forward with them, but that we need to confirm the numbers.”
“Will she be okay with that?”
“We’re the only people she’s talking to.”
“You mean we’re the only ones left,” May said.
“True enough, but she was honest about that, and she has told me more than once that finding the right partners is almost as important as getting the money. And they did turn down two offers, half-hearted or not, so they’re not entirely desperate.”
“That doesn’t mean she’ll have the patience to wait,” Ava said.
“There’s another question I have,” May said. “Assuming we decide to do this, is Gillian up to managing it? I have no worries about the design and production side, but this thing could succeed or fail based on how well they market. This isn’t a private label, where the goods you’re making are presold.”
“I thought that either Chi-Tze or I could assume an active role. Being completely objective, I have to say that Chi-Tze has tremendous credentials.”
May smiled. “It’s certainly sexier than running a trucking or furniture business.”
“It’s also potentially far more profitable.”
“I know. I was partly joking,” May said. She turned to Ava. “What do think? Are you prepared to risk a large portion of our capital on Clark Po? Are you prepared to jump into a start-up when we said we wouldn’t?”
“I’ve always assumed there would be risk in whatever we did, and this is a case where the rewards might just justify it. But we do need to get a rough idea of how much money will actually be needed. I agree with Amanda that we need to bring someone like Chi-Tze into the picture, someone who has a better understanding of this kind of business than we do.”
“Do you want to call her?” May said to Amanda.
“I’d love to.”
“Then do it as soon as you can, and if she’s agreeable, get her here as fast you can.”
“She will agree.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. And she could get a flight into Shanghai early tomorrow morning.”
“So you’ve already spoken to her.”
“I called her this morning before we met for breakfast.”
“Are we that predictable?”
“No, I just asked her to be on standby in case she was needed,” Amanda said. “I’ll email her Gillian’s plans as soon as I get back to the hotel, so she can arrive at least partially briefed.”
“Amanda, I like initiative, but don’t always anticipate I’ll go along with you,” May said, and then looked out the window as the Huangpu River came into view. “In some ways Gillian’s proposal is exactly why I wanted to get into this business. I just wanted to wait until we had our feet firmly on the ground. Nuts-and-bolts businesses may be predictable and deadly boring, but they pay a lot of bills without a lot of stress. I’m not saying that I won’t go into something that provides some excitement, but we need to establish parameters. My appetite for financial risk is not unlimited.”
“I agree —” Ava began, and then stopped as her words were overtaken by a yawn.
“Jet lag?” Amanda said.
“Afraid so.”
“Are you going to be okay for dinner with Xu?” May said.
“I should be able to stay awake that long.”
“And Amanda, you’ll work with Chi-Tze tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Before you do, I think you should call Gillian,” Ava said. “We told her we would get back to her tomorrow. I don’t like the idea of her spending the evening wondering what we’re going to do and then have to call her to say we’re bringing in Chi-Tze to look at the numbers.”
“I think you’re being a bit too sensitive,” May said. “We said we would get back to her, and in my mind that isn’t necessarily with a decision. Gillian can’t think she can make us a business proposal and then expect instant action.”
“I suspect it’s Clark who has the expectations,” Ava said. “Gillian is simply trying to fulfill them.”
Traffic was light and the
“Will she be okay with that?”
“We’re the only people she’s talking to.”
“You mean we’re the only ones left,” May said.
“True enough, but she was honest about that, and she has told me more than once that finding the right partners is almost as important as getting the money. And they did turn down two offers, half-hearted or not, so they’re not entirely desperate.”
“That doesn’t mean she’ll have the patience to wait,” Ava said.
“There’s another question I have,” May said. “Assuming we decide to do this, is Gillian up to managing it? I have no worries about the design and production side, but this thing could succeed or fail based on how well they market. This isn’t a private label, where the goods you’re making are presold.”
“I thought that either Chi-Tze or I could assume an active role. Being completely objective, I have to say that Chi-Tze has tremendous credentials.”
May smiled. “It’s certainly sexier than running a trucking or furniture business.”
“It’s also potentially far more profitable.”
“I know. I was partly joking,” May said. She turned to Ava. “What do think? Are you prepared to risk a large portion of our capital on Clark Po? Are you prepared to jump into a start-up when we said we wouldn’t?”
“I’ve always assumed there would be risk in whatever we did, and this is a case where the rewards might just justify it. But we do need to get a rough idea of how much money will actually be needed. I agree with Amanda that we need to bring someone like Chi-Tze into the picture, someone who has a better understanding of this kind of business than we do.”
“Do you want to call her?” May said to Amanda.
“I’d love to.”
“Then do it as soon as you can, and if she’s agreeable, get her here as fast you can.”
“She will agree.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. And she could get a flight into Shanghai early tomorrow morning.”
“So you’ve already spoken to her.”
“I called her this morning before we met for breakfast.”
“Are we that predictable?”
“No, I just asked her to be on standby in case she was needed,” Amanda said. “I’ll email her Gillian’s plans as soon as I get back to the hotel, so she can arrive at least partially briefed.”
“Amanda, I like initiative, but don’t always anticipate I’ll go along with you,” May said, and then looked out the window as the Huangpu River came into view. “In some ways Gillian’s proposal is exactly why I wanted to get into this business. I just wanted to wait until we had our feet firmly on the ground. Nuts-and-bolts businesses may be predictable and deadly boring, but they pay a lot of bills without a lot of stress. I’m not saying that I won’t go into something that provides some excitement, but we need to establish parameters. My appetite for financial risk is not unlimited.”
“I agree —” Ava began, and then stopped as her words were overtaken by a yawn.
“Jet lag?” Amanda said.
“Afraid so.”
“Are you going to be okay for dinner with Xu?” May said.
“I should be able to stay awake that long.”
“And Amanda, you’ll work with Chi-Tze tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Before you do, I think you should call Gillian,” Ava said. “We told her we would get back to her tomorrow. I don’t like the idea of her spending the evening wondering what we’re going to do and then have to call her to say we’re bringing in Chi-Tze to look at the numbers.”
“I think you’re being a bit too sensitive,” May said. “We said we would get back to her, and in my mind that isn’t necessarily with a decision. Gillian can’t think she can make us a business proposal and then expect instant action.”
“I suspect it’s Clark who has the expectations,” Ava said. “Gillian is simply trying to fulfill them.”
Traffic was light and the
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