Did she want to intertwine their lives like that?
That was the most ridiculous question she’d ever asked herself.Of course she did.All the same, she nodded.“My exclusive event planning services featuring your catering, with right of first refusal based on your schedule.”
“And also,” he said with a laugh, “we’ve just gotten the final part for my business plan proposal.”
“The theory,” she said.“But yes.”
Which, as far as she could tell, was the easiest question she’d ever answered.A celebratory kiss followed as they headed upstairs to her apartment, easy to access off of the expressway, dropped their stuff off at the kitchen table, and their clothing followed on the way to the bedroom.
Chapter Twenty
Are we talking Knishes or Cannoli’s?
Greenblatt family meeting
Debrief (J): How to use the information you gained from entrepreneurs, artisans, small business owners and moguls, to create a tangible business plan that reflects the career you want?And how do you demonstrate that career stands in line with the goals of your mogul relatives who still live in a bygone era?
Thursday, May 8th
The theory ofpulling together a business plan was easy.The practice was impossible, especially after he’d found a bunch of different websites, including three business schools that outlined the necessary documents.
And all of them were way too detailed for his needs.Or his desires, for that point.Andhe was starting to get frustrated.
“This is ridiculous,” he said.“I’m not giving them all of this stuff.Absolutely not.”
“I don’t think you need to,” Naomi said, looking gorgeous, hair wet, eyes wide as she leaned over his shoulder, probably so that she could get a better look at the screen.“I don’t think they’re looking for finances; I don’t think they doubt your ability to do things.”
“That’s true,” he said as he took a drink from his coffee mug.“They doubt my ability to have a positive business experience that will make them, and my brother, look good.”
Her snort was perfect, as was the rest of her.
“There’s coffee,” he said.
“Thank you,” she replied.“But that can wait because you need help.”
He nodded.“That I do.So, what of—” he gestured toward the screen “—this nonsense do I actually need to put together?”
“Summaries of what you’re planning to do and how, for starters,” she replied, guiding his fingers toward the right place in the outline on the screen.“These.”
He nodded.“What else?”
She brushed her fingers a bit lower.“Maybe something about the services you’re offering, based on your experiences and references.”
Now he was starting to get the benefits of using a format like this.“Right.Because my private cheffing really does perpetuate itself based on the various events I’ve done and the people I’ve worked with.Absolutely.”
He watched her as she looked at the information the screen, tapping her finger as if she could pull a question out of the ether on her own.“One of the other things they’re looking for is a reputation.Have you been invited to discuss returning to work with or for any of the people or the events you’ve done?Any of the stops on your trip reach out?”
A mouthful of a series of questions required a bit of mind-blowing information that he wasn’t even processing.“If I say all of them, including Katie Feldman’s charity program, what would you say?”
“I’d say,” she said as she leaned toward him, kissing him on the cheek, “that’s amazing but also you have to include that information.”
He blinked.“Repeat clientele?Repeat offers?Either?Both?”
“It’s not something that you have to choose between,” she replied, standing and stretching.“What you’re looking for is not only the opportunity to sell your services, but also the ability to demonstrate the kind of reputation you have.Showing both is the key.”
“That’s right,” he managed.“Because this business plan is becoming my résumé.”
She laughed, rubbed his hair just a little bit.“Considering the services you’re selling are going to be your own, this isn’t surprising in the least.”
