I grin as I wander back toward the counter, reaching absently for the duster. I have a good feeling about Shane and where this could go.
“What are you so happy about?” Myles asks without looking up from his laptop. Sometimes it feels like he’s got a sixth sense.
“Oh, I just got a text from Shane.” I dust along the counter, humming to myself. When Myles doesn’t say anything, I glance back at him, noticing his jaw is tense.
He looks up at me and his expression softens. “That’s… great.”
I fiddle with the duster, remembering our conversation in Bounce last night. It stirs an odd feeling in my chest. “You really don’t like him, do you?”
Myles frowns. “What? I don’t even know him.”
“Exactly. So I’m not sure why this is a problem.”
“It’s not.”
I eye him, wondering whether or not to remind him of last night. Probably best to leave it, I decide, and return to my dusting.
Over the next hour we get another rush of customers, and Myles works in the corner on his stool, occasionally asking people to sign up to our mailing list. I sell a couple more of my designs and I can’t help but feel thrilled each time. Myles was right; they do sell better when I put them somewhere people can easily see them. It makes me more excited for my online store.
When the rush finally dies down, I make some coffee and take a seat at the counter beside Myles, happy to be off my feet for five minutes. It’s good to be busy, but it’s exhausting. It also means that I don’t get to use any time during the day to work on creating new pieces. I’ll have to work tonight to get some more of my own designs out on the rack for tomorrow.
“Can we talk about stuff for the site now?” Myles asks.
“Sure.”
“Okay, let’s start with values. What are your business values?”
I scratch my head. “Um… money?”
He chuckles. “Sure. But that’s the same for all businesses. What is important to your business? What makes your business unique?” When I don’t answer, he tries again. “Okay, how about this. What matters to you?”
“Whatmattersto me?”
“Yeah. This is your business, we’re building it based on your values. What matters to you more than anything?”
“Honesty,” I blurt.
He nods, noting that down.
Before I can stop myself, more words tumble out. “Integrity, trustworthiness, loyalty, reliability—” I pause. I’m not sure if this is what he means, but these are the first things that come to mind.
“I’m sensing a theme here.”
A bitter laugh slips out my mouth. “Yeah, well, when your dad walks out on your family, then your husband cheats on you, then your best friend stabs you in the back… you start to develop trust issues.”
He stops typing, looking up at me. “Shit.” His mouth opens, as if to say more, but he closes it again and fastens his gaze back on the screen.
It’s quiet for a moment. A car horn sounds outside and I stare across the empty store, feeling exposed. Why the hell did I say all that?
“Maybe,” Myles says, clearly trying to be delicate, “something a little more upbeat?”
I give him a wry smile. “What, tales of my abandonment and betrayal aren’t upbeat enough?”
He laughs gently. “Well, let’s think about what sort of feeling we are trying to create with the brand.”
I reach for my mug of coffee. “Okay. I want it to feel fun and playful. You know, like it’s not taking itself too seriously. And sort of nostalgic.” I take a long sip, thinking some more. “Flirty, sexy, feminine.”
“Great, this is good. And what’s your mission? What are you trying to achieve?”
