I glance at my own laptop and remind myself I have documents to read before we get to Atlanta.To work out what we do with the Chicago building now it’s clear that store is a dead duck.Obviously not an official business term, but my god, the moment we walked into the premises, it was clear as day.
The books were dusty, and the store itself was lacking any vibrancy.Even the employees looked as if they would prefer to be poking their own eyes out.
Robin and I walked down the road at one point, popping into BooksNow, the major competitor.It was thriving.The checkouts pumping.Bright colors throughout the store, and sales of e-readers and bookish things absolutely booming.
Things I am learning rapidly about.
Open Leaf hasn’t invested in or adapted to the changing book industry.I didn’t see any marketing around book boyfriends, thirst traps, or men kidnapping their heroines.
Creepy, yet I can see the appeal.
There was not an e-reader in sight, not one mention of TikTok or Instagram.It appears the company has been focused predominantly on stocking traditionally published books.
Big mistake.
Independent books are thriving, and our market research shows this is where readers are putting their money.They love the fast releases instead of having to wait years for the next book, the creative covers, multiple versions, and engagement with the authors online.
That makes sense to me.
A thriving business moves fast with the changing landscape.Open Leaf hasn’t done that.It’s old and stuck in the traditional way of doing things.
Again...big mistake.
I’m not blaming Gemma.These changes should have happened a few years ago.My reports show that the grieving widow was spending her time trying to keep things afloat—there wasn’t the budget to pivot and experiment.
Anthony Ford knew all this but spent his money on outside investments—or something!—instead of Open Leaf.Instead of moving with the industry changes.
Why?
The Chicago store has been impacted the most due to the close proximity of BooksNow, which opened almost two years ago.Customers flock there instead, and I don’t blame them.
The hard part of this is that Gemma knows this.With her marketing degree, I know she’s aware of the issues.It’s why she got upset with me recently.She knows it’s salvageable and thinks that is what I’m going to do.
Hire a fancy marketer, add in a big fluffy budget, and compete.
No.
That’s not my plan.
Which is why I’m trying my hardest to keep a distance from this beautiful woman.She is emotionally attached to the company, and it’s going to upset her when she finds out our plans.
Sleeping with her was a stupid move; even I can acknowledge that.
Honestly, given what my friends have been through recently, you’d think I would’ve second guessed myself.
I didn’t.
My cock was in charge—my second brain.
As tough-skinned as my successful friends are, I know I’m even less emotional than them.Less...susceptible, let’s say.
Losing my mom after Jack died hit me with two blows of grief.I’d already agreed with the vow that I and the boys made, that true love was the only thing that would drive me to commit to a woman.
But I don’t know, losing Mom, seeing Dad fall apart (he did pull himself back together again, obviously remarrying a few years later) it reminded me how weak it makes a person to love.
And I don’t do weak.
Perhaps if Mom was still alive, she’d tell me to soften my heart and let love in.But she’s not here, and I’ve had much more success in business.
