Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!
So today I talked to the trust administrator. I told him that I wanted to be an investor in Sabby’s business.
He didn’t say no. But boy, did he not say yes, either.
He takes his job very seriously, I mean very seriously. And that’s good! I mean, it’s not his money, it’s my money, and his job is to make sure I don’t spend it stupidly. He said he’d need to see a business plan and talk to some underwriters and meet Sabby and all sorts of other fun stuff. But he said if it all checked out and I understand the risks he’d give it the green light. He also said that it very likely would not all check out and she’d better have a killer business plan because he’s inclined to say no.
Fair enough.
So I talked to Sabby. I told her I wanted to invest a sizable amount into her business.
Her first reaction was “hell no”! She kind of went Claire Huxtable on me. But this time I told her to sit down and shut up and let me talk first. She was…. shocked enough that she did just that. I told her that she told me not to give away money and that I understood and that I was not giving away money. I told her that I wanted a (not small) share of her company and that I was not going to be a silent partner. I told her that I love her and I love her cookies and that I want to see her succeed, and everyone else loves her cookies too and I know a good thing when I see it. I said that I know I’m sixteen and that I wasn’t going to throw my weight around or anything like that, and that I have a lot to learn, but my trust administrators know people and I think we can make this work.
When I stopped talking, I was a little worried, but she didn’t speak for a while. All sorts of emotions were warring on her face – anger, thoughtfulness, concern – then she finally spoke.
“How much do you want to invest?”
“A hundred grand.”
“A… what?”
“A hundred grand. That should be enough to get started, at least – or at least a very good start, and you’ve already got a customer. The owner where I work is chomping at the bit to be able to sell your cookies, and he’s got several locations. And if you can get similar financing, that’s 200 grand or more, and should be plenty to lease a storefront and get cracking. Don’t you think?”
“I don’t really like it,” she said. “You could lose everything.”
“So could you,” I said. “I know you’re not rich, but Dave’s got a successful business and knows people. Your cookies sell themselves, Sabby! All you have to do is let them taste your cookies and they’re hooked.”
Sabby sighed.
“Give me your business plan and a tin of cookies,” I said. “I’ll send them to my trust administrator. He gets to decide, and he’s more business savvy than I am. If he says yes, it’s not just me, and he already said he was inclined to say no but he’ll give you a fair shake. Just… let me try.” I grinned. “He hasn’t tasted your cookies.”
Sabby grumbled something about impertinent teenagers with too much money.
“I’ll call my lawyer,” she said, “And we’ll draw up incorporation papers. We’ll need an LLC set up to have a place to put whatever money anyway, and I’ve been procrastinating. I’ll have a business plan in a week or two.” She grinned. “Want to be CEO, COO, or…?”
I laughed. “How about… we don’t worry about titles? You can be the Chief Sabby and I’ll be the Chief Lily?”
“First lesson, Lily. A corporation needs officers. There has to be a Chairman, a CEO, a COO, and a treasurer. Quite honestly, having you onboard might tank any chance of institutional financing, but you’re right about Dave, he’s got contacts and I didn’t think about that. I’ll ask him who he knows that might be interested in investing.”
“Have you thought of a name?”
“I was thinking Sabby’s Cookies.”
I giggled. “Let’s think on that.”
“What, you don’t like Sabby’s Cookies?”
“We need a name that shows how good they are!!! Sabby’s Heavenly Goodies?”
She sighed. “I hate it when you’re right. Maybe not that, but it’s better than mine. We’ll talk to the lawyer soon. I have cookies to bake.”
I giggled. Sabby thought I was a good investment two years ago. Now, it’s time to return the favor.