C7 Investing On A New Business Idea

Alex had no intention of becoming a content creator himself. While he understood what made certain influencers successful, he also recognized the difficulty of sustaining popularity. Many internet sensations rose to fame overnight, only to fade into obscurity just as quickly.

Instead, Alex's plan was clear: he would establish an influencer management agency. Armed with his knowledge of future trends, he would identify promising talents before they became viral sensations and sign them to his agency. By leveraging their potential early, Alex could ensure their success—and his profits.

This business would also provide Alex with something he valued beyond wealth: social standing. In his previous life, he had realized that money alone wasn't enough; influence and reputation were equally important.

Alex recalled his own failed attempts at TikTok stardom with Amelia in their past life. Back then, they had poured their energy into creating content, only for their efforts to go unnoticed. This time, he would approach the industry strategically, not emotionally.

Starting an influencer agency wouldn't be easy. Alex lacked experience in this field, so his first step would be hiring a manager with a background in talent management or influencer agencies. He wanted someone who could handle the day-to-day operations while he focused on the big picture.

With his memories of the next four years, Alex was confident he could help his signed influencers go viral ahead of schedule. He could already picture the rise of some of TikTok's future top creators, many of whom he had followed in his previous life.

This was just the beginning. Alex's journey was far from over, and he was determined to make the most of every opportunity the future held.

Over the next week, Alex focused most of his energy on researching influencer management agencies. With TikTok's meteoric rise, many small agencies began shifting to the platform, such as the future powerhouses Bright Era Media, Goddess Vibes, and Limitless Productions, which would eventually boast rosters of high-profile influencers.

At this point, live shopping hadn't taken off yet. Most influencers monetized their content through gifts, sponsorship deals, and ad revenue. It wasn't until November 2018's Black Friday that live shopping exploded, shaking up the entire e-commerce industry. (Note: For the sake of the story, the timeline has been adjusted slightly to suit the plot.)

This meant Alex still had a window of opportunity. If he could sign emerging talent and establish a live shopping initiative ahead of the curve, the potential returns could be staggering. Over the next few years, live shopping would prove to be a game-changer, disrupting traditional e-commerce giants.

"Plenty of time to strategize," Alex muttered as he stretched in his chair.

It was December 29, a Friday, and the three-day New Year's weekend was just around the corner.

Amelia had already submitted her resignation letter but wouldn't officially leave her job until mid-January. She didn't want to forgo her remaining month's salary, even though they didn't financially need it anymore.

Last weekend, Alex and Amelia finalized the purchase of their second property at Shoreline Heights Residences in Seattle. Thanks to Amelia's negotiation skills, they managed to shave off $3,000 from the asking price.

After settling the payment, Alex still had $1.5 million in cash. He also insisted on sending Amelia's mother $5,000 to "help" her brother buy a car. Officially, it was a loan, but Alex knew it was unlikely ever to be repaid. He didn't mind. Keeping peace in the family mattered more, and he didn't want Amelia to feel caught in the middle.

Alex also sent $5,000 to his own parents. Years ago, when he and Amelia had scraped together enough for their first down payment, his father had secretly contributed $3,000 from his savings as a construction worker. Knowing how his older sister-in-law always kept an eagle eye on the family's finances, Alex sent the money discreetly to avoid unnecessary drama.

Alex held deep respect for his older brother, Dawsen, who had single-handedly supported the family when their father fell gravely ill. Dawsen had even worked extra jobs to fund Alex's college tuition. Yet, Alex chose not to involve Dawsen in his Bitcoin investments. He knew his brother had struggled with gambling in the past, and the last thing he wanted was to tempt him into another high-risk venture.

Just then, Alex's phone buzzed. It was an unfamiliar number, but a smile crept across his face as he answered.

"Hello, is this Mr. Alexander?" The voice on the other end sounded tired but professional.

"Yes, speaking," Alex replied.

"This is Donald Glovy from Rising Guild, the management agency. I heard you're interested in acquiring our agency. Is that true?"

Alex chuckled. "Absolutely. I'd love to discuss this further. Would you be open to meeting in person?"

Rising Guild wasn't well-known yet. It was a small, struggling agency with only a handful of creators signed under its banner. However, within three years, it would grow into a powerhouse, managing tens of thousands of creators and several top-tier influencers.

Right now, though, Rising Guild was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Formed by a group of disgruntled streamers who had left larger agencies, it was built on the ideals of independence and fairness. Against all odds, it would one day dominate the industry.

But Alex wasn't just buying the agency; he was investing in Donald, the agency's co-founder. Donald's expertise in influencer management was unparalleled. Many of Rising Guild's future stars owed their success to his keen strategies.

Take, for example, the food and travel influencer Jordan Brooks. In a few years, Brooks would amass millions of followers across multiple platforms. But in 2017, his videos were casual and lacked direction, filmed with shaky angles and inconsistent themes. After joining Stellar Guild, Alex's team rebranded Brooks with a more polished, professional aesthetic. They shifted his content to showcase upscale dining experiences and luxury travel. Within months, Brooks gained millions of fans, and by the time Alex's ambitions fully took shape, Brooks had become a household name with over 20 million followers.

Stories like Jordan's cemented Donald's reputation as one of the best in the business. Under his leadership, Rising Guild expanded rapidly, becoming a dominant player in the industry.

Alex wasn't interested in acquiring a struggling agency just for its name. He wanted Donald and his core team, whose talent and drive could propel the business forward. Together, with Alex's knowledge of future trends, they could achieve explosive growth.

Right now, Rising Guild was desperate for funding. In just two months, the agency would be purchased by a wealthy investor, relegating Donald and his team to the role of employees. Alex had no intention of letting that happen.

While he didn't know the exact amount the other buyer had paid, Alex was confident he could present a better offer—and convince Donald to stay.

After agreeing on a time and place for the meeting with Donald, Alex hung up the phone.

Rising Guild's main office wasn't in Seattle but located in San Francisco. Alex decided to use the New Year's holiday as an opportunity to take Amelia and Sophie on a trip to the Bay Area while also finalizing the acquisition.

When Amelia came home from work, Alex shared his plans with her.

"Alex, are you really serious about starting an influencer management agency? Is it profitable?" Amelia asked. She had started using TikTok recently but didn't quite understand how agencies made money.

"Definitely profitable, but it depends on how you run it," Alex replied with a smile. "Based on what I've seen, TikTok is going to explode in popularity. Short videos perfectly fit into people's fragmented schedules. You can watch them while eating, on the toilet, or before bed—it's unbeatable."

"That's true," Amelia nodded thoughtfully.

"Since you're a finance major, once I get the agency up and running, you can manage the finances," Alex said, teasingly.

"So, I'd be working for you?" Amelia joked.

"You're the boss's wife—who would dare call you an employee?" Alex grinned.

"I never thought I'd get to be a boss's wife. It feels great!" Amelia laughed.

The next morning, the family of three set out on their trip. Since San Francisco wasn't far from Seattle , they opted for a scenic ferry ride as part of their journey.

——-

Author's Note: I know 600 miles is a bit far, but compared to the size of America, it's pretty reasonable

——.

It was Sophie's first time on a ferry, and she was thrilled at first. But after about fifteen minutes, her excitement turned to nausea.

Neither Alex nor Amelia felt seasick, but seeing Sophie uncomfortable made them anxious.

"Who knew she wouldn't get carsick but would get seasick?" Alex said with concern.

A kind fellow passenger offered a piece of ginger to Alex. "Let her chew on this—it helps with nausea," the passenger suggested.

"Thank you!" Alex said gratefully, giving a slice to Sophie. After chewing on it, Sophie seemed to improve, though she remained a bit lethargic.

After Few hours , they arrived at the port in San Francisco. Alex had already booked a suite at a boutique hotel downtown. Once they checked in, Sophie's energy returned.

"Sophie, do you want to take a nap?" Alex asked.

"No, Daddy! I feel fine now!" Sophie said, bouncing around energetically.

"Alright, let's head to Treasure Island!" Alex suggested with a smile.

Sophie cheered, quickly grabbing her backpack and hat.

Treasure Island was a well-known destination, beloved by locals and tourists alike. It offered stunning views of the Bay Area and plenty of activities. The island was famous for its waterfront park, walking trails, and the striking "Sun and Moon Pavilion" that hosted fireworks and light shows at night.

The family planned to stay on the island until evening to watch the fireworks.

Their first stop was the southern waterfront park. The area was beautiful, with clear views of the water and the city skyline. It was also bustling with visitors.

"Daddy, what kind of tree is this?" Sophie asked, pointing to an unusual tree along the path.

"I'm not sure," Alex admitted.

Amelia took out her phone and used an app to identify it. "Sophie, this is called a Canary Island Date Palm."

"Mommy, how do you know that?" Sophie asked, wide-eyed.

"I used my phone's plant recognition feature. Just scan it, and it'll tell you," Amelia explained.

Sophie's curiosity was piqued. She eagerly took the phone to scan more trees. With Amelia's guidance, she quickly learned how to use the app but soon grew frustrated. "Mommy, I don't know how to read the words!" she said, looking disheartened.

"That's okay. You'll learn to read soon," Alex reassured her.

"No, I want Daddy to teach me!" Sophie demanded.

Alex couldn't resist her enthusiasm. He taught her a simple word, and soon she was wandering around, tracing letters with her finger and repeating the word aloud.

The family's day on Treasure Island continued with more exploration and bonding. Sophie's curiosity and joy made the experience even more memorable for Alex and Amelia, reminding them why they worked so hard—for moments like these.

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