C8 Starting The Agency

After a morning of exploring, lunchtime rolled around, and the family's stomachs started to rumble. They hopped onto a tram that took them straight to the Opera House, a key attraction in the area. Nearby, they found HarborView Plaza, a large entertainment complex shaped like a ship. The plaza offered everything from cinemas, bookstores, supermarkets, and bars to a variety of unique dining options and children's play areas.

It was bustling with crowds—far more than the park.

For lunch, Alex chose a popular seafood restaurant known for its fresh offerings. After their meal, they watched a recently released movie, Ferdinand, followed by some window shopping and a trip to the children's play area.

The day passed quickly, and by nightfall, the Opera House fireworks show began with grandeur. It was a stunning display that captivated the crowds.

By the time they returned to the hotel, it was well past 10 p.m. Alex and Amelia were utterly exhausted, while Sophie had already fallen asleep in Alex's arms.

The Next Morning:

The next day, Alex encouraged Amelia and Sophie to relax at the hotel while he headed out, dressed formally, for an important meeting. Today was a critical step in his plan to purchase Rising Guild.

The Meeting at North Island Café:

By 10:15 a.m., Alex arrived at the North Island Café.

Donald was already there, sipping coffee with a distracted look on his face. A capable-looking man in his mid-thirties, wearing rimless glasses, Li had an air of intellectual poise about him.

As Alex approached, he smiled warmly and introduced himself, "You must be Guild Leader Donald Glovy?"

"And you are Mr. Alexander Branford?" Donald asked, a hint of surprise in his tone. He hadn't expected Alex to be so young. Still, he maintained his professionalism—after all, appearances could be deceiving, especially in business.

A server arrived with Alex's order of a sugar-added Americano. As he sipped his coffee, Alex got straight to the point, "Guild Leader Donald, what inspired you to start Rising Guild?"

Donald gave a bitter smile. "It's a long story. Perhaps it was driven by dreams. But as you know, dreams alone aren't enough—they require capital to sustain."

"That's true," Alex replied. "But I'm curious—why do you think I'm interested in Rising Guild? After all, there are many larger and more established guilds out there."

"Good question," Donald nodded. "Rising Guild is just a small, B-tier guild in the streaming world. So yes, I am curious about your interest."

"It's simple," Alex said with a grin. "I'm not investing in the guild—I'm investing in you."

Donald was taken aback. "In me?"

"Yes," Alex replied confidently. "Here's my offer: $120,000 to acquire Rising Guild as a package deal. You'll continue as the guild's manager with a monthly salary of $5,000, plus year-end bonuses based on performance. Your team is also welcome to stay on board."

The proposal was straightforward, but it was also generous, considering the guild's financial struggles.

Donald's eyes widened slightly. The offer was well within his expectations, especially with the competitive salary. For months, the guild had been bleeding money, and the co-founders were at their breaking point. They'd already been considering selling.

"Mr. Alexander, I'll need to discuss this with the others. Please give me a moment." Donald excused himself to make some calls.

Alex wasn't worried. He was confident in his offer and knew it would likely be accepted.

The Deal Is Struck:

After several minutes of phone calls, Donald returned, his expression more relaxed. "Mr. Alexander, we accept your offer, but I have one condition."

"Let's hear it," Alex said.

"If I'm to remain as the guild's manager, I need your assurance that you won't interfere in daily operations or micromanage our strategies," Donald said firmly. "Running a guild requires expertise, and I'd prefer no external interference."

Alex nodded, understanding Donald's concern. "You have my word. I trust your operational skills, which is why I want you on board. As long as there are no major deviations from our shared vision, I won't interfere."

Hearing this, Donald visibly relaxed. He appreciated Alex's professionalism and willingness to respect his expertise.

Although Alex had no prior experience running a guild, his future knowledge and innovative ideas were his trump cards. He didn't need to micromanage—he only needed to guide the bigger picture.

After finalizing the deal, Alex didn't immediately proceed to sign the acquisition agreement with Rising Guild. Handling such transactions under an individual's name involved various legal and logistical complexities. To avoid potential issues in the future, he decided to consult a law firm.

That afternoon, Alex met with Attorney Bradley Robinson from Summit Legal Partners to visit Rising Guild's office and conduct due diligence.

At the Guild's Office:

Rising Guild's workspace was modest—a mixed-use residential and commercial unit spanning about 1,600 square feet in a relatively remote location with affordable rent. Inside, about a dozen young employees worked diligently.

After briefly meeting the staff, Alex left the detailed work to Attorney Bradley. This included reviewing the guild's assets, liabilities, and financial records to ensure there were no hidden debts, tax evasion issues, or ongoing legal disputes that might burden Alex after the acquisition.

Guild Leader Donald took the process seriously and cooperated fully. Fortunately, Rising Guild was still a small operation with straightforward financials. Attorney Bradley completed most of the review within two hours.

Findings:

In a separate office, Attorney Bradley summarized his findings. "Mr. Alexander, the review is mostly clean. There's no significant debt, and the tax records are clear. However…"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "However, what?"

"The guild's financial performance is poor," Bradley explained. "Revenue is low, and they've been operating at a loss for some time. In my experience, acquiring a company in this state might be a risky investment. Since you're my client, I felt it necessary to share my concerns."

Alex smiled. "Thank you for your honesty, Attorney Bradley. I expected this. My interest in Rising Guild isn't solely for its current operations."

Bradley nodded, satisfied that Alex had considered the risks. His role was to provide counsel, not to influence business decisions.

Signing the Agreement:

The acquisition agreement was finalized shortly after. Due to the New Year holiday, the necessary legal changes, such as business registration updates, would have to wait until after the holiday.

However, Alex had a different plan. Instead of keeping Rising Guild's registration in its current location, he decided to relocate Rising Guild's operations to Seattle. This would centralize their activities and streamline tax and operational management.

To encourage staff to move, Alex offered relocation subsidies. While Seattle's living costs were higher, including rent, the proximity of the two cities made the move relatively convenient. Thankfully, the employees were amenable to the relocation and signed new employment contracts.

By the evening, Alex returned to the hotel.

Back at the Hotel:

"Is everything settled?" Amelia asked, curious about the progress.

"Not entirely," Alex replied. "It'll take another week or so to finalize everything."

Moving Forward:

On January 3rd, the last day of the New Year holiday, the family spent another relaxing day exploring San Francisco before returning to Seattle.

The next day, Alex hit the ground running. While the old guild was being deregistered in San Francisco under Donald's supervision, Alex focused on registering the new company and securing a suitable office space in Seattle.

After more than a week of hard work, on January 9, 2018, Alex's new company was officially established.

There were no grand ceremonies or ribbon-cuttings to mark the occasion. Instead, Alex hosted a casual dinner for all employees at a local hotel.

The company was named Evergreen Horizon Media, reflecting its ambitious and forward-looking goals.

The guild retained its original name, Rising Guild, which had gained some recognition.

Alex assumed the roles of CEO and legal representative, holding a 50% stake.Amelia took on the position of Chief Financial Officer, holding a 45% stake.

Donald was appointed as the Executive Director of Rising Guild, retaining the title of Guild Leader. Alex allocated him a 5% stake in the company as recognition of his significant abilities.

As for the other original founders of Rising Guild, they became regular employees under the new structure. However, Alex ensured their salaries were competitive, leaving them more than satisfied.

On Wednesday, Rising Guild held its first formal company meeting under the new management. Donald presided over the meeting, while Alex chose to sit back and observe. Lacking experience in this field, he preferred to let the professionals take charge.

After the meeting, Alex invited Donald into his office. Pulling out a document folder, he handed it to Donald.

"These are some profiles and information I've gathered recently. Take a look and tell me if you think this streamer has the potential to go viral."

Curious, Donald took the folder and sat on the nearby couch to review the material. He skimmed through the printed information, then used his phone to search and watch some of the streamer's short videos. Alex could see him analyzing the content with intense focus.

While Donald was occupied, Alex casually browsed his phone, giving him the time he needed. After about half an hour, Donald finally looked up, his brows furrowed.

"This streamer has a natural charisma that suits their niche, but… something feels off. There's potential, but it's lacking a certain spark," he said thoughtfully.

"Too lowbrow, maybe? Too grounded?" Alex suggested with a knowing smile.

"Yes, exactly. It feels mismatched with their inherent style," Donald replied, his eyes lighting up. "That's what's been bothering me. It feels too basic."

"What if we rebrand them with a high-end persona? Instead of showcasing budget-friendly locations, they explore luxury venues—like $500-a-plate premium wagyu restaurants or $10,000-a-night five-star hotels. Wouldn't that make them stand out?" Alex proposed.

Donald was momentarily stunned, but then he hesitated. "Isn't that just flaunting wealth?"

Alex shook his head, explaining patiently, "No, it's not about flaunting wealth. It's about revealing a world most people don't have access to—a world they're curious about. These luxury venues are shrouded in mystery for the average person. Our role is to demystify these spaces and invite audiences to experience them vicariously. It's aspirational, not arrogant."

Hearing this, Donald's entire demeanor shifted. It was as if a light bulb had gone off in his head.

"Boss, I get it now. I see exactly what needs to be done," he said, his voice brimming with excitement. He sat up straighter, energized by the clarity Alex's vision had given him.

Alex watched him with a smile, satisfied that his idea had struck a chord. He had seen the potential in this approach from his knowledge of the future and knew it was a game-changing strategy.

At that moment, Donald's admiration for Alex grew exponentially. He realized that his new boss wasn't just an investor but someone with a visionary understanding of the industry.