novelraw Chapter 216: Travel Photoshoot and Restaurant
Chapter 216: Travel Photoshoot and Restaurant
Shaowei felt that Jessie Sterling’s suggestion had opened up a whole new line of thinking for her.
"When I first started making Hanfu, I was really just a Hanfu enthusiast. I was still studying abroad back then, and there wasn’t much of a travel photography scene, so I had to do my own makeup. Over time, I got pretty good at it. Later, when I started my own Hanfu business, my family wasn’t very supportive. They didn’t help at all, thinking I’d spent so much money studying abroad only to come back and fool around instead of getting a proper job. I was just starting out, so money was really tight. I couldn’t afford to hire models or makeup artists, so I had to do it all myself. But thankfully, things eventually got on track. I still often do makeup for the models signed with our shop, so I can definitely do it!" Shaowei said.
Jessie Sterling asked, "Then what about the clothes...?"
Shaowei smiled. She was no stranger to the pain of being broke. "It’s fine. I’ll send you some new ones later!"
Jessie Sterling breathed an inward sigh of relief. Just then, Tanya raised her hand. "Jessie, what can I do?"
Tanya felt a little insecure, adding, "I don’t think I have any special skills..."
Jessie Sterling said, "If we’re going to open a shop, we’ll definitely need someone to coordinate things behind the scenes, like handling client appointments and scheduling the makeup artists and photographers. Do you think you can do that?"
At the look of complete trust from her boss, Tanya felt a jolt of energy, instantly fired up. "I can! I can definitely do it!"
Jessie Sterling said, "Then you’ll be in charge of reception and scheduling."
"What about me? President Sterling, look at me!" Jade Moyer couldn’t help but speak up. Jessie Sterling had just shot down his suggestion, and he still didn’t know what he could do.
"Can you do photography?" Jessie Sterling asked.
Jade Moyer replied, "I’m decent, I guess. I brought my camera with me this time."
Jessie Sterling said, "Our shop will need a photographer. Do you think you’re up for it?"
Jade Moyer said, "Definitely! If it’s a job from President Sterling, it’s a must-do!"
Jade Moyer had already called Jessie Sterling "President Sterling" once, but it hadn’t registered with her, since everyone at the company used to call her that.
Now that Jade Moyer had called her "President Sterling" again, Jessie Sterling finally realized they weren’t at Apex Films anymore.
"’President Sterling’? Don’t call me that."
Jade Moyer wasn’t even an artist from their company.
"Exactly!" Tanya stood by her boss’s side and made a face at Jade Moyer.
’Others might not get it, but she did.’
’She suspected Jade Moyer was just trying to ride her boss’s coattails!’
’No way! If anyone was going to be riding coattails, it should be her!’
Jade Moyer said, "It’s just that the way you’re organizing our work, Jessie, you really seem like a boss!"
Jessie Sterling: "..."
’It wasn’t that she actually wanted to be giving orders. A year ago, this would have been impossible. But ever since she started managing Apex, she’d had to make far too many decisions every day. In most situations, she had developed the habit of cutting through the chaos and disliked any form of delay or procrastination.’
Just as Jessie Sterling was about to say she was done with the assignments, Joanne Warren also spoke up, "President Sterling, how about arranging some work for me, too?"
Jessie Sterling: "!"
Before she could even respond, Ron Ford chimed in from the side as if to join in the fun, "That’s right, that’s right! I think President Sterling’s arrangements are great. Whatever I need to do, I’m at your command, haha."
Jessie Sterling: "???"
’Is this really the time to be joking around?’
But seeing everyone at the table staring at her with bright, expectant eyes, Jessie Sterling fell silent.
’Are they being serious?’
’She wasn’t on some power trip!’
Jessie Sterling said, "For the travel photography, three or four people should be enough, with maybe one more photographer at most. I think we can also make use of the third-floor terrace at our house."
"Go on."
Jessie Sterling continued, "There’s very little light pollution here, and people come to see the starry sky all year round. I was thinking we could set up a restaurant on our rooftop, The Celestial Garden. For tourists, food is a necessity. So, if we open a restaurant, and considering we’re all fairly well-known public figures, that could be a selling point to attract visitors. If we go with food service, almost everyone left can find a way to contribute."
After she finished speaking, Jessie Sterling looked at the people around her.
It was just her suggestion; whether it would be adopted ultimately depended on everyone’s opinion.
"I think that’s a great idea!" Unexpectedly, the first to speak was the musician, Mr. Hale.
Haydn glanced at Jessie Sterling. "I’m the one who does the cooking at home, and my wife and daughter think my food tastes pretty good. I may not be a master chef, but I think opening a restaurant with home-style cooking is definitely feasible."
"I can help, too," Joanne Warren added with a nod. "I have some experience with cooking; I often cook for myself at home."
Ron Ford scratched his head. "I usually just eat in the cafeteria, but... I might not be good at other things, but I’m strong! I’m a fast worker, too. Grocery shopping, carrying things, cleaning—that’s no problem for me! If we’re opening a restaurant, you can leave all the logistical work to me."
Wendy Lawson was getting antsy. "You all have a job now, so what about me? What can I do?"
Jessie Sterling hadn’t expected her suggestion to be approved unanimously so quickly; even she was a little surprised.
"You’ll be incredibly useful!" Jessie Sterling quickly composed herself and said to Wendy Lawson.
Wendy Lawson: "Huh? What is it?!" She excitedly slapped the table, looking at Jessie Sterling with keen interest.
"For a new business, the most important thing is promotion. Without marketing, no one will see it. If nobody knows about it, our products could be the best in the world and they still wouldn’t sell. So, Wendy, your most important job is marketing and promotion. You have a lot of active fans online, so you’ll promote both of our shops," Jessie Sterling said.
While fans have influence, for an influencer like Wendy Lawson, the photos and content she posts are more likely to attract casual viewers and get them to take a look.
This was the influencer effect.
Hearing this, Wendy Lawson clapped her hands. "Oh, that’s right! Why didn’t I think of that?!" She looked at Jessie Sterling and gave her a thumbs-up. "You really are our President Sterling."
Jessie Sterling pressed her lips together and smiled. ’This feeling of organizing everyone to work together, and having them all cooperate so well... it feels really good.’
"Alright then. Shaowei, Tanya, and Jade Moyer will be in charge of the travel photography. If it gets too busy, Tanya can also help with the photography. As for the remaining five of us—Elena, Mr. Hale, and I will handle food prep. Mr. Ford will be in charge of logistics, and Wendy will be in charge of marketing. Once we officially open, she can also help take orders in the upstairs restaurant," Jessie Sterling laid out the plan.