STELLAR B
Quit! Quit already, aaaahhhhhhh! Let them have their bro company all to their bro selves, you can do better. I can do better! WE CAN ALL DO BETTER
I’ve just about given up on Sharon when she hits the chat with a wall of text two screens long.
SHARON K-Y
As per my previous advice. 1. Only focus on things you can fix. Therefore, 2. Don’t waste time worrying about their presentation. 3. They have a high-concept pitch, but not everything that pitches well is the right move for the company, right now. 4. You’re pitching your idea PLUS the added value of *you* as someone who generates a particular type of idea that is powerful in its unique approach, not its flash. And 5. Stellar please call me, you know my thumb joints can’t take all this texting
STELLAR B
WHAT SHE SAID
ME
I just. What if it doesn’t work
What if this was all for nothing
SHARON K-Y
Then throw a match over your shoulder and film yourself walking away
STELLAR B
AUNT SHARON??
SHARON K-Y
You said 10 minutes. It’s been 9. You have to go
Oh, shit.
STELLAR B
DO IT LIZ. LIGHT IT UP. BURN IT DOWN
I jump down and speed-walk back to the dining hall. The moderator waves me to the front, impatient.
The white noise in my brain feels like karaoke cranked up to a million, except I can’t meow my way out of this one.Come on, magic.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m excited to be here today.” My voice cracks over “excited.” “As you can tell, ha ha.”
Polite laughter. Not as good as the real laughter Tobin got, but it’s something.
“Today is a special day. Today, the spreadsheet nerd talks about branding.” Smile, raise my eyebrows, next slide. “West by North’s brand is high-end tours in a world-class mountain destination. Our ideal customer wants to buy an upsold version of the wilderness—stunning vistas, effortless luxury, and uninterrupted fun. Like Grey Tusk, our most profitable season is winter, with summer a decent second and spring and fall far behind.”
Here’s where I diverge from Craig’s vision. I’m short of breath, gasping between sentences. There’s a quaver in my voice that just won’t go away.
I don’t feel magic. Fuck.
“I propose that we disruptour own brand. Our luxury offerings don’t fit spring and fall consumers. They’re here for inexpensive events like leaf season or the craft beer festival. For this market segment, we need a different brand.”
Craig’s face is expressionless. I think I’m having a heart attack, like my heart is actually attacking me. I swallow the major organs that have collected in my mouth and look elsewhere. At Tobin. Right as I put up the slide about guides’ income.
It couldn’t be more obvious that I was thinking of him whenI came up with this idea. Day hikes to local attractions would be perfect for a guide with a sore wrist. He wouldn’t have to sell big trips on commission. He’d be home every night with salary and tips. Maybe then he’d stop tracking the gap between his income and mine, and I wouldn’t catch him pretending he loves patching gear he really should replace just because he won’t spend more than he brings in.
He’s got that closed expression again. Like I’m here, but he doesn’t see me.
