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Tom

I scanned the table of investors and clearedto be a breeze

Or at least it should be

“Hello, everyone,” I said, nodding at the eleven people spread out along the oval table in the presentation room

I’d had this roooff what they were putting their y The tall s had a terrific view of the bay, and the chairs were high-back leather and extraordinarily coned to say, “you spent yourusfor them, except for one older man in the corner I made sure to make eye contact with him as much as possible

“I’lad to see ere all able to make it in person, and I’m happy with the attendance,” I said

“It just aIt better be worth h, cranky voice of the investor in the corner His name was Robert C Fuller, and he was clearly uni uni

“Oh, I assure you, Mr Fuller, it will be,” I said

There was a time when I would have liked to think exorbitantly wealthy people building the foundation of powerful companies had at least a modicum of self-control and decorum, but no, that was not the case

Mr Fuller was the lesson I had to learn and apparently had to keep on learning I kept re ht est man in the room was usually the quietest While I wasn’t entirely sure I bought that as a blanket principle, sometimes it helped keep my mouth shut

In all honesty, it was probably just that thinking aboutMr Fuller I didn’t need hi as hard as I did was for me and my own success, but there was ht for on, was to make sure they could take care of our parents

Six o, we’d lost our father to cancer, but our ainst her grief as well The stronger my business position here, the more I could provide for them and the better the life she could have It orth an obnoxious investor every now and then

“Well, get on with it, Tom,” he said

I snapped out of hts and bristled Some of the other investors called me by my first name as well, but I considered those people rind against each other, but I didn’t show it I gave a professional smile and turned my shoulder toward him to start the presentation

“Without further delay,” I said, tapping a button onfrorey wall to a screen I could control “As you can see, our projections were for aon research and development, that would be ”

In the corner, Mr Fuller crossed his arlanced his way but pressed on I brought up the next slide

There was an audible gasp in the roorinned Several of the investors’ eyes had lit up, and I could see a few of thees into their phones Mr Fuller in the corner seee his expression toohis poker face Inside, he was at least mildly impressed For now

I continued on, giving them the lay of the land with our current deals and partnerships and where our expenses would put us The nu short of fantastic, and I could see where a few of the investors were itching to possibly talk about expansion I kneas co, and I felt like I needed to temper it a little There was a lot of profit to be er

When the athered around me to shake hands and try to schedule tis over the next day or so Many of them lived in the area, but a few had flown in just for the ain the next day Aently took notes and scheduled appointments, and I made my way to Mr Fuller