Chapter 17
GILLY
As soon as I saw Daddy at the park, it was like I could breathe again.
Instead of spreading a blanket on the ground, we ate at a picnic table by the big field.
While he pulled out food stuff, I opened my laptop because I wanted to show Nate the ledger again, including the last few months, and what I had in my savings.
He handed me a sandwich, and I ate while he examined the business stuff. “Mmm…PB and J.”
“Yep. Grape jelly, as you like.”
I swallowed my bite and took a drink of the fruity punch juice box. He thought of everything. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“You are more than welcome, sweetheart.”
I waved my hand at the laptop. “So, what do you think?”
“First, I’m wondering about what other assets you have. Or the company has.”
“Me, nothing. But I’m not sure about the company.
There is a van, but it’s old and could hardly be worth much.
It’s paid for, so we just have the insurance bill.
Also, some equipment and supplies, like a big paint mixer and stuff like that.
Like I mentioned before, my uncle runs the business out of his garage, so no office or warehouse overhead.
If I did buy the business, it wouldn’t include that space. ”
“What about a customer list?”
“We have a pretty good one. Here.” I leaned over and pulled up the database I’d helped set up that included all our past and present clients. It gave us a total number of customers and repeat jobs as well as any referrals they sent our way.
“This is all great information, Gilly. Good job compiling all of that. We can use this to figure out a valuation and make an offer if that’s what you want.”
“I think I should talk to my uncle first, don’t you?
I don’t want it to seem like I’m going behind his back and stealing the business from him.
For all I know he might not be interested in selling it.
” I thought he might be ready to retire based on how much he’d been gone and how much he’d handed over to me, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be totally hands-off.
Besides, if I couldn’t offer him enough to make it worth his while, he wouldn’t be able to let go, no matter what he wanted to do.
“I’m still not sure if this is what I even want, but that would be the next step. Right?”
“Yes. I think you’re right. On paper it looks like a solid company, though, and you have a healthy savings account.
You say the word, and I’ll get a valuation done.
Then we could see if it would work for both you and your uncle.
Plus, we need to consider how your changes might help improve your income after the sale.
You don’t want to go broke trying to do something that won’t work. ”
“Here’s a list of some of things I want to do, but it doesn’t include finding a new place to work out of.” I pulled up the information and showed him what I had in mind.
“Wow, Gilly. These are good changes. My team will be able to estimate a new profit margin based on these.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” I finished my lunch and wiped my hands off, feeling relieved and less anxious than I had in the past few days.
“Gilly? Would you like to play with the frisbees or bubbles?”
“Yay!” I threw a hand in the air and screamed, “Bubbles!”
Daddy chuckled and rubbed my head. “Okay, then, I’ll go get them.” He packed up our lunch and headed to his truck, returning with his super wand. He made tons of bubbles for me to chase. I was just like Ellie. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles…
No more thinking about the future. No more thinking about my uncle’s company. Only fun, fun, fun the rest of the day.