NOVEL NEXT 70 Hope and the Start
January 20th, 2024.
Michael was in the class. He looked at his wristwatch and saw that it had been twenty minutes since the class started yet the professor was not present. Well—this is a common occurrence in the first week of school. The activities would be about getting to know your professor and your fellow classmates, and after all that, the class would be then dismissed early. "Looks like we have no professor today," Psylemon said, who was sitting behind him.
"Yeah…how about we leave now?" Michael proposed. "How about we wait another ten minutes? If the professor doesn't show up, we'll leave," Psylemon suggested, leaning forward to whisper his plan.
Michael nodded, agreeing with the proposal. It seemed fair, and it wasn't as if they had much to lose by sticking around a bit longer. Besides, this gave him a few more moments to skim through his notes and maybe chat with his classmates, many of whom he hadn't seen since the last term ended.
The ten minutes passed slowly, with several students taking the initiative to introduce themselves to others, sharing their majors and a bit about why they chose this course. Michael found himself engaging in a few conversations, but his eyes kept drifting back to the door, half-expecting the professor to walk in at any moment.
Finally, as the last of the agreed ten minutes ticked away, it became clear that no one was coming to teach today. "Alright, looks like it's a free day for us," Pyslemon said to Michael as they gathered their own belongings. "Any plans now?"
Michael shrugged. "I think I'm going back home earlier, I have a business to look upon." "Business? Ahh…yeah, your solar panel? Dude you are a genius, you are popular in the country. Well, it's nice to have that brain of yours." Michael simply chuckled a response. "You know what Michael…I kind of envy you, because you already have a life ahead of you, while me? Well, I'm just a student who can't even pass statics. Now I'm an irregular student. My future is not looking good at this point."
Michael placed a hand on Psylemon's shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself. Actually, I've been thinking... How would you feel about working with me at SolaraTech?"
Psylemon's eyes widened in surprise. "Work with you? But I don't know the first thing about solar panels or running a business."
Michael smiled, his confidence unwavering. "That's not a problem. I didn't know much either when I first started. It's all about learning on the job. Plus, I believe you have skills that could really help out. I'm not exactly sure what position or role it would be yet, but I'm confident we can find something that suits your talents."
For a moment, Psylemon was silent, clearly taken aback by the offer. "Are you serious? You'd really give me a chance like that?"
"Absolutely," Michael affirmed. "I've seen how you approach problems, even in our class projects. You have a unique way of thinking, and that's valuable. Besides, SolaraTech is still beginning and I could use someone I trust to help me navigate through the early stages and beyond."
Psylemon nodded slowly, the initial shock giving way to a dawning realization of the opportunity being offered. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested. It's just... a big leap, you know?"
"Of course, it's a big decision. But you won't be alone. I'll be there to guide you through everything. We'll start with some basic training, get you up to speed on how things work, and then figure out where you can make the biggest impact."
"Sounds like you've got it all planned out," Psylemon said with a hint of admiration.
"Yeah, it sounded like that. Now…" Michael looked at his wristwatch again, noticing the time. "Okay, seems like I have to go now so I can prepare some documents early for tomorrow's meeting. But let's catch up later this week. We can sit down and go through everything you'll need to know about SolaraTech. How does that sound?"
Psylemon, still somewhat in disbelief at the sudden turn his day had taken, nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds great. Thanks, Michael."
***
January 22th, 2024. At the office of Mrs. Antoinette Estolas. Michael and Bridget walked side by side together down the hallway. "So you're telling me that the daughter of Mrs. Estolas is your student?" "I'm just a tutor, you are making it sound like I'm her professor but it's not," Michael clarified as they approached the office. "And yes, she's been needing some extra help with her subjects so I've been assisting her."
Bridget nodded, impressed. "That's quite a connection. And she's the same age as you, and beautiful when you showed me the picture."
"She is indeed, there's no denying that." "Do you like her?" Michael shook his head. "I don't feel romantically attracted to her if that's what you're asking. My focus is purely professional. As they arrived at Mrs. Estolas' office, the secretary greeted them with a polite smile. "Mr. Michael and Ms. Bridget, Mrs. Estolas is expecting you. Please, go right in."
The office was spacious and elegantly decorated, a testament to Mrs. Estolas' success and style. Antoinette stood up from behind her desk as they entered. "Mrs. Antoinette Estolas, allow me to introduce to you, Bridget von Reimann. Ms. von Reimann, this is Antoneitte Estolas."
"A pleasure to meet you ma'am," Bridget extended her hand, which Mrs. Estolas warmly shook. "The pleasure is all mine," Antoinette said.
Michael took a seat after the introductions were made, Bridget following suit. "Okay, let's start the discussion with everyone's favorite. The amount of ten percent equity to my company," Michael began and the two women lent him their ears.
"I'm pretty sure that you can calculate the valuation of SolaraTech. I'm offering each of you 20 million dollars for ten percent equity in my company. This valuation is based on our current financials, growth trajectory, and future projections."
Antoinette raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "That's quite a valuation. Twenty million is equivalent to ten percent shares? Forty million for twenty percent shares, so for 100 equity that would be the total valuation of your company which is…" she mentally calculated.
Before Antoinette could finish her calculations, Bridget quickly chimed in, "That puts SolaraTech at a valuation of 200 million dollars if we're following Michael's proposal for a ten percent share at 20 million. So where are you going to use the money?" "Well, I'm going to buy a lot where we can build a factory, or simply buy a factory and then renovate it to our needs," Michael said. "I already have an idea."