NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37: Setting Up Everything!
The next morning, Matthew woke up with a clearer vision of what needed to be done. Their canvassing trip had given him a good idea of the initial setup costs, and while the numbers seemed daunting, he felt reassured knowing he wasn't alone in this venture. Over breakfast, he received a message from Leo in their group chat.
Leo: "Hey, Matt. Been thinking a lot about yesterday. I've decided I'm in. I want to invest half of what I got from BYD—150k USD. Let's make this thing real."
Matthew blinked at the message, stunned. Before he could type out a reply, Saimon chimed in.
Saimon: "Count me in, too. I can put in 100k USD. We're a team, right? No way am I just sitting on the sidelines while you do all the hard work."
Matthew smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude. He quickly typed back.
Matthew: "You guys are insane. I wasn't expecting this, but… thank you. Let's meet up again today and finalize everything."
Leo: "Usual spot?"
Matthew: "Nah, let's head straight to the hardware store. We've got decisions to make."
By mid-morning, the three of them were back at the hardware store. This time, their approach was more deliberate. They started at the server section, where Matthew had already narrowed down their options.
"We'll go with two of these high-performance servers," Matthew said, pointing to the enterprise-grade models. "They're scalable, reliable, and can handle the encryption processes and AI models we'll be running."
The sales representative quickly entered the details into a tablet. "That'll be ₱400,000 for each unit. Do you want us to handle the installation and setup?"
"Yes, please," Matthew replied. "We'll coordinate once we finalize the office space."
Next, they moved to the networking section. "We'll need this router and two of these switches," Matthew said, recalling the specs they had reviewed the day before. "And add one of those firewalls with advanced security features."
The sales rep nodded. "Got it. Router, ₱25,000. Two switches, ₱50,000 each. Firewall, ₱80,000."
Saimon whistled. "That's already adding up fast, but it's worth it."
Their next stop was the peripherals section, where they chose three ultrawide monitors and ergonomic chairs. Leo tested another chair, spinning slightly. "Alright, let's get three of these, too. If we're working long hours, might as well be comfortable."
The sales rep added the items to their growing list. "Monitors are ₱40,000 each, and chairs are ₱15,000 each. Anything else?"
Matthew consulted his notes. "That should cover the tech. Let's move on to the furniture."
After paying a deposit for the hardware and arranging for delivery, the trio set off to scout office spaces. They had already shortlisted a few locations in the city center, prioritizing accessibility and affordability.
Their first stop was a small coworking space that offered private rooms. The receptionist showed them a room large enough for a small team, equipped with desks, chairs, and high-speed internet.
"It's functional, but it feels a bit… cramped," Leo said, looking around. "We're going to have servers and equipment. I don't think this is it."
Matthew agreed. "Let's check out the next one."
Their second option was an office in a modern building with sleek interiors and large windows that overlooked the city. The space was larger, with a dedicated conference room and enough room for future expansion.
"This is nice," Saimon said, walking around the room. "But what's the cost?"
The property manager handed them a brochure. "₱70,000 a month, plus utilities."
Leo winced. "That's steep. Let's keep this in mind but check out the last one."
Their final stop was a refurbished warehouse in an emerging business district. The space was industrial but spacious, with high ceilings and enough room for their servers, workstations, and even a small lounge area.
"This has potential," Matthew said, envisioning how they could set up the office. "What's the rent here?"
"₱50,000 a month," the leasing agent replied. "It's a bit out of the way, but you get more space for your money."
After some discussion, they decided to go with the warehouse. It was affordable, spacious, and had the flexibility they needed for their growing operation.
"We'll sign the lease tomorrow," Matthew said as they left. "Let's head back and finalize the budget."
Back at Saimon's apartment, the trio spread out their notes and receipts on the dining table. Matthew took the lead, creating a detailed budget plan.
"Alright," he began, "here's what we've got so far:
Servers: ₱800,000
Networking Equipment: ₱230,000
Monitors and Chairs: ₱165,000
Office Rent (6 months upfront): ₱300,000
Miscellaneous Costs (Delivery, Setup, Utilities): ₱150,000
Total: ₱1,645,000."
Leo leaned over, nodding. "With our combined funds, that's manageable. We'll have enough left over for unexpected expenses."
Saimon grinned. "Looks like this is really happening."
"Alright, let's make it official. Tomorrow, we sign the lease, pay for the equipment, and start turning this into reality."
The next day, they returned to the warehouse to finalize the lease. The agent handed them the keys, and as they stepped inside, the space felt different. It wasn't just an empty building anymore—it was the foundation of their dream.
"This is it," Matthew said, his voice steady. "The beginning of something big."
Leo clapped him on the back. "Let's make it count."
Saimon held up the keys to the Hilux with a grin. "And now we've got the ride to haul all our gear."
Over the next week, they worked tirelessly to set up their new office. The servers and equipment arrived in batches, and they spent hours assembling desks, setting up workstations, and organizing the space. Saimon even added a personal touch, hanging a whiteboard on the wall with the words: "Step 1: Build the Future."
By the time they were done, the office was unrecognizable. The servers hummed quietly in one corner, while the workstations gleamed under the bright LED lights. The industrial space felt alive, brimming with potential.
As they sat together in their new office for the first time, Leo leaned back in his chair, looking around. "We did it. This place… it feels like home already."
Matthew nodded, his eyes on the whiteboard. "This is just the beginning. Now comes the hard part."
Saimon smirked. "Bring it on. We've got this."
The three of them clinked their coffee mugs together.
"Let's be future Zuckerberg, Musk, Bezos," Saimon cheered.