It's been a busy week for Britt and I and Red Brick Photography. RBP was born after I received a call from a graphics firm who was going to be doing a calendar for a local auto body shop. They were going to gather up 13 different hot rods and muscle cars and I was going to provide a comely model or two to pose with each car and take the pictures.
I agreed to write up a proposal for the work, so that meant I had to make it look like I had a real company. The easiest way to achieve this, evidently, was to go ahead and create the company. Britt was my savior, computer whiz that she is. By the end of the weekend, we had letterhead, a rate sheet, an email address and the beginnings of a website. This week's tasks were securing the business license and crossing our fingers that our proposal was accepted for the calendar job.
In the midst of this tumultuous weekend, I offered Britt a job to work with me getting the photography business up and running. She was ecstatic in her acceptance and jumped in with both feet. My biggest problem it seems may be keeping her reined in and moving at my pace, not hers.
Britt finagled the business license on Monday morning and that afternoon I got a call from Mike at Design Graphics saying that we had the job and wanted to know how soon we could start. I wanted to build a backdrop in the warehouse to shoot in and figured I could have that done by the end of the week, so I committed to being able to start that upcoming weekend.
I called Britt with the good news after I hung up with Mike. "Hey sweetie, "I started, "I guess we have to go to work now, cuz they just called and accepted our proposal to shoot the calendar."
"Oh my god, that's great, "she said. "I want to thank you again for letting me help with the company. I told the girls all about it and they are a little worried that there might be some conflict between, you know, work and play. I just want you to know that I understand that you are the boss when it concerns the business and that whatever you say, goes."
"Alright, "I answered, "So who's in charge of play?"
Britt giggled on the other end, "I think we can share those duties."
I looked at my watch and it was about 2 p.m. "So, I think we need to celebrate our starting the company and getting our first job. What do you think?"
"Sounds like a great idea; what do you have in mind?"
"Let's do this; I'll buy you and the girl's dinner and we can talk over the calendar shoot. I'll, or should I say we'll need to work around their work schedules. I hope to have the wall ready by this weekend. I don't know how the cars will be delivered yet or when, so we might have one or we might have a bunch to work with. We also need to see if we have enough lighting to pull this off. I may have to rent a couple more."
"This is so cool, "she exclaimed; "And don't hesitate to ask me to do whatever running around that needs to be done. Oh, hey, I just thought of something; do we need a phone number for the business?"
"Yeah, to look legit, I suppose we need one we can answer 'Red Brick Photography, may I help you?'"
Britt giggled, "I like the sound of that. I love you for letting me help with this."
"Well to be completely honest, I couldn't have pulled this off by myself, particularly this quick; so thank you for helping me," the sincerity quite apparent.
"Okay, "she replied with a little sniffle, "when and where for dinner?"
"Well, you check with the girls and you can set the time. How about Red's downtown? I haven't had a good steak in a long time and they have fish, chicken, salads and the rest of it. It's just kind of nice and cozy and we can talk easily there."
"Ooo...dark and cozy, I like the sound of that!"
"Okay, "I laughed, "just give me a call back, or come to think of it, you could go ahead and make the reservation. Then call me and we'll meet there or whatever."
"If it's okay with you, I may go back to the studio and work on the website." And then she giggled, "That sounds so cool, 'going back to the studio.'"
"Of course it's okay; you're part of the company. And about the phone, I think a cell phone makes the most sense. If you want, there is a cell phone bill on the desk. You could go ahead and get another number and a phone. You can figure out what features we need."
"Consider it done; and I'll call you when I have dinner set up. Love you!"
"Love you too; I'll hear from you soon."
**Later that afternoon **
Britt called and dinner was set for 7:30 since Gina and Kate had to lock up the store at 6:00 and then get home and get ready. I didn't bother saying anything about not having to get all dressed up or anything, because it would have fallen on deaf ears. These girls were going to do what they wanted, and to be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing them all dolled up again.