Greg didn't quite know what to expect from the meeting with Byron. Would he be OK or would he get angry because Ellie was at the meeting too and she was showing no sign of changing her mind about a divorce?
Byron spent a lot of time during the meeting looking at Ellie and Greg could see the pain in his eyes, he was sure that the pain was a sign that Roger was finally taking Ellie's plan to divorce him seriously. For her part, Ellie was polite and pleasant and kept the conversation focused on the business and never let it slip into more personal matters.
Helen had asked Byron to see them in an advisory role because she knew that she was way out of her depth. The size of the PSC job was enormous and she had no idea how to price the job so she wanted some advice from Byron about that.
He listened quietly to her as she outlined the work and, when he asked her for more granular details, she admitted that she didn't have those details yet. He frowned and sat with his hands clasped under his chin as he was obviously thinking about the job entailed.
When he spoke Greg could see that he was making a real effort not to talk down to them and he was amazed at what a change it seemed to make in the man.
"I guess I don't have to tell Greg, or you Helen, that there are some jobs that are just too big for a small business and taking on those big jobs can actually destroy your business rather than help it grow.
"I think that there is a real danger of that happening here ... but it depends on what the CEO at PSC is prepared to accept. There are a number of different elements to this job and, if he is happy for you to break the job down into those elements and tackle a few at a time then that would be good.
"Doing it that way might take longer but it would place less strain on your business and, if you were paid for each element as you completed it, your cash flow is not going to disappear like it would if you had to hire a lot of staff and then wait till the larger job was completed before you were paid.
"However, if the CEO wants it all done at once ... and he may want that seeing that security is an issue here ... then you should walk away from the job because it will kill your business. Even though you might be able to survive by borrowing money to tide you over the dry spell you could end up seeing your profit eaten up by interest payments.
"Walking away from the job will also damage your business so it's something that you really need to consider carefully. However, I may be able to help with The Syndicate member who has the most invested in PSC so the damage, if you walk away, may not be as great as it would otherwise be."
Helen nodded thoughtfully, "Thank you for reminding us of the issues that arise when the job is too big ... it's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting a job like this that you tend to overlook the fundamentals.
"It is something that we will look at ... and there might be some things we can do to tighten up the security across the board that will keep the CEO happy while we are working our way methodically through the list.
"And thanks for offering to help with The Syndicate too ... you know that we would be in one hell of a mess without all the help you have given us.
"I also need some help in putting the quote together so that I get the pricing right and don't end up doing the job for less than it is really worth. Do you have any suggestions there?"
Once again Byron sat with his chin resting on his clasped hands and thought for a few moments before replying.
"I think that most small businesspeople would be reluctant to hire anyone for a particular job who wasn't actively and directly contributing to producing the outcomes required for that job. However, there are some jobs that benefit greatly from having someone on board who can stand back and see the bigger picture.
"I would suggest that you guys should hire a project manager who can help keep everything running smoothly and I can also put you in touch with an expert in the area of pricing. I will give him a call this morning and ask him to see you as a matter of some urgency.
"I would also suggest that you guys think about looking for some angel investors for your business. I know that you would not want to go down the venture capital route ... and you might find that most venture capitalists wouldn't touch you anyway ... but The Syndicate has some funds set aside for businesses like yours and it could really help smooth out what could become quite a rough patch for you."
Byron looking at each of us and we looked at each other, "I know that all three of you are going to be busy for the next couple of days and then you are going to be away Helen so when is a good time for you?"
Greg had begun thinking about the funds that they had right at that point, and he could see a lot of expenses in the near future that they may not be able to cover so if they were going to take some angel investments they should start organising that now.
Helen was on the same wavelength, "I'm almost certainly going to stay over in DFW tonight so could we do a Zoom meeting for 5pm PST?"
Byron agreed and the meeting ended. Helen stayed back to hug and kiss him while Ellie and Greg walked out into the garden between their two houses.
"He seems to be trying to change," Greg said, and Ellie agreed.
"Helen told me that he actually saw a counsellor yesterday but it's too late. I'm calling my lawyer this morning and telling him to go ahead with both actions." She still sounded as determined as ever so Greg made no further comment.
While big things were happening at home Greg headed north to Bakersfield to meet with Marsha Granic.
About an hour out of Bakersfield Greg gave her a call, "Good morning, Mrs Granic."
"Hello Greg, aren't we formal today?"
Greg laughed, "Well I was going to say, 'Hello sexy babe' but I wasn't sure how well that would be received."
"Why don't you try it and find out," she said softly
Greg hesitated for a moment and then decided that it was a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained, "Hello sexy babe, how are you this beautiful morning?"
"I'm so nervous I can hardly stop shaking ... it's not the business stuff that's making me nervous ... it's what else might happen ... you're calling me sexy and beautiful and I'm not any of those things Greg."
That wasn't quite the reply that Greg had expected, and he was instantly into damage control mode.
"Marsha, I've seen the photo you sent me, I've seen you in our Zoom meeting, I've done some research and seen other photos of you. I don't know who has been putting thoughts into your head that you're not attractive but you have to stop listening to them because you are very attractive!
"But Marsha, I'm sorry if I misinterpreted some of the things that you have said in earlier calls and I'm way outside your boundaries ... nothing other than talking business needs to happen. Just tell me where you're staying and I'll book a separate room ... or even stay at a different hotel if that will make you feel more comfortable."
"Oh god no ... don't do that Greg ... please?"
"Marsha I don't want to put you in an awkward position ..."
