This story contains characters from other stories but is intended as stand alone. Its a bit on the short side but sets the scene for the longer stories that will follow,
All comments and feedback are gratefully received as I'm hoping the feedback will encourage improvements in my work. This is a work of fiction from the deep dank recesses of my mind and any resemblance to real people is purely accidental.
This story contains lesbian sex, if this not to your liking, please visit some of my other submissions, otherwise I hope you enjoy.
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Susan found trade shows a double-edged sword. As CEO of a large lingerie company, she was expected to make an appearance and in the past she and her team had made some useful contacts, but it was hardly as astronomical as the event's organisers liked to make out. Her company had started out in traditional paper catalogues, transitioned in the internet age to online catalogues to back up and eventually largely replace paper catalogues and had now embarked into the era of the social media influencer.
The previous six months had seen the company's sales increase gradually. Each new customer coming through the door was given a special promotion code that they had heard about the company through the first influencer, Shirley, who had helped Susan and one of her team come up with a strategy and the young redhead mum was enhancing her own social media content thanks to the efforts of Susan and her team with photography content, company insight, special offers and product premiers. Shirley had regular contact with Dawn who was a young member of Susan's workforce tasked with liaising with the influencer and a variety of departments within the company.
Susan had left the company's exhibition stand in capable hands as she made her way around the various stands to see what the competition were up to and see how other companies marketed themselves. As she was going round, she came across a small refreshment area, so she decided to take a seat and get herself a drink. Sat at a neighbouring table was another woman, Susan guessed a couple of years younger than her at early forties who was busily working away on her phone. The woman sighed heavily and placed her phone down so that she could take a sip of her own drink. The woman noticed Susan watching, she smiled and said, "People see the social media posts I put up and think I'm sitting there in my pyjamas with nothing better to do."
Susan's expression showed she hadn't fully comprehended the woman's comments and so the woman reached over her hand and introduced herself. "I'm Carrie. My job, such as it is, is to post content across a variety of platforms and sometimes people get the wrong end of the stick when all I'm really trying to do is make the world more aware of the role woman have in its progress."
Susan shook the offered hand and replied "It's a pleasure to hear your making a stand for our gender. I'm Susan, my company is one of the exhibitors. I take it you are one of those influencers?"
Carrie winced and replied "That's the general banner I fall under although I don't like the term but yes, I have a few thousand followers but rather than influencing I prefer to say I'm an activist. For too long the woman's voice has been shouted down and I'm doing something to correct that in my own little way."
"Pleased to hear it" was Susan's response. "Through my company I too like to encourage female empowerment, although instead of burning their bra's I'd rather they buy them from us to enhance their femininity as our ranges are invariable designed by women, for women and through my team, sold largely by women. I wouldn't say I have a positive discrimination policy but employing mostly women has paid off substantially. We've not long dipped our toes in the influencer market and so I don't associate the term with negative connotations as the initial results have proved very positive for both of us and our initial influencer."
Carrie nodded thoughtfully asking "So it's proving beneficial to both you and them? Does it pay well as I don't make much money off the back of it and wonder if others do."
Susan pulled a strange face and replied "We've only just started with our first lady. Yes, we have seen an upturn and our lady does get a percentage of those sales, but she is mainly in it for the content we help her with and some fringe benefits that we also offer in her case, but I'm open to discussions."
Carrie smiled and said "I don't suppose you're looking to take on others, are you? It sounds as though your company's philosophy overlaps very nicely with my agenda" suddenly interested in the way the conversation was headed.
Susan raised her eyebrows and added "Well, we have recently said we want to try a second instance if you are interested. I'd like to know more about your circumstances, what your aspirations are plus your philosophy and how you think they overlap with ours." This new lady had a very warm, welcoming smile that meant you couldn't help but like her. She was average height but obviously worked out judging from her slim, trim figure.