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“It is unique.” This wasn’t the first time I wondered how this would work between us. If she ever accepted that we were a thing, would we alternate weekends? Or would one of us move? My resort was an hour away, and I needed to be on-site. I wasn’t positive she needed to work in her office all the time. Not that she would see it that way.
“What’s that building there?” I asked as we gazed out the window. There was a road that went around it, but it was the only building between this one and the harbor area.
“It’s a market. It’s been renovated a few times. They open it to grand fanfare, and then they close it down, renovate it again, and reopen it. I haven’t been inside in a long time, but each time, they try to make it work as a traditional market, like you’d see in Boston.”
“I’ve been to that one. It’s a neat idea.”
She sipped her mimosa. “If it worked.”
“I’m sure you have ideas on how to make it work.”
Gia shook her head thoughtfully. “I don’t pretend to know anything about a food court. That’s not my area of expertise.”
“Be honest. When you go into a business, you evaluate how they operate, how good the customer service is, how clean everything is, and how fast your order is brought out, and then you think of all the ways they could improve.”
She laughed. “I get frustrated with small businesses. I’ve heard people say that if someone is a musician, it’s okay that their instrument and lesson shop is disorganized. Because they’re a creator, not a businessperson.”
“You need to be both. If you have no background in business, you can still learn.”
“Exactly. I listened to my father growing up, but I learned so much more by just doing my own thing. It was a lot of trial and error.”
“I agree.”
“I bet you’re continually coming up with new ideas for your business.”
“Some work and some don’t. But I usually act on them immediately. I don’t wait and think about it. Maybe that’s a mistake, but I’ve always gotten that spark and immediately figured out what I needed to do to make it happen.”
“I know what you mean. I’ve had to slow myself down a few times to make sure I’m making the right decision.”
“Is that what you did with your newest idea?” I asked, wanting to know more.
She laughed. “We immediately started researching it and getting everything in order. I’m excited about it. I think it could be the thing that keeps my business afloat.”
My forehead wrinkled. “You were worried you wouldn’t make it?”
“I don’t like being dependent on seasons or trends. I want a consistent and steady income.”
“I hadn’t thought about how, as a service business, you have dips and valleys.”
“My employees expect to be paid monthly regardless of how many weddings we booked that month.”
“I have a fairly steady income between the rooms, the restaurants, and the weddings.”
“You diversified just by the nature of owning a resort. You have locals coming for the spa and restaurant and for weekend getaways, and then you have tourists looking for a getaway. I’d thought about writing a book in the beginning, and I’d put it to the side. I didn’t think I’d ever do it. I kind of let it go, but Harper said it would be a good idea.”
“What would you write about?” I asked, genuinely impressed she wanted to write a book.
“What it’s like to be a business owner, but specifically a wedding planner. It would be a mindset business advice book for wedding planners. Or do you think that’s too limiting? Should I open it up to all business owners?”
I was pleased she’d confided in me and wanted my input. “I think you should write what you know first. If there’s interest in something more, then do another one that’s open to all businesswomen. I’ve heard women lament the lack of business conferences and books on money and business too.”
“There’s an opening in the market. I’ve seen a few women be successful with books about money, but I don’t see any for event planners.”
“I think it’s an amazing idea.” She was so smart and innovative. I was continually in awe of her. It made me want to tie her down even more. This woman was perfect for me. If only I could convince her of that.
Eighteen
SILAS
