Martin opened his notepad app, fingers ready to type out the points as Sarah continued. He knew that getting everything in place was vital, and he wasn't going to miss a single detail.
"Next," Sarah went on, "we need to find a suitable office floor or building for the company's headquarters. It depends on your budget, Martin, but you'll need to get input from your business partner before making a final decision. Today, we'll just scout a few potential spots."
Martin nodded, his mind already buzzing with the task ahead. They needed a solid foundation to establish the company's presence, and finding the right headquarters was a key part of that.
"And that's not all," Sarah added, glancing at Martin. "You're also going to need to look for a law firm to handle the company's legal affairs, an accounting firm to manage your finances, and—since you don't have any employees yet—you'll likely have to outsource a lot of these things for now."
Emily's eyes widened at the long list of tasks. "That's a lot of outsourcing," she commented, her tone concerned.
Sarah nodded again. "Exactly. Outsourcing isn't ideal for long-term operations. You want to eventually have your own in-house teams handling everything. For now, though, it's the only option if you want to move forward quickly."
Martin typed furiously into his notepad, making sure he got all of this down. But Sarah noticed and rolled her eyes with a chuckle. "Relax, Martin," she teased. "By the end of today, all of this will be etched into your mind anyway."
Martin grinned sheepishly, embarrassed. "It's just a force of habit," he replied. "I can't help it."
As the trio continued chatting, Emily often interrupted with off-topic ideas, her thoughts floating around as always. She rambled about random business ideas, marketing strategies, and even whether they should set up a coffee bar in the office for future employees.
It was hard not to laugh at how Emily's mind worked, always jumping from one thing to the next.
Twenty minutes passed in lighthearted conversation before the bus finally pulled into the stop near Sarah's residential district. The trio alighted, taking in the medium-end neighborhood that was worlds apart from Martin's modest downtown studio.
The streets were lined with well-maintained trees, and the houses and apartment buildings were a far cry from the cramped, dingy structures Martin had grown used to.
"Well," Emily said with a whistle, "someone's living in style!"
Sarah chuckled as they made their way toward her building. "Not really, but it's cozy," she replied. "Now let's get started. We've got a lot to do."
With that, the day's adventure was about to begin.
After a brief stop at Sarah's apartment to collect a few necessary documents, the trio set off, with Sarah firmly in the lead. They made their way toward their first crucial destination: the city district committee for trade and commerce.
The air was buzzing with a sense of purpose, and Martin couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and pressure building in his chest.
The committee building was a towering structure of glass and steel, bustling with activity.
The inside was spacious, with polished marble floors and the constant shuffle of footsteps echoing through the high ceilings. Sarah led the way, confidently approaching the reception desk to handle the business permit paperwork.
Martin watched as Sarah's demeanor shifted into that of a professional, her tone calm but direct as she navigated the bureaucracy of the office. She handed over Martin's details, securing the necessary forms for him to fill out, explaining each step in a way that made the legal jargon easier to digest.
Emily, on the other hand, seemed out of place, her usual bubbly energy subdued in the overly serious atmosphere of the government building.
She fidgeted as they waited, leaning over to whisper to Martin with a mischievous smile, "I swear, places like this just suck the life out of people. How do you two not fall asleep with all this serious stuff?"
Martin chuckled softly, but Sarah overheard and shot a mock-glare in Emily's direction. "We're doing important work, Emily," she said, though her lips twitched in amusement. "Try to hold it together for a few more minutes."
Eventually, the paperwork was completed, and with a few more signatures, Martin had what he needed: his business permit and license, which were necessary for the next steps of his company. They left the committee building, Martin's thoughts already racing ahead to the next item on their agenda.
---
Their next stop was a reputable law firm, housed in an elegant brick building with ivy creeping up the sides. Inside, the atmosphere was sleek and professional, the walls lined with rows of legal books, and every conversation spoken in hushed, serious tones. Sarah handled most of the interaction, introducing Martin as a new client looking to establish a solid legal foundation for his company. The lawyers were sharp and businesslike, offering insights into the legal intricacies that Martin would need to navigate as a business owner.
Emily, as expected, looked out of place. She slumped into the plush chair in the waiting area, sighing dramatically as Sarah and Martin engaged in serious discussions. Leaning toward Martin, she whispered again, "I don't know how you guys do this all day. I'd rather be at a beach or… anywhere but here."
Martin smiled but focused on the conversation at hand. He knew that securing a competent legal team was critical for the success of his company. They discussed legal risks, intellectual property protections, and the all-important corporate seal that would make everything official.
By the time they left the firm, the weight of the day seemed to be pressing down even more, and Emily dramatically stretched her arms as if she had been trapped in a cage. "Can we do something fun now? Please?" she pleaded.
Sarah rolled her eyes with a laugh. "We still have work to do. You know how important this is."
---
The next stop was an accounting firm, housed in a modern glass-front building in the financial district. The environment was stark and efficient, with rows of accountants working away in cubicles, managing ledgers and calculations with impressive precision. Here, Martin met with a financial advisor who offered to manage his company's books in the early stages, assisting with payroll, taxes, and audits.
The conversation was dry and technical, and while Martin focused on understanding the financial logistics, Emily visibly squirmed in her chair. After another lengthy discussion, they left the firm with a clear understanding of how Martin's finances would be managed in the short term, though Sarah made sure to emphasize that, eventually, he would need to hire in-house accountants.
Outside, Emily groaned loudly, dramatically collapsing against Martin's shoulder. "How much longer? Please tell me there's an end in sight."
Sarah smiled sympathetically. "We've just got one more major stop—checking out potential office spaces for the company's headquarters."
---
The rest of the day was spent visiting various industrial parks and office spaces. They toured five locations, each offering something different.
1. The Horizon Business Complex was sleek and modern, with state-of-the-art facilities. It had a futuristic feel, with open spaces, glass walls, and a professional, high-tech atmosphere that immediately made Martin envision his company thriving there.
2. Crescent Tower had a more corporate, traditional vibe. While the location was ideal, the space itself was somewhat stiff and less inspiring, which led Martin to wonder if it was the right fit for his innovative ideas.
3. Sunset Plaza offered a more creative, artistic environment, filled with vibrant murals and open spaces for brainstorming and collaboration. Emily, in particular, was thrilled by this spot, bouncing on her heels as she marveled at the design, but Sarah wasn't sure if it suited the seriousness of the business Martin wanted to build.
4. Ironclad Industrial Park was located on the outskirts of the city, boasting large spaces that could accommodate future growth. It was more affordable but lacked the central accessibility of the others.
5. Finally, Silvergate Towers had everything—location, design, and modern amenities—but it was also the most expensive option. The moment they walked in, Martin could see himself holding meetings there, and while it was a stretch financially, it was the one that called to him the most.
By the end of the day, Martin was overloaded with information, and Sarah had expertly noted down all the pros and cons of each location. Meanwhile, Emily—who had managed to survive the tours by turning each place into a new adventure—continued to throw in off-topic comments, keeping the mood light whenever things grew too serious.
---
As they left the final location, the sun had begun to set, casting a warm glow over the city. The trio stood together, feeling a sense of accomplishment, though it was clear that more decisions lay ahead. Emily, her patience finally worn thin, leaned her head against Martin's shoulder again, this time without any dramatics.
"If I hear one more word about business permits, office leases, or financial audits, I might just spontaneously combust," she joked, though her exhaustion was clear.
Martin chuckled, looking to Sarah, who shared a small smile. "We'll take a break," he said. "I think we all earned it."
As they began their walk back, the sense of camaraderie between the three friends felt stronger than ever. It had been a long, productive day, and with their bonds refreshed, Martin felt more confident about the future that lay ahead.