The days following James's decision to attend Columbia University were a whirlwind of planning and preparation. College would bring new opportunities, but it also meant facing the challenge of managing his businesses while being a full-time student. Sitting at the kitchen table with Tommy, James laid out a series of notes and projections for FutureNet and the vending machine operations.
Tommy leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "So, you're really doing this, huh? College and business at the same time?"
James nodded, his pen tapping against his notepad. "Yeah, I have to. Columbia's a great opportunity, but I can't just abandon what we've built. We need a solid plan."
Tommy flipped through the pages. "Well, it's not like I'm going anywhere. I can oversee things while you're busy with school, but we should probably bring in someone else to help manage day-to-day stuff."
James agreed. "Exactly. I was thinking we could promote one of the café employees to a managerial role, someone who knows the place inside and out."
"Emily?" Tommy suggested. "She's been with us since the beginning, and she's sharp."
James smiled. "That's what I was thinking too. She understands how things work and already has good relationships with the customers."
---
Expansion Plans for FutureNet
Beyond management, James was also considering ways to expand FutureNet before his schedule became packed with classes. They had reached capacity at their current location, and the demand for internet access was only growing.
"I've been looking at another spot downtown," James said, pulling out a map of New York City. "It's a little more expensive, but the foot traffic is insane, and there's a lot of young professionals around. If we move fast, we could lock it in before someone else does."
Tommy raised an eyebrow. "That's a big step, little bro. Expansion means more overhead, more management, and more risk."
James leaned forward. "I know, but if we set it up properly, it could double our profits within a year. Plus, with the internet boom, it's only going to get bigger."
Tommy scratched his chin. "Alright, but we need to be smart about it. You're going to be busy with college, and I've got my own work. We'll need someone we trust to run the new place."
James thought for a moment. "What if we bring Matthew in on this one? He's been looking for something bigger to get involved in, and he's got great people skills."
Tommy nodded. "Yeah, he could be a good fit. Let's run it by him."
---
Balancing Responsibilities
As the conversation continued, James felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about the road ahead. He had always prided himself on being able to juggle multiple things at once, but college would be a whole new challenge.
That evening, as he sat in his room, James opened the notebook Lily had gifted him for his birthday two years ago. Flipping through its pages, he reviewed his investment plans and ideas. His stocks had grown significantly, and he had diversified his portfolio enough to provide a safety net.
But now, it was time to focus on the next phase. He wrote down a list of priorities:
1. Delegate café responsibilities to Emily.
2. Discuss expansion plans with Tommy and Matthew.
3. Plan a flexible investment strategy that wouldn't require constant attention.
4. Maintain a balance between college and business without sacrificing personal relationships.
As he closed the notebook, a knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. Margaret peeked in with a warm smile. "James, you've been working all day. Take a break, sweetheart."
James smiled back. "I will, Mom. Just trying to make sure everything's set before school starts."
She walked in and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I know you want everything to be perfect, but don't forget to enjoy this time, too. College is a big step."
"I know," James said, feeling a little more grounded. "I'll make it work."
---
The Next Steps
A few days later, James and Tommy met with Matthew at a local diner to discuss the expansion. Over burgers and fries, they went through the financials and the logistics. Matthew, eager as always, was on board right away.
"This is huge, guys," Matthew said, his eyes lighting up. "We can make FutureNet the go-to spot for the city. I'm all in."
James grinned. "Glad to hear it. We're counting on you."
As they left the diner, James felt a sense of accomplishment. The pieces were coming together, and he was ready to take the next step into his future, knowing that he had a strong team by his side.
...