Page 26 of Trusting You
“I’ll toast to that.” And we clinked mugs.
“So that’s it. You are really going to do nothing about this?”
“Yup. I am going to stay focused and not get hung up on this. I am new Cecelia.” And it was true. For once, I was not obsessing or planning or trying to find the safest option. I had decided to enjoy my life day by day and try new things. Making out with my hot boss was a new adventure and I wasn’t going to dwell on it or feel bad about it.
“Well, I like the new Cece.”
“Thank you. So what’s happening with you?” I said, trying to pivot the conversation in another direction.
“Not much. Work, work, work. I am building up the Jeanious Bar website and trying to diversify.” One of my favorite things about Nora is how fired up she gets about her business and helping women feel good. I sometimes feel a bit jealous about how passionate she is about her career. “I get messages on Insta all the time from women who want the JB experience, but are all over the country and the world. I have a website, but it’s not set up for this kind of e-commerce.”
“But the magic of your store is you, Nora. How do you replicate that online?”
“Well, thanks, darling. But part of the magic is the diversity of styles, sizes, and prices, and that can be done online. But to actually make it work, we need to find a way to build in some kind of system that helps the buyer navigate all the sizes and styles and cuts to find what is uniquely right for them. So I am looking to hire some tech people to help me out. But their help does not come cheaply, so I’ve been holding back a bit.”
“I think you should go for it. If there is some tech genius out there who can create a robot Nora to find people their best jeans just by looking at them, then that is something the world needs.”
Nora shrieked. “That would be amazing! Robot Nora would be super helpful for many things.” She sighed. “But anyway, it’s hard for a brick and mortar store to survive. I’ve got to diversify and find new ways of promoting and marketing.”
“I get that. But I think what makes JB so unique is you. Your social media feed markets the store and your products, but shouldn’t you be marketing yourself and your expertise?”
“That sounds great, but how do I practically do that?”
“Well, I’ve been telling you for years that you need to post more social media content about yourself.”
Nora rolled her eyes. “I know, I know.”
“Seriously. You want people to trust you to help them find the best clothes for their bodies? If you show them how totally gorgeous you look every day, that will build your credibility.”
“Wow. I never thought about it that way.”
“And, in addition to showcasing stuff like that, you could also explain why different fits, cuts, and fabrics can help or hurt certain body types. Use yourself as a guinea pig for new styles and people will respect the authenticity.”
“Yes! You are a marketing genius. The thought of posting photos of my fat ass on the Internet scares me, but everything else you’ve said is amazing.”
I smiled. It was fun helping Nora. It was the least I could do given how many free pairs of jeans she had given me over the years.
“Do you want a new client?” she asked with a grin. “I would love to hire you to help with the transition to the web and figuring out how to bring JB to more people.”
She looked so excited I didn’t want to let her down. “Thank you. But that’s not really what I do.”
“But it could be what you do? I see what you are trying to do with the brewery and it’s great. You are a marketing guru, sweetie. Give yourself some more credit.”
Nora was so kind and enthusiastic. My head was spinning with ideas for her. What Nora did, making women feel confident and beautiful, was the opposite of what most clothing stores did. Her brand of inclusiveness and diversity with a playful attitude would kill online if properly marketed. Part of me wanted to say yes and help her, but the other part knew that I wasn’t qualified. And more importantly, that’s not the kind of future I’m looking for. I don’t want to freelance or build my own practice, I just want a stable, secure career. And as exciting as taking on these types of opportunities felt, it wasn’t a solid long-term plan.
I smiled at my friend. “I’m just helping out at the brewery, and you don’t want me. I’m sure we can find you a professional brand consultant or marketer who will do a way better job.”
Nora’s face fell. “For the record, I think you’re full of shit. But I am not going to push you.”
“Thanks.”
“But I think you should also just be honest with me and admit you only do marketing favors for hot guys with big dicks.” She swung a pillow at me and hit me in the side of the head.
“Shut up,” I yelled back and scrambled to find another throw pillow.
16
Liam
