you’ll see that we’ve also recently acquired a chain of feed stores. The Seed and Stock Store, also known as SSS, is going to be the culmination of a dream of mine. You see, Simplot Industries owns a variety of businesses that are quite successful all on their own. I can’t help but think they’ll do even better when the products of each enterprise are available under one roof through the feed store. I want to rebrand SSS. The current name sounds like a secret Nazi organization. We’re changing the name to Sinclair’s. A name that is simple. Clean. I want each one of those feed stores to become a place where everyone and anyone can have a wonderful shopping experience while buying one of our terrific products.”
Overwhelmed by the possibilities, Ashley nodded her head again. She had no idea where Mr. Sinclair was leading the conversation, but an ominous feeling settled over her.
“What I want, Miss Jarrett, is to find a promotional company such as yours that will work to bring a cohesiveness to Sinclair Industries. I have marketing, advertising, and publicity teams for each business, but I want to rebrand our entire company. Whether someone is getting fertilizer for their turf, ordering a pair of boots, or buying a new horse trailer, I want the Sinclair experience to be what they remember. We need a unified, solid, integrated, consistent brand across the board.” He gave her another studying glance. “I think you could do good things for our company, but before I turn over our promotional business to you, I need to make sure you have a proper grasp of our products, of what we represent.”
“I do, sir. I am fully…”
He held up a hand, interrupting her. “I’m sure you’ve done your research on me and my businesses, Miss Jarrett, but that’s not what I mean. I want you to get hands-on experience within each one of my companies so you know exactly what you’ll be promoting. What I propose is from now through December, you experience what Sinclair Industries has to offer. You’ll be given specific tasks and will report to me when each is completed. When you satisfactorily finish all the tasks, we’ll sign a three-year contract with an option to renew if both parties are satisfied with the arrangements.” He slid a check across the table. “While you’re working on the tasks, it’s only fair to compensate you.”
The amount made her pulse accelerate. She had no idea what tasks he wanted her to complete before he’d sign the contract, but how hard could it be? With the money he was willing to pay her, as long as everything was legal and moral, she was willing to do whatever it took to earn his trust and his business.
“Sir, I…”
“You’d receive a monthly check in that amount through December. If things work out like I hope they will, we’d begin our long-term contract in January and start the rebranding process then.”
Ashley’s mouth went dry. The check in front of her would be enough to easily cover three months of expenses, and he was proposing to give her one just like it monthly for the rest of the year. Since it was the end of July, that meant she’d have five months to complete the tasks, win him over, and start a nice nest egg as she moved closer to her career aspirations becoming a reality. She couldn’t see any downside to the man’s proposal, other than not immediately signing a long-term contract.
“What do you think, Miss Jarrett? Are you willing to do this?”
“I am, sir. It will be a great pleasure to learn more about each one of your businesses at a personal level.”
The grin on his face broadened as he took a simple one-page document from a file folder, signed it with a flourish, then handed it to her. “This simply states you will complete any assigned tasks between now and the twenty-fourth of December, will share a report with me after each task, and will maintain a strict confidentiality policy regarding any company information you are privy to during your work in the next five months. In trade for that, you’ll receive five payments, the amount specified there,” he tapped the paper, “with the check I’ve already signed being the first. Also, I’ll put you in contact with someone who will oversee your tasks and report back to me. I trust you, Miss Jarrett, but let’s call it an insurance policy that both parties are