Capítulo 33: Warehouse
Active Quest
Mission: You're A Prodigy Act Like It
Description: Reach a specific view count on your latest song and craft five outstanding tracks within a week to showcase your prodigious talent.
Create 5: +50 rated songs (Incomplete) (4 Days Remaining) (2 Remaining)
Achieve Three Million Listeners (Incomplete) (Current: 2,222,812)
Rewards:
Music Inspiration Package
60-85 Rated Song Structure
"Its Time To Go Viral" <Limited Status> (Current Fame and Buzz Reaches that of a mainstream Artist for a limited time period)
"How great progress is."
Arell couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as he reviewed the progress he had made in such a short time.
Two days had passed since his studio session with Maya, and he was already down to just two remaining songs to complete his Quest. The following day after Maya left, he had spent time in the studio again, working on 'Who's This Girl' and beginning, 'Whatever She Wants' which was rated 76 when completed.
Arell sat back in his chair, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he reflected on the whirlwind of progress he had made. With just two songs left to craft for his second Active Quest, he was feeling pretty good about how things were shaping up.
'Man, things are going good.' he thought to himself, tapping his fingers on the armrest.
Since he had four days left and only two songs to go, Arell decided to take a well-deserved break from the studio today. Kenny and Malik had mentioned hitting up a club later in the evening, and he figured it wouldn't hurt to join them for a bit of fun.
Just as Arell was about to shoot Kenny a quick text confirming his plans to join them at the club, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Geoffrey, whose timing seemed impeccable.
"Hey, Geoffrey," Arell greeted as he answered the call, a curious expression on his face.
"Arell," Geoffrey's smooth voice came through the line. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
"Nah, just about to make plans for the evening." Arell replied, leaning back in his chair.
"Well, I've been making some moves on the clothing line front," Geoffrey explained, his tone confident. "I'm currently in talks with graphic artists and suppliers, and I need you to come to a meeting in a few hours. We're going over designs, production plans, and we need to talk about costs."
"Today?" Arell echoed, a hint of hesitation in his voice as he glanced at the clock. He had been looking forward to hanging out with Kenny and Malik, but it seemed like plans were taking an unexpected turn.
"Yeah, today," Geoffrey affirmed, his tone carrying an air of determination. "I understand you might have other plans, but this meeting is crucial for moving forward with the clothing line. We need to stay on track."
Arell mulled over Geoffrey's words for a moment, torn between his desire for a night out and the importance of staying focused on his budding career.
"Yeah, I get it," Arell conceded, nodding to himself. "I'll be there."
"Good," Geoffrey replied, his voice firm yet understanding. "Remember, the moment you decide to put off business and your career today is the moment you decide to put it off tomorrow, is the moment you put if off for the next week, next month and next year. Consistency is key Arell, don't get distracted."
Arell let out a sigh, the weight of Geoffrey's words sinking in. "Alright," he relented, a tinge of disappointment coloring his tone.
"Good, also, we're in need of some serious capital to get this off the ground," Geoffrey continued, his voice taking on a more business-like tone. "Based on the estimates for production costs and the quantity of clothing we need to produce to turn a profit, we're looking at a substantial investment."
Geoffrey's voice resonated with a blend of assurance and strategic planning as he delved into the details of their impending clothing line venture. Arell listened attentively, absorbing every nugget of information Geoffrey provided like a sponge.
As Geoffrey outlined the financial landscape, he peeled back the layers of securing a loan, exposing Arell to the intricate world of interest rates, credit scores, and projected expenses. Arell's mind raced with possibilities, the weight of the venture settling firmly on his shoulders.
"So, how do we go about getting the loan?" Arell inquired, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and determination.
"We'll need to craft a robust business plan, one that paints a clear picture of our projected expenses, revenue streams, and growth strategy. Potential lenders need to see that we're serious and have a solid plan in place."
Arell nodded, mentally cataloging the information for future reference. "Got it," he replied, his tone brimming with confidence.
Their conversation meandered into the realm of preparation. Geoffrey stressed the importance of being ready to seize opportunities, particularly when Arell's quest rewards started rolling in. Arell's eyes widened with understanding as Geoffrey elucidated how crucial it was to have music and announcements ready to capitalize on the momentum.
"Yeah, I see what you're saying," Arell affirmed, his mind already spinning with ideas. "I'll make sure I'm prepared to hit the ground running when the time comes."
"That's the spirit, Arell. Preparation is key to success."
Geoffrey's voice carried a weight of assurance and guidance as he continued, "Now, Arell, it's time to start thinking about drafting up an album."
Arell, taken aback by the sudden shift in focus, leaned forward, his brows furrowed in surprise. "Already, Maya mentioned it…but are you sure?" he questioned, his tone betraying a hint of uncertainty.
From the other end of the line, Geoffrey's smooth voice remained unwavering. "Yes, already. It's never too early to start planning ahead. Getting a head start on your album will give you a solid foundation to build upon."
Processing Geoffrey's words, Arell hesitated for a moment, considering the implications. "But with everything else going on—the label, the clothing line—won't I be spread too thin?"'
Geoffrey's response was prompt, exuding confidence. "Not at all, Arell. I have Aisha, Malik, Kenny, and Devon helping me and when we've got a steady flow of income we'll look into hiring a team. They'll handle the day-to-day operations, leaving you free to focus on your music."
Arell nodded slowly, a sense of reassurance settling over him. "I guess you're right. I just want to make sure I'm available for anything important."
Understanding Arell's concern, Geoffrey adopted a tone of understanding. "And you will be, Arell. I'll make sure to keep you in the loop and include you in any major decisions. But for now, your primary focus should be on crafting exceptional music. Trust me, everything else will fall into place."
With Geoffrey's guidance and the unwavering support of his friends, Arell felt a renewed sense of purpose. "Alright," he affirmed.
Geoffrey's voice, steady and composed, broke the momentary silence. "Arell, there's more we need to discuss."
Arell, intrigued by Geoffrey's tone, leaned in closer, ready to absorb whatever information his mentor had to impart.
"Several labels have reached out to me," Geoffrey revealed, his words punctuated with significance. "They've expressed interest in signing you."
"Which ones?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"One of them is Rich Gang," Geoffrey disclosed, his tone laced with gravity. "They've been keeping an eye on you, of course this is expected, after the video of Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan."
Geoffrey nodded, acknowledging Arell's response. "Indeed. And there are others as well. Labels like Atlantic Records and Arista Records have also expressed interest."
Arell processed the information, his mind already set on a different path. While the prospect of being signed by major labels was undoubtedly enticing, he had already made up his mind about his future trajectory.
"Interesting," he murmured.
"It won't do us any harm to entertain these offers. There's always room for partnerships or distribution deals, even as we move forward with our own label."
Arell nodded, acknowledging Geoffrey's point. "You're right. It's all about keeping our options open."
Geoffrey's voice took on a note of finality. "We'll discuss this further at the meeting. There are a few more things we need to cover."
"Alright," Arell replied. "Just text me the location, and I'll be there."
With that, they exchanged farewells, and Arell ended the call. Leaning back in his chair, he took a moment to collect his thoughts before shooting a quick text to Kenny and Malik, letting them know he wouldn't be able to make it to the club tonight.
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Warehouse
Atlanta
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The Warehouse in Atlanta buzzed with activity as Arell arrived for the meeting with Geoffrey.
Geoffrey was already there, engaged in conversation with a group of people near a stack of fabric rolls. As Arell approached, he could see that they were deep in discussion about design concepts and production logistics.
"Hey, Arell," Geoffrey greeted with a nod as he noticed him approaching. "Glad you could make it."
"Hey, Geoffrey," Arell replied, returning the nod. "No problem, I'm here."
Geoffrey motioned for Arell to join the group, introducing him to the graphic artists and suppliers they would be working with. Arell exchanged pleasantries with each of them, taking in the creative energy that permeated the space.
"We've been going over various design concepts for the clothing line," Geoffrey explained, gesturing towards the sketches and fabric swatches spread out on the nearby table. "From logos and graphics to color schemes and fabric choices."
Arell nodded, scanning the designs with interest. Each concept seemed to capture a different facet of style, from bold and edgy to sleek and minimalist.
"In terms of production schedules," Geoffrey continued, "we've mapped out a timeline that aligns with our target launch date. We'll need to finalize designs within the next two weeks to allow ample time for manufacturing and quality control."
Arell listened attentively as Geoffrey outlined the timeline, mentally noting the milestones they would need to hit to stay on track.
"Now, let's talk about costs," Geoffrey said, turning his attention to Arell.
"Alright, let's break down the costs," Geoffrey continued, his tone businesslike yet approachable. "First, we have materials."
He glanced at the spreadsheets in front of him before continuing. "Based on our estimates, we're looking at approximately $10,000 for materials alone. Of course, this can vary depending on the specific fabrics and embellishments we choose for each design."
Moving on to manufacturing, Geoffrey explained, "For manufacturing, we're estimating around $20,000. This includes everything from hiring a our supplier to cover the costs of production, labor, and overhead expenses like rent and utilities for their facility."
Geoffrey then shifted his focus to shipping. "Once the garments are manufactured, they'll need to be shipped to distribution centers or directly to customers. Shipping costs can vary depending on factors such as weight, distance, and shipping method."
He calculated the shipping expenses, stating, "We're looking at approximately $5,000 for shipping. This includes both domestic and international shipping fees, as well as any additional charges for expedited shipping if necessary."
Finally, Geoffrey addressed marketing. After a moment of calculation, he provided the estimated marketing budget. "For marketing, we're budgeting around $10,000. This will cover expenses such as influencer fees, ad placements, and content creation for social media platforms."
Geoffrey looked up from the documents, meeting Arell's gaze. "Altogether, we're looking at an initial investment of approximately $45,000 to get the clothing line off the ground. It's a significant sum, but I believe it's necessary to ensure the success of our venture."
Arell nodded, taking in the figures. While the investment was substantial, he understood the importance of allocating resources properly to achieve their goals.
Arell absorbed the financial breakdown, nodding thoughtfully as Geoffrey outlined the costs. "Thanks for breaking it down," he said, his tone appreciative. "It helps to see everything laid out like this."
Geoffrey nodded in acknowledgment before Arell continued, "So, how do we go about securing the loan? And what are we going to use as collateral or assurance for the lenders?"
Geoffrey leaned back, considering the question. "Securing a loan will require presenting a comprehensive business plan to potential lenders. We'll need to demonstrate a clear understanding of our market, our projected revenue streams, and our strategy for growth."
He paused briefly before adding, "As for collateral, we can offer the clothing line itself as an asset. The inventory, equipment, and intellectual property associated with the brand can serve as collateral to secure the loan."
Arell nodded in understanding, mentally mapping out the steps they needed to take. "Got it. So, we'll need to put together a solid business plan and then start reaching out to lenders?"
"Exactly," Geoffrey affirmed. "We'll need to approach banks, financial institutions, and potentially investors to secure the necessary funding. It's crucial to present our case persuasively and confidently to maximize our chances of success."
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