Chapter 371 - What is it you want? (5)

6 May, LY Studio, City K

Lexi, as she headed to her retail director's office seriously started to consider telling the truth about Dominic. Stop this ongoing manipulation, and deal with them once and all. The only problem would be the fight to get the shares back into her control. But she had to think about Dominic. He had this battle ahead of him and changing his reality could have impacts on his willingness to fight. That was something she could not do. She needed him to survive, because in the end he was the one good thing her marriage protected.

Knocking as she opened the door she said "Karen, we need to talk…"

"Boss," came the reply from Karen, "you are in control. How can I help you?"

Shaking her head Lexi said "You make me sound like a slave owner…"

"No, just a nervous business owner. Stop stressing out. I dealt with the problem with the retail store in Paris, just two people squabbling over the same dress. Neither are VIP customers and we have banned for six months from our physical stores. We do not need situations like that in the stores. I am glad you are here though, I wanted to talk to you about your expansion."

"You think I have made too many moves too quickly?"

"Just the opposite boss. You made the right decision initially, establishing yourself in Europe, which drew the elites from countries here in Asia to desire your brand, before opening stores here. I know why we focused on opening stores here, and in Singapore, but we seriously need to consider China as demand is exploding there. My initial thoughts were Beijing, Shanghai and possibly Hong Kong, but that would be…"

"No, it will not be up to me, you are the one handling the retail decisions."

"All I want is your OK to look at markets in various nearby countries. I have an idea for headlining a new collection, as I was having a wander around the design studio and spotted your handiwork in the qipao design. It is reminiscent of the designs that won you your initial awards and launched the business, taking the European interpretation of a traditional Asian design and reinterpreting it for an Asian market while fusing in European design elements. We could use that as part of our marketing for the launch into China. The only question is how long before you are ready to use it, so I know how long I have to secure locations, outfit shops, organise staff and commence the marketing campaign."

"How long is the minimum?"

"Once I find the right sites, say eight to ten weeks. I will bring in staff from other stores to work aside local hires until we are happy, they can maintain the standards we want for staff."

Lexi paused before adding "Go for it, if that is what you think will be the best. I trust you to make the right decisions, otherwise I would never have recruited you."

"Positive praise Boss, but that is not why you sort me out."

"Am I that transparent?"

Karen shook her head before adding "Not always boss. When it comes to major decisions regarding the business you seek out staff to discuss matters when you are conflicted. That is because you respect our opinions and trust us to give you advice that will be the best for the business and our jobs. That is why those of us who could relocate agreed to do so when you made the choice to return home from Europe." There was a couple of seconds pause before Karen added "Plus you pay us well…"

Lexi laughed, picking up a silk scarf from the desk before tossing it at Karen. "Sometimes I wonder why I do."

"As I said boss you respect and trust us. You know with over twenty-five years in fashion management I could have gone anywhere and demanded a huge salary, but instead I accepted you offer. I saw things in you that I knew this would be the right job for me, including things you do not even recognise. Your respect and caring for everyone working for you, which has not changed from your early stages to now; your willingness to take risks with staff and acknowledge everyone's own efforts. I could go on about the reasons, but the fact that multiple members of the design team have been offered huge money to go elsewhere but refused says it all. It is more than a job and loyalty; they are part of your extended family. So, what is the issue?"

"I have been thinking. You all know the reason I wanted to return…"

"That angel that is your son. He is so cute, and from all our discussions I understand why you had to leave to start with."

"Yes, Dominic. But he has made me realise that I am too focused on controlling design and manufacturing which takes me away from him and means I cannot focus on design as much as I would like. I am seriously considering appointing people to take over that, allowing me to have focus on the overall business and design."

"Do not even think about going externally boss. You have staff already in place that are in effect doing that. Formally appoint them, but can I make a suggestion. The growth is such that I think you need to appoint a general manager to facilitate coordination between retail, design, and manufacturing. That will take stress from you, allow you to focus on what you want, but still stay in control."

Lexi paused and said, "Food for thought, but we need to look at a few things if that is what we are going to do."

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