Annika looked around at Julie's study, nodding in approval.
"Not a bad set up. I have no idea what half this stuff does, but not a bad set up."
Julie grinned.
"My electronic equipment collection," she said. "I feel so computer nerdish."
Annkia giggled and Julie started up her computer.
"This folder," Julie pointed, after she was able to pull it up, "has all my website stuff."
"Hey have you thought any more about starting up an ecommerce site?"
"Well, I looked into it. I could probably program it and everything, but then there is the matter of maintaining and running it," Julie looked forlorn. "Between running the other website stuff, and looking after two sets of twins... I just don't have the time to find suppliers and send put packages and stuff, y'know? I mean, getting into something like that is a huge time commitment."
Annika chewed her lip thoughtfully.
"Could you set it up so that someone who is computer literate, but not necessarily technical could run it? Y'know, putting in new products, taking down old ones, updating prices, so on and so forth?"
"Uhh, yeah, I think so," Julie replied curiously. "Why?"
"Well... you said awhile back that although you're getting donations you couldn't live off them, and you'd like to go into ecommerce, but haven't the time. I need a job, and if nothing else I have the business skills to take care of that side," Annika said, then paused. "Okay, in theory I have the business skills. I studied it in high school, and I even managed to get away with doing a course at the local community collage. Not much hands on. But I could do it, and what I don't know now, I could learn."
"Annika I..." Julie broke off, regarded her friend tentatively, then spoke up again. "I couldn't hire you. Any joint venture like this between us would have to be a partnership."
Julie held out her hand. Annika grinned, took it and they shook.
"Of course, this means we'll have to get another computer for you to use," Julie said, considering the matter. "We couldn't really share mine. I have this cash reserve that's been getting lower and lower, but you have to spend money to make money."
"Don't worry," Annika cut in. "I have money too. There are certain advantages to being on welfare, and living with mom. She's so thrifty I wouldn't blame anyone for describing her as plain, outright stingy!"
Julie grinned.
"Okay hopefully we'll have enough between us to cover your computer, and uhh..."
"Opening stock?"
"Yeah that."
"And probably instead of a partnership, we should just start a private company," Annika said. "That way if anything goes wrong - and I'm not saying anything will - we personally won't be liable."
Julie blinked and looked at her.
"Okay, uhh, first matter of business," she said. "You look after the business side, and I'll look after the technical side. Because obviously each of us grasps our area of expertise way, way better than we understand the other."
Annika chuckled.
"Deal."
"I'll just trust you to make us financially secure, and you can trust me to make us cyberly secure."
"Cyberly secure," Annika giggled.
"You'd be surprised."
"I'm sure I would. Okay, so your online game is the biggest part - and the biggest selling part - of your website."
"Yep. And it's what I get donations for."
"Okay, so we should start there. Themed shirts, maybe mugs, hats. Oooh, start a survey to see what things your players would like to have. I'm afraid I was never able to play the game - dial up sucks."
"No kidding. So you haven't played it?"
"No. But now I can," Annika smiled, "and maybe I'll get some more ideas."
"Dude... sit," Julie said, standing up and gesturing to her seat.
Annika sat, looking at Julie in surprise as Julie pressed a few buttons.
"If we're going to be working together, you're going to have to play the game. There are no ifs, buts, or whats about it."
Annika grinned.
"If you insist," she said.
"I do."
"Oooh, love the opening sequence."
"Thanks. Okay what you do is..."