Black Label [EN]: Chapter 39

39. Opportunity, Opportunity, Opportunity

Every time I pressed the ‘F5’ button on the keyboard, the number in the real-time sales column kept climbing.

Before long, I received a call from Kim Min-hyuk.

– Jaeseung, the site traffic has almost tripled compared to usual! At this rate, it’s really….

Jaeseung couldn’t hear the end of Kim Min-hyuk’s words, thanks to the excited tone of Nam Gwang-min, a new employee in charge of organizing and printing order details, who was speaking beside him.

“I think we need to place another order right away! At this rate, we’ll definitely sell out before midnight!”

Jaeseung nodded and asked Kim Min-hyuk over the phone.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you clearly. What did you say?”

– Amazing….

“Pardon?”

– The reaction, I mean, it’s ‘amazing’!

Amazing.

It was a word that neatly and clearly expressed the reaction to the new paint jeans.

* * *

At 9 PM, the office after the storm felt like a disaster zone. Packaging materials, tape, and cardboard scraps were scattered all over the floor.

“Hoo….”

Jaeseung, slumped in his chair, turned to look at the employees.

Sitting side by side on the sofa in front of the side table, they looked like ‘baby birds’ as they finished their late dinner.

“This sweet and sour pork is delicious.”

“Where did you order it from?”

“Beijing Pavilion?”

“We should always order from here from now on.”

Despite the fact that it was long past the designated quitting time, the employees didn’t complain at all.

Jaeseung, who had been silently watching them, got up and quietly spoke.

“Is there enough? I can order more if you want.”

“Ah, it’s okay!”

Jaeseung nodded a few times, clapped his hands once, and continued in a polite tone.

“There may be frequent situations where overtime is inevitable, like today. I will definitely calculate and provide additional allowances, so please understand.”

The larger the scale, the more frequent these things would be. He figured it would be best to clarify these points and ask for their understanding.

Soon, the employees began to answer cheerfully, as if they had promised, “Yes!”

Having to work overtime like eating rice is common for design departments in large companies.

Additional allowance? That’s just a pipe dream. In most cases, they force endurance under the pretext of hiring regular employees.

In a friendly atmosphere, Jaeseung also started eating.

The moment Jaeseung picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork.

Choo Ji-hoon, a 23-year-old on leave from Hongshin University, carefully observed the atmosphere and spoke up.

“Um, Mr. CEO.”

“Yes?”

“Seungwoo, you know.”

Yu Seung-woo, a part-timer in charge of logistics and delivery-related tasks. He was the youngest employee, having just turned twenty.

Of course, he was a year older than Jaeseung.

Jaeseung chewed on the sweet and sour pork, nodding to encourage him to continue.

“I happened to overhear while packing products together today, he said he used to be a webzine reporter.”

“A reporter? Really?”

“Yes. He has been working as a reporter for the fashion webzine ‘Rapperz’ since he was seventeen….”

Jaeseung turned his head and asked Yu Seung-woo.

“Seungwoo, is that true?”

“Yes? Yes….”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I thought it was a bit much to list it as a career….”

‘I felt it during the interview, but he’s definitely a very shy person.’ Jaeseung, lost in thought for a moment, smiled and asked back.

“Then you can do basic filming, right?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. If it’s a basic level….”

“From now on, Seungwoo will take the product photos.”

“Yes….”

The moment Yu Seung-woo asked back in surprise, Jaeseung picked up another piece of sweet and sour pork and said.

“Anyway, I’m planning to entrust the model shots to a professional photographer. Taking simple product photos is something Seungwoo can handle sufficiently, right?”

“That’s true, but….”

“Are you saying you don’t like it? I’m telling you just in case, but you will of course receive additional allowance for that. If you still don’t like it, then I can’t help it….”

Just as Jaeseung was about to continue speaking.

“No! No! Absolutely! There’s no way I would dislike it!”

Yu Seung-woo shook his hands violently and answered. He didn’t dislike it at all. He was just so surprised to be given the opportunity so suddenly.

Jaeseung nodded a few times and said.

“That’s a relief. Then, please organize and hand over the list of necessary items by the end of tomorrow.”

“A list of necessary items?”

“Cameras or related equipment. The lighting setup is also roughly made, so it needs to be fixed. If you organize it and hand it over, I’ll order it right away tomorrow.”

“Th, thank you!”

“It’s company property anyway, so what’s there to be thankful for? If it’s really necessary, write it down without worrying about the price.”

Some employees blinked in surprise at Jaeseung’s firm decision.

On the other hand, Jaeseung was thinking quite simply.

‘It’s a good thing. I should buy it now.’

He was still borrowing UK’s [likely a person’s name, not the country] DSLR camera to take product photos. He was planning to buy one anyway, but thanks to Yu Seung-woo, he was able to buy it without much difficulty.

Also, as the number of tasks he is in charge of increases, his affection for the company and solidarity may increase.

At that time, Lee Kang-joon said with a faint smile.

“Mr. CEO, you’re so cool.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s why I like it.”

An unexpected and sudden confession.

When Jaeseung frowned slightly without realizing it, Lee Kang-joon shook his hand and explained.

“No! No! It’s not that I have other intentions, but I’ve never worked under someone like you before.”

Soon, other employees nodded in agreement and started adding, “That’s right.”

Small Dongdaemun [a famous fashion district in Seoul] stores, large company design departments, and other new designer brands are the same. There are not many places that worry about or care about the welfare of employees.

Most companies easily rationalize all unreasonable actions with just one word, ‘custom’ [meaning tradition or established practice].

‘I know it well too.’

Because he knew it well, he was trying to pay more attention. He needs talented employees who have an attachment to Wall Flower. Talented employees who can be trusted with overall tasks.

Of course, he was of the opinion that such talented employees could never be obtained for free.

You have to plant seeds, water them, and nurture them with care. That’s why he had one amazing idea that he had devised in advance.

“Design team members.”

At Jaeseung’s words, several design team employees stopped eating and stared at Jaeseung.

“I heard from the person in charge of the Cubacuba online select shop today that the site traffic has tripled.”

“Wow, amazing.”

“It was worth selling out on the same day.”

When the employees responded excitedly, Jaeseung shook his head and answered.

“When new products from famous street brands are in stock, it sometimes increases tenfold, so it’s not an unusual case. It’s just that the response was not bad for a new designer brand.”

Jaeseung got up from his seat and stood in front of the whiteboard on the wall.

“Feel free to eat while listening. Now that the manpower has been replenished, there will be no more releasing one or two new products at a time.”

“Yes? Then….”

In response to Lee Kang-joon’s question with anticipation, Jaeseung shrugged his shoulders and answered.

“From the next product line, I’m thinking of producing products in the same way as other brands. Create a ‘Look Book’, have a definite variety, and release it according to the season.”

Look Book

It was a booklet that neatly organized the clothes that a brand had prepared for the season.

It was a part that showed the will to release clothes systematically.

Jaeseung picked up a marker pen and started writing on the whiteboard.

Swish swish-!

– On Wall Flower Way

Soon, Jaeseung continued to speak fluently with the marker pen in his hand.

“This is the main title of the products to be presented in this ‘S/S (Spring/Summer)’ season. It’s difficult right now, but I will set clear concepts and detailed settings such as fabrics during the week and hand them over to the design team staff.”

At Jaeseung’s words, Lee Kang-joon and other design team employees widened their eyes.

At least they knew what the meaning of what Jaeseung was trying to say now.

He’s trying to give them a chance.

The opportunity for their designs to be reborn as clothes. The opportunity for their names to be included in a brand’s look book as the designer’s name.

“You may not have enough 24 hours a day, but it would be good to make time to challenge yourself somehow. If the design is selected, I will put your name on the ‘Look Book’. Of course, I will also pay bonuses.”

Lee Kang-joon raised his hand and asked carefully.

“Mr. CEO, how many types of designs are you planning to select at most?”

“For reference, I am confident that I can fill the ‘Look Book’ with only the designs I have devised myself.”

“Pardon?”

“It means that I can’t select it unless it’s a really good design. If there are many good designs, I will select them all, but if the opposite is true, I may not be able to select even one. I hope that Wall Flower’s look book is not full of my designs.”

Just as the employees were looking at Jaeseung with quite serious expressions, Jaeseung spoke plainly.

“Everyone, think hard, so that I can give you even a small opportunity.”

Soon, the design team employees all answered vigorously with eyes full of different colors.

“Yes, I understand!”

“Yes!”

Jaeseung nodded slightly as if satisfied, returned to his seat, and said slyly.

“Was I talking too long? Everyone, eat quickly. The noodles are all bloated.”

* * *

After that, life seemed to fit the saying that 24 hours a day was not enough.

First of all, ‘Rider Jacket’ and ‘Cotton T-shirt’ were additionally stocked in the online select shop.

Even though the paint jeans’ big banner sale event ended, Wall Flower’s average daily sales were around three million won [approximately $2,500 USD].

If you exclude the cost of fabric, subsidiary materials, factory labor costs, Cubacuba store fees, employee salaries, and office operating expenses, etc.

It’s not a huge amount, but it’s definitely not a small amount.

“Kkuaaaa-.”

Jaeseung stretched out and got up from his seat. Even though it was long past quitting time, all the design team employees were still at their seats.

The frequent overtime work of employees was never by coercion. It was one of the winds of change that had blown into the office.

“Aren’t you all going home?”

At Jaeseung’s question, Lee Kang-joon smiled awkwardly and answered quietly.

“Yes. We decided to work overtime together today.”

“Are you very busy?”

“No. It’s about the opportunity you gave us, Mr. CEO. Everyone is trying to grab it.”

‘It seems to be a good motivation. Giving opportunities to those who have skills. In fact, in a way, it’s a very natural measure.’

“Then what about sleep?”

“There’s a mattress in the office. The heating is good and it’s not uncomfortable.”

It was good to see them volunteering for overtime, but Lee Kang-joon and Nam Gwang-min, who lived too far to walk home, were the problem.

The two often took naps on the office mattress and then went back to work.

‘I should get them an officetel [a studio apartment, often used as both an office and a residence].’

Jaeseung nodded and answered.

“Sorry for leaving first, I have an appointment today.”

“Ah! It’s okay.”

“Then everyone, have a good time.”

As soon as he stepped out of the office while receiving greetings from the employees, he could find Youngguk waiting in front.

He was watching a video posted on the online video streaming site ‘Utube’ [likely a typo of YouTube] on his smartphone.

“What are you watching?”

“Huh? Are you done?”

“Yeah.”

“This is Locke.”

“Game?”

“Yeah. This player is Venom, a player who’s been rising recently. He’s really good.”

“Really? Have you eaten?”

“No, not yet.”

“Then let’s go eat.”

Youngguk, who couldn’t go in and out of the office as before after the office was equipped. Naturally, the frequency of meetings had to decrease.

He had been worried about it one way or another, but he called Youngguk out for a meal thanks to the early completion of work after a long time.

Just as Jaeseung was about to get on the elevator with Youngguk.

Ziiiiing-.

The smartphone in his pocket began to vibrate fiercely. Jaeseung took out his smartphone and checked the caller.

‘What’s going on?’

It was a call from Kim Min-hyuk, the person in charge of the Cubacuba select shop. Jaeseung raised his palm to Youngguk and immediately pressed the receive button.

“Hello?”

– Jaeseung, are you available to talk right now?

“Yes. Go ahead.”

– It’s not that, but I think I’ve brought in a Mr. Park?

“Pardon? Mr. Park? What do you mean….”

– Do you know the brand ‘Hip’s Board’?

“Hip’s Board? Isn’t it a skateboard brand?”

At Jaeseung’s question, Kim Min-hyuk on the other end of the phone asked back in a very gentle tone.

– That’s right. You know that ‘Hip’s Board’ is also a brand that is listed in the ‘Other Items’ section of our online store, right?

Originally, in the case of select shops specializing in street clothing, it was common to handle various items derived from street culture, such as magazines, skateboards, and fixed gear bikes. The same was true for the Cubacuba online select shop.

“Ah, yes. I think I’ve seen it a few times.”

– They said they want to work with you.”

“Pardon?”

Just as Jaeseung asked back in surprise. Kim Min-hyuk paused for a moment and added again on the other end of the phone.

– They want to do a collaboration with Wall Flower. Definitely.