Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 103

Dream Agency (3)

Setting up an agency required more work than I had anticipated.

I drafted new contracts with each of the players who had agreed to join, and officially signed a contract with Lee Ju-hyuk.

And today was finally the day to meet with the venture capital representatives.

It was an investment firm known for primarily investing in sports startups.

I arrived early and sat down with Lee Ju-hyuk at a nearby cafe.

We checked the details one last time to make sure there were no issues.

“Do you think this is good enough?”

I asked, placing the materials I had prepared on the table.

“I don’t think there’s anything more to add here,” Lee Ju-hyuk said with a smile.

“I’m learning something new again. It wasn’t that long ago that I was unfamiliar with writing reports.”

It hadn’t been long since I had become comfortable with typing.

As I took a sip of coffee and reflected, I was reminded of the moment I was preparing for the YJ Sports Agency interview.

That was almost a year ago already.

Only the location was different; the fact that I was facing new preparations was the same.

Unlike that day when I was alone, there were now many people with me.

*Tring-*

The smartphone on the table signaled that it was time to move.

“Ju-hyuk, shall we head over now?”

“Yes.”

Lee Ju-hyuk neatly packed the documents spread out on the table into his bag.

I drank the remaining coffee in one gulp and got up from my seat.

* * *

When I arrived at the investment firm and entered the conference room, guided by an employee, I was greeted by representatives with bright smiles.

“CEO Kang Hyun-woo, welcome.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kang Hyun-woo.”

I naturally exchanged handshakes with the representatives.

Thanks to that, I was able to check the information windows [a feature that shows a person’s thoughts or feelings] of the three representatives in advance and proceed with the meeting.

-Has a deep interest in the company Kang Hyun-woo will establish.

-Believes there is potential for rapid growth in a short period.

-Doubts whether Kang Hyun-woo possesses sufficient qualities as a company manager.

I was initially pleased that they viewed our company’s potential highly.

However, the thoughts of the person who doubted me stood out more.

It was true that I lacked experience, so it wasn’t strange to doubt whether I had the qualities of a manager.

“Please, have a seat.”

As soon as Lee Ju-hyuk and I sat down, the conversation began in earnest.

“We have thoroughly reviewed the preliminary materials you sent. They were meticulously written. Today, we would like to ask you about a few areas of interest.”

We had sent them materials in advance that explained our company and the work we planned to do.

“Please do.”

“Are the contracts with the players listed in the materials fully finalized? If there are any issues with the contracts later on, and these players are unable to join, the situation would change significantly, wouldn’t it?”

The value of the company would be determined by which players were affiliated with it.

The representative sitting on the left asked, checking the documents.

“Yes, the contracts with the players have been completed without any issues.”

“I understand that they were originally affiliated with YJ Sports Agency. There are no legal issues, are there?”

“This was done in consultation with YJ Sports Agency. There will be no problems.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I’m a well-known face; is there any reason for me to tell a simple lie that would be immediately exposed?”

“That’s true… but it’s hard to believe that a top domestic agency like YJ Agency would suddenly terminate contracts with these players. Especially since the season is in full swing. Are there any undisclosed issues with these players?”

The representative still seemed unsure, tilting his head and asking again.

“No, there are no such issues. I can guarantee it with everything I have.”

I could clear up the suspicion immediately by telling them about what happened recently, but I had promised Im Ye-ji not to disclose what happened internally.

“It’s a relief that there are no problems. It’s really exciting to start with these players.”

The representative who asked the question’s lips turned up slightly, as if he had finally received a satisfactory answer.

Immediately, the representative on the far right continued the conversation.

“Do you have plans to recruit other players within this year?”

“Of course. The more players an agency has, the more synergy can be generated among the players.”

“Since you were a player yourself, I assume you have a solid network with other professional players?”

The representative asked with an expectant expression.

“I know several players from my time as a player. And while working as an agent at YJ Agency, I’ve built up friendships with quite a few team officials.”

Upon hearing my answer, a faint smile appeared on his face as well.

“Are there any players you are considering recruiting additionally?”

“I haven’t had any specific discussions yet, but I plan to proceed with additional recruitment as soon as we start operating the company in earnest.”

“I see. Understood.”

The people who showed a favorable reaction to me in the information window were indeed responding positively.

Finally, the representative sitting in the middle, who had doubts about me, opened his mouth.

“I understand what you plan to do in the future. But I still have doubts about whether you can make enough money doing this. How do you plan to generate revenue?”

As the information window showed, it was a rather aggressive question.

“As I mentioned earlier, our agency is already working with excellent players. Go Ji-hoon is about to become a free agent [a player who is free to sign with any team] this year. Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju are also not far from meeting the free agency requirements. Not only those two, but other players are also realizing their potential and receiving high salaries. The agency fees and free agency contract fees we will receive from these players’ salaries alone will be more than enough to cover the revenue needed to run the company.”

“That may be a good source of revenue, but the agency has stated that it will do more than one or two things for amateur baseball players and non-starting players. Can you do all of that with that amount of money?”

The eyes of the representative in the middle were full of suspicion.

“Of course, making a lot of money right away is necessary, but achieving the values that our company seeks is more important than anything else. We have to make it happen no matter what.”

I answered without hesitation.

“Reading the materials, it seems like you’re not just contributing to domestic professional baseball, but considering it as a core business of the company. The company is an organization that exists to generate profits. Won’t these things interfere with the company’s operations if they become too numerous?”

“The reason I decided to establish and run an agency is for those activities. Therefore, if I don’t do that, there’s no reason for me to run the company.”

At my firm words, the expressions of the other representatives, who had been smiling until just now, darkened.

“From an investor’s perspective, we can’t help but consider the rate of return. But if the CEO, of all people, doesn’t make enough effort to maximize profits, it will be difficult to receive investment.”

I couldn’t help but understand the position of the investment firm representative.

But I couldn’t give up the important values I believed in because of that.

“The rate of return may not be high in the short term. But I am confident that the support and positive image we receive from people in the long run will ultimately exert a powerful force. Today, I am giving you the opportunity to be the first to invest in such a company.”

This answer also didn’t seem very satisfactory.

“Then how about we do this?”

The representative who was favorable to me continued the conversation, and I responded by making eye contact.

“Focus on the company’s sales and market expansion for now, and do the other activities after you’ve built up some recognition.”

At first glance, it seemed like a good idea.

If I just closed my eyes and agreed to receive the investment, I could go the easy way.

But unlike the worries in my head, a firm voice came out of my mouth.

“Will things change if we don’t do it now and wait until later? The situation won’t change if we postpone it for a while. What’s difficult to do now will be difficult to do later.”

“You seem to have such romantic ideas because you’re running a company for the first time, but operating the company according to your current plan won’t be realistic.”

The representative in the middle shook his head firmly.

I listened to his words and paused for a moment to think.

Then, a phrase came to mind.

“I believe that in order to be recognized as the best agent, we need to create results that go beyond what others expect, results that are on a different level. And I am confident that I am the person who can achieve that. I will find a way no matter what.”

Those words came out without me realizing it.

* * *

Even after worrying for a long time after the meeting with the investment firm, my thoughts did not change.

The reason I first decided to become an agent, and what kind of agent I want to become in the future, were no different.

It was to help players who are desperate and eager for baseball.

If I were to give up that value now, there would be no point in starting a new agency.

If I were going to do as the investment firm suggested, it would have been much easier to accept Sky Corporation’s offer.

But realistically, it was an unavoidable problem if I wanted to receive support from other people.

Then where should I get the money I need…

In the end, I turned to the last place that came to mind.

There, I gave another presentation.

After listening to my presentation, my father nodded.

“Are you confident you can do it until the end?”

“Of course.”

I answered without the slightest hesitation.

“…Then I’ll help you, so work hard.”

As soon as I heard my father’s answer, I turned my gaze to my mother.

“Mom, are you okay with it too…?”

“What can I do when my son wants to do it? I have to help him.”

I grabbed my mother’s and father’s hands.

“I will definitely do well.”

“Our retirement is all up to you now.”

My father said in a low voice.

“I will definitely repay you no matter what. With interest, of course.”

The next day, the money was deposited into my account.

With the combined support from my parents and a bank loan, I was able to secure a place that would serve as the players’ dormitory, training facility, and our company’s office space.