The Unexpected Encounter
The week flew by faster than Sunny could have imagined. His mind was buzzing with everything he had learned during his research. Every spare moment he had, he spent in the university library, buried in books and journals, learning everything he could about potential industries in Montana, as well as broader economic trends in the United States. He wasn't just preparing for his meeting with James Liebmann; he was building a foundation, ensuring that when the moment came, he could walk into it with confidence.
As the week came to a close, the day finally arrived. Sunny had spent the last few nights drafting notes and refining his thoughts on the potential for digital economies, the rise of gaming, and the future of industries being reshaped by the internet. He was ready.
He had kept his appointment with Geoffrey Gamble in mind—Geoffrey had introduced him to James Liebmann, and now, with a bit of nervous anticipation, Sunny had received the confirmation: the meeting was set for today.
James had reached out through Geoffrey's contacts, setting up a time and place to meet. Sunny was excited but also slightly apprehensive. The man he had imagined—the heir to the Cargill fortune—was someone he had pictured as a stoic, corporate type: middle-aged, reserved, polished, and suited up. But he had to remind himself that James wasn't just following in his family's footsteps. He was his own person, carving his own path.
The meeting spot was a local café near the university, one that had become Sunny's go-to spot for a quick coffee during his research sessions. He walked in, scanning the place, trying to find the person he had been preparing to meet for the past week.
And then, he saw him.
Sunny had been expecting someone who resembled a corporate executive, but James was anything but.
James Liebmann was young, not much older than Sunny, probably around his mid-twenties. He wore a t-shirt, a jeans jacket, and casual sneakers, all of it a stark contrast to the picture of the heir to one of the world's largest family-owned industries Sunny had built in his mind. His relaxed posture and laid-back attitude almost made him seem like he didn't belong in the world of business.
"Yo," James greeted Sunny with a wide grin, as if they were old friends meeting up.
Sunny stood still for a moment, not sure if he was in the right place. His mind was racing, and for a second, he thought about turning around. But then, James waved him over and smiled, clearly excited to meet him.
"Sunny, right? Sit down, man. You've been waiting long?" James asked casually as he motioned toward the chair across from him.
"No, no, just got here," Sunny responded, trying to shake off his surprise. He sat down, still adjusting to the shock of it all. This was the James Liebmann?
James didn't waste any time. He slid a coffee toward Sunny, offering him a warm smile. "I know you've been doing your research, so let's cut to the chase. What's on your mind, man? What's got you all worked up about finance?"
Sunny could feel the tension in his body begin to ease as they spoke casually. Despite the shock of James's casual demeanor, there was something about the way he spoke that made Sunny feel like they were on the same wavelength. It was easy to talk to James. In fact, the more they spoke, the more Sunny realized just how much they had in common.
"Well," Sunny began, "I'm interested in the future of industries. I've spent a lot of time looking at how the internet is changing business. The way I see it, the digital world, the internet, is the next frontier, especially with the rise of online media. It's going to change everything—the way we buy things, the way we work, even the way we interact. And businesses that don't adapt will be left behind."
James nodded enthusiastically, his eyes lighting up with genuine excitement. "Exactly! That's what I've been saying! But my family… they don't get it. They think all the traditional industries are going to last forever. You know, agriculture, manufacturing, energy—the old-school stuff. They just don't understand how the world is shifting."
Sunny tilted his head slightly. "Wait, so your family doesn't agree with your views on tech and the internet?"
James let out a frustrated laugh, rubbing his hand through his hair. "Nah, not at all. They're all about the old ways—play it safe, stay conservative, keep everything in the family. But me? I'm all about the future. I've been thinking a lot about creative media, entertainment, and technology. I want to build a company that merges all of those things—game development, content creation, digital media—something that can reach a huge audience, but also break the mold of what's been done before."
Sunny was genuinely surprised. It was incredible how much James's vision aligned with his own. He had assumed James would be more focused on traditional investments, given his family's background, but instead, it seemed James was driven by a much more progressive and unconventional mindset.
"So, you're saying you want to build a company around media and creative content? Not just stick to the old industries?" Sunny asked, curious to dig deeper into James's aspirations.
James grinned. "Exactly! I want to bring together the best talent from across the country—engineers, developers, storytellers, and artists—and create a new kind of company that focuses on digital entertainment. Games, films, virtual reality, the works. I think there's an incredible amount of untapped potential in all of those fields. But here's the kicker—my family's not on board. They don't see the value in creative media, especially not in the way I do. So, for now, I'm stuck with this small apartment and a tight budget, trying to make it all happen on my own."
Sunny's eyes widened, feeling a new sense of understanding for James's situation. Despite his family's wealth, James was essentially starting from scratch, without much financial support. He was passionate, determined, but struggling to get the resources needed to bring his vision to life.
"So, how are you going to get this off the ground?" Sunny asked, intrigued by the direction of the conversation.
James leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with determination. "I'm focusing on talent first. I'll find people who believe in the vision—people who want to build something new, something that disrupts the status quo. Once we have a team, we can start building prototypes, pitching to investors, and looking for outside funding. It's a long road, but it's one I'm willing to walk."
Sunny sat back, absorbing the magnitude of what James was trying to do. It was clear that he wasn't just trying to build a company for profit—he was trying to change an entire industry. But there were many hurdles to overcome.
"Well, if you need help finding people or ideas, I'm all in," Sunny said, feeling a sense of excitement building within him. "I've always believed in the power of the internet and digital media. I think you're on the right track."
James smiled. "Appreciate it, man. It's good to know there's someone else out there who gets it."
As the conversation wrapped up, James stood up, motioning for Sunny to follow him. "Come on, I'll show you my setup. It's not much, but it's home for now."
Sunny followed James through the café and up to a narrow flight of stairs that led to a small apartment on the top floor. It wasn't luxurious. In fact, it was pretty modest, with a couple of chairs, a small desk, and a very basic setup. But James had a vision—and that was what made the space feel alive, filled with potential.
"This is where I'm working on the plans," James said, walking over to a desk cluttered with papers, sketches, and designs for a new media project. "It's not much, but it's a start."
Sunny looked around the room, impressed by how much James had accomplished with so little. Despite the small space, it was clear that this apartment was more than just a place to sleep—it was where ideas were born.
"So, what's next for you?" Sunny asked, looking at the blueprints.
James smiled, full of determination. "Next? We build. We gather talent. We create. And eventually, we'll make the world see why the future lies in creative media. It's going to be a tough journey, but I believe it's the right one."
Sunny nodded, feeling a growing sense of respect for James. His journey was just beginning, but Sunny had no doubt that he was destined for something big. And for the first time in a while, Sunny felt like he was witnessing the start of something truly revolutionary.
With a new sense of purpose and excitement, Sunny left the apartment, his mind buzzing with the endless possibilities ahead.