Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(145)

“The challenge is if there is a demand for the use of the software, and it increases beyond a certain point, which could happen rather quickly, the hosting company’s servers will be bogged down, causing them to run slowly; not to mention the potential security concerns. It would be better to create my own hosting company with my own servers and implement my own security software. That also makes the possibility to provide hosting and additional services as new streams of revenue, if I choose.”

I give Mr. and Mrs. Covelli a moment to process what I’ve said.

“My hesitancy to move forward is that I don’t have the funding to jump right into the ideal situation of having my own servers. I’m not interested in tying up a large portion of my cashflow. Raven Media has enough liquid cash to purchase either a building or the hardware needed outright as well as at least the first year’s worth of salaries, but not both and I’d like to minimize the use of a bank loan to do it.”

I wait a minute or two for Mr. or Mrs. Covelli’s response, but they just sit and nod their heads.

“My apologies. Did I offer too much information?”

“No, no, my dear,” Mr. Covelli sweetly returns. “I’m just factoring certain pieces in my head.”

Mrs. Covelli smiles as if she is doing the same.

“Oh, okay.”

“She literally knows every step that is required to move forward on this pretty quickly. She’s ahead of schedule already on the preliminary software,” Joe praises.

“It sounds like it,” Mr. Covelli concurs, looking pleased.

“Why don’t you just use the current server company and switch once you’re close to that point?” Mrs. Covelli investigates.

“To switch over to a whole new system can take from twenty-four to forty-eight hours to occur, leaving our company and our clients without any services or functionality during that time.”

“That’s a long time to not to conduct proper business,” Mr. Covelli states, showing his comprehension to the potential dilemma.

“Precisely,” I acknowledge.

“If you had the proper funding, how long would this all take to set up?” Mrs. Covelli inquires.

“Since the product is digital, it would all depend on how long it takes to to close on a property, deliver the needed hardware, set it up and hire additional staff. My current team and I should have the software finished before the end of the year . . . after testing and retesting, that is. The first round of testing will start just after Maggie’s and Henry’s wedding.”

“That quick?” Mr. Covelli says with a little surprise.

“They already have the basis for the software. They are just building out the functionality to make it more appealing as well as secure,” Joe includes.

“Interesting,” Mr. Covelli comments while Mrs. Covelli nods in agreement.

“Costs can be offset by placing the servers underground to help with the cooling along with adding or refurbishing the facility to be as green as possible,” Joe adds.

“They’ll be even lower with the new hardware company I have discovered. They use vacuum tubes which reduce the computing temperature significantly while simultaneously increase network speeds,” I mention.

“You didn’t tell me about that,” Joe teasingly stipulates.

“I know,” I playful contend. “I can’t share all of my secrets.”

Joe gives me a look from my statement which forces me to bite the inside of my lip to refrain from our little inside joke.

“Looks like another potential power couple,” Mrs. Covelli muses.


“Indeed,” Mr. Covelli agrees with a widening smile as he looks back and forth to Joe and me.

What does Mrs. Covelli mean by a power couple? Joe and I aren’t a couple.

“Do we have specs and numbers?” Mr. Covelli checks.

“Of course,” Joe returns with a smile. “And, I don’t doubt that they’ve improved with Emma’s discover of the new hardware.”

“I have them right here if you’d like to see them,” I offer, reaching into my purse, grab my attache and handing all three of them a copy.

After a few minutes of silence as they turn the pages to the five-page document, Joe announces with surprise, “You’ve reduced the initial cost by a quarter?”

Smiling, I nod and verify, “The initial investment in a green facility will pay for itself in less than a year, each of the states with properties you are considering offer tax incentives for green technology, and if my calculations are correct, we’ll be over producing power, allowing us to sell the additional energy back to the utility companies.”

“Wow!” Joe exclaims.

“Exciting,” Mrs. Covelli comments. She exchanges a few silent glances with her husband as if they are speaking some kind of code. I can’t make out what they may be saying and watching them is extremely fascinating.

‘Well . . .” Mr. Covelli begins. “Draw up the paperwork, Joseph, and we’ll get started immediately. Whatever is needed, we’ll make it happen. This will definitely be a beneficial investment. Congratulations to you both!”

A little nervous because I wasn’t expecting the Covellis to agree so quickly, my eyes dart back and forth to the three faces smiling at me. “Wait. What?” I stutter, revealing my shock.