Page 32 of The Duchess Effect
Another company had purchased Genesis? When had that happened?
Andrea had the same question.
“The acquisition has been in the works for more than six months,” Greg said.
So when they’d been here four months ago, Genesis had already been dealing with Parcellum, and Henry and his team had knownabout it? Shouldn’t they have disclosed that information to her? Didn’t she have the right to know who she was in business with?
“We have some amazing ideas about what you can do—”
Dani held up a hand. “You have ideas?”
She’d just learned these people would be a party to any deal she made with Genesis and now the fucker wanted to sharehisideas?
“Just a few things. Marketing pushes and ad campaigns. Strategies you can use to take your brand further. Packaging, commercials, that sort of thing.”
A few things? That was a hell of a lot!
Andrea pursed her lips. “Our partnership with Genesis was only going to involve increased manufacturing and distribution, expanded research and development capabilities, and the ability to expand into more retail doors and bigger markets. We would maintain control of day-to-day operations and they would certainly have nothing to do with product marketing.”
“That’s correct,” Greg said. “Mela-Skin is your company. How you want to run it, the direction you want to take it, the products you want to bring to market, that’s all up to you. And let me be clear, your contract would still be with Genesis. But Genesis is now a Parcellum holding. We’re investing a considerable amount of money. We expect to havesomesay.”
Dani blew out a breath and laid her palms flat on the table. “It’s a lot to take in. Mela-Skin has been my baby for a long time. I’m not interested in making a deal where anyone else’s input is more important than mine.”
“We understand. This isn’t our first time at the rodeo. We’ve dealt with other business owners who’ve felt similarly, but in the end, we always manage to come to an understanding. We all want what’s best for your company. Our focus is on giving Mela-Skin an optimal chance to grab its space in the marketplace.”
Dani pressed a hand to her chest. “That’s what I want, too.”
“Good.” Greg clapped his hands together. “Now that’s out of the way, are you interested in seeing what we’ve set up for Mela-Skin once you sign the contracts?”
“Of course,” Dani said, her posture thawing as they inched closer to finalizing the deal.
“This part I’ll turn over to Barbara.”
Barbara shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe he’d asked her, but she was nothing if not a professional. She stood and reached for the remote that controlled the screen.
“Thank you, Greg. Duchess, we’ll start with a press release announcing that we’re bringing Mela-Skin under the Genesis umbrella with all our other top-tier luxury brands. We’ll discuss the potential we see and how we plan to help you increase the scope of your customer base, as well as educate and enrich ours.”
Andrea nodded. “We like the sound of that.”
“We’ll follow that up with an in-person launch party that we’ll also live stream. We’ll invite beauty industry insiders and influencers and make it glamorous, sexy, and unforgettable, like you.”
Barbara was smiling but it wasn’t genuine, and Dani couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman was bracing herself.
For what?
“I love a party,” Dani said, trying to reclaim her earlier enthusiasm.
“And this will be a great one, with you and Prince Jameson as the guests of honor.”
Bloop, there it was.
“You and Prince Jameson as the guests of honor.”
Dani frowned. The agreement she and Jameson made aside, why would Parcellum invite Jameson as a guest of honor? The company, the products, the launch—they were all hers.Sheshould be the guest of honor, not him.
Slow your roll, Dani. Maybe it’s the royalty thing. You’ve seen people and the press in America lose their minds over that angle of the story.
“We’ll also produce tutorials showing the major beauty influencers using your products. We think several of you talking about your favorites will do well online.” Barbara paused a beat before continuing. “Prince Jameson could give his insights, as well.”