Chapter 24: Investor Requirements

When the conversation reached this point, it was time to reveal one's hand.

Carter glanced at Melissa, who was eating heartily beside him, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up.

"If you ask me what I want to do, it's definitely to invest. It's only natural to want to get involved and have a share when you're convinced about the future of this industry, right?"

"Normal, perfectly normal! I'll tell you, six years ago, I also saw the future of business aviation and finally decided to invest 2 million dollars to buy Gulfstream from Grumman. But your understanding of the market prospects is even more thorough than mine. Young man, you're not simple!" Paulson laughed heartily, looking at Carter with a newfound respect. He treated Carter as an equal, not touching the food on the table, just looking straight at Carter.

"Choosing our Gulfstream as your target to enter the industry, I feel very honored. Last year, I happened to increase my investment and bought the production line of GA aircraft from Grumman, preparing to independently develop the third generation of Gulfstream. The situation now is not bad. It is expected that we will be able to conduct a trial flight by the end of this year. If you have time, you are welcome to attend our inaugural ceremony."

"Thank you, I will definitely come if I have time."

Carter nodded, nervously awaiting Paulson's next words.

Talking about investment business seemed a bit reckless. But Carter hadn't been directly involved in investing in a company before in his past life; he had no experience. And today, he happened to meet Paulson, the boss. In the midst of their conversation, he decided to be straightforward and reveal his intentions: he wanted to give you money in exchange for your shares. What do you say?

"Hahaha, then should you leave your contact address with me? How else will I notify you later? Carter, I'm a straightforward person, I like your candor. To be frank, I don't reject investment."

"Six years ago, I invested 2 million dollars, and last year I bought the production line and subsequent research and development investments from Grumman. The financial situation of Gulfstream is not actually very good now. The balance is barely maintained. You can see the future of the general aviation market, and you should also see the current market downturn. Although it does not have a significant impact on the truly high-end business jet market, there will be some impact."

Hearing this, Carter couldn't help but feel excited. Even Melissa, who was eating beside them and not interested in their conversation, couldn't help but raise her head to listen.

It seemed like his older brother could become the owner of this aircraft company in the future? This is an aircraft company, it sounds really high-end!

But Paulson poured cold water on Carter's excitement with his next words.

"Not refusing investment doesn't mean I'll accept it indiscriminately. Every investor is a deep cooperation partner of a company. Carter, how old are you this year? Probably not even 20, right? I don't know if investing in Gulfstream is your own decision or your family's decision behind you. But regardless of which one, you have to let me know what you or your family can bring to Gulfstream."

After saying this, Paulson couldn't help but take out a cigarette, light one, and push the cigarette box to Carter. Carter also took one without hesitation. When discussing business, fewer cigarettes always made Carter feel like something was missing.

"Is it more customer resources, public relations, or critical technology, or superb management experience that can improve Gulfstream's efficiency? Without these, I'm afraid no potentially successful company would be willing to accept your investment."

"Now Gulfstream is not as good as Delta's large company, but since you believe in Gulfstream, I'll be frank about my ambitions. I also believe that Gulfstream's future is bright. In this case, money becomes secondary."

"Even if there's a temporary lack of funds, I can get a loan. There's simply no need to reduce my share. I can get the funds I need by exchanging future, greater benefits and power for loans."

After finishing this speech, Paulson didn't say much more. He just quietly smoked his cigarette, waiting for Carter to throw out his chips. And now the question arose: did Carter have any chips?

Listening to Paulson's words, Carter suddenly realized that he actually had nothing besides money. If he had the kind of customer relations capable of purchasing a private jet, he wouldn't have had to worry about how to get into Gulfstream; critical technology was a joke, a humanities student from his past life, a high school student in this life, didn't understand anything about aerospace manufacturing, let alone twisting screws; the only hope lay in management experience.

After thinking for a moment, Carter smiled bitterly and shook his head. Admitting to himself that he had been a bit presumptuous. He didn't have any family behind him either. His father had a small bank in Douglas. After his father had a heart attack and passed away recently, the bank was now under his management. That's it. Customer relations, management experience, I have none of these.

It was another familiar situation of 'the master dies before achieving success'. Carter sighed with regret. Compared to other transmigrators who were changing the world, he was increasingly feeling like a waste.

After lamenting, Carter straightened up and continued, "Uncle Allen, let's forget about investing in Gulfstream. But since I also run a bank, if Gulfstream needs funds in the future, please consider my bank."

"Haha, no problem. We're friends now. I believe in your future. The future always belongs to young people. Your insights already surpass many of your peers. I believe you will stand out in the future, and maybe we'll be partners someday! Let's eat, let's eat, or it'll get cold later. I've already notified the pilots. They'll check the plane first."

Only then did Paulson start eating in front of him. With a hearty laugh, he glossed over the previous investment issue and didn't rush to ask about loans. It's unclear whether he really wasn't in a hurry or if Gulfstream's financial situation was actually okay and didn't require a loan.

This question, Carter was destined not to get an answer.