New Rules NYC (#Wattys2015 Winner)

How To Lunch With Angels

Chapter 32: Emma

"So Jeffery, Emma has that great travel startup concept that I mentioned the other day. You still ok to share it?" Alex said as he opened another bottle of wine. I quickly finished what remained of the last bottle before he poured me another glass and got up to do the same for Charlie and Jeffery. I hadn't expected such a boozy and relaxed lunch, and was still swimming from the size of the loft and the view of the city. I'd stalked Charlie after getting her card on the balcony, I figured I'd send her an email, and was actually shocked when she replied - people in this city talk a lot of shit at night, of which, a large chunk doesn't carry over to the next day.

The invitation had been to talk more about my concept under the premise that he had a friend who may be interested. This had led to one of the most panicked weeks of my life, pulling in favors and advice in order to have a decent presentation and some initial branding ideas ready. I didn't take long to find out that she had been one of the first twenty people at Google, Charlie was basically one of the most successful women in tech. Her and Alex now invested in loads of companies, most recently some ticket startup based in Brooklyn. They seemed so at peace with each other, comfortable in this perfectly designed Tribeca sanctuary.

As we finished the light pasta lunch it inched closer to the point I would have to eventually pitch, it was a lot more informal then I had anticipated and my thirty slide deck was serious overkill, none the less here I was.

After the first glass of wine I had excused myself and googled Jeffery in the bathroom. He was dressed in shorts, boat shoes and a oxford button down, only his watch gave away a hint of serious money. He can't have been more than forty but he had already sold one company to Microsoft and had been an early investor in Tumblr.

I smiled, gave a little laugh, then wondered if I sounded fake.

"It's just early days," I said, "but it is something I'm passionate about, I love the travel industry, and there is a gap in the luxury experience side of things."

Charlie returned to the table, placing a cheese board close to me, as she sat down I admired her legs and beautifully manicured toes visible through the glass. It was cool that she was in bare feet, but it did make me feel way overdressed in heels. Jeffery nodded away, "Sounds interesting," he said, "let's hear some more." And with that it was my cue to fuck this game changing opportunity right up.

"So we have seen this huge rise in unique experiences, innovative boutique hotels are killing it, Airbnb has enabled people to list these beautifully designed personal spaces. People want bragging rights to something that isn't widely available."

"They want something they can Instagram." Jeffery said.

"Exactly, the background for their selfie. But beyond just the place to stay, it's the experience, the story." I paused for impact as I had practiced with Viv, "I want to be the online destination for super luxury experiences, stuff you couldn't even dream of doing, stuff that only money and connections can make happen. Let's say you want to live with a famous artist in Italy, paint alongside them and then exhibit together, that could be available on the site. The most unique and lavish accommodation, the most amazing people, the rarest objects and most delicious food, packaged together to make it super easy for someone to spend on a story that will make anyone they meet envious. It could be something you plan as a holiday or something available locally within an hour's notice."