Chapter 26 - the board wanted me to sell
The next crisis came from the board.
Several investors wanted me to sell a portion of the company.
The offer was enormous.
Enough money to make most people stop thinking.
Marcus disagreed.
Daniel was cautious.
I refused.
The investors demanded a meeting.
One of them looked directly at me.
“You've already survived the scandal. Why keep carrying the burden?”
I answered calmly.
“Because the company isn't a burden.”
“You could walk away with enough money for several lifetimes.”
“I know.”
“So why don't you?”
I looked around the table.
“Because my father built this company.”
One investor smiled.
“And you think he would want you to keep it forever?”
The question stayed with me.
That evening, I reconsidered.
Not because they were right.
Because they had forced me to ask the correct question.
Was I protecting the company?
Or was I afraid to let go?
I requested an independent valuation.
The company was strong.
Stronger than before.
That made the decision easier.
I didn't sell.
But I also changed the ownership structure.
A portion of the shares would eventually go into an employee trust.
The people who helped rebuild the company would own part of its future.
When Marcus read the proposal, he looked at me.
“Your father would have liked that.”
I smiled.
May you like
“I hope so.”
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