Page 43 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“Indulgent, huh?” I tease. “I might have to try some of those myself.”

“You should,” Serena says, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “They’re definitely worth the try, especially mine. Do you have a favorite?”

“Peanut butter fudge.”

“Why’s that?”

“My Grams and I used to bake and cook a lot. It was one of my favorites then, and she’d make sure we always made it and that she sent some home with me after the summer in case I missed her.”

“That’s really sweet. Were you two close?”

“Yeah, I was her favorite, of course,” I chuckle. “Although she told all of us that.”

“Seems like she and my Granny were the same,” she giggles.

“Do you do anything online for your sales? Like a website or social media?”

Serena shakes her head, looking puzzled. “Not really. I’ve got a website for the store, but I don’t do much with it. Mostly, I rely on people coming in.”

“That’s surprising,” I say, leaning on the counter. “You could really boost your sales with a stronger online presence. Think about it: people could order candy and have it delivered. And you could promote your party planning services and cakes. I bet it would make a big difference.”

“I like the personal touch of having people come in and experience the store. There’s something special about enticing them with smells and tastes.”

“I get that, but think about how many more people you could reach online. You could showcase your products, offer special deals, and make it easier for people to order. Plus, with delivery options, you’d attract customers who might not be able to come in person.”

“I suppose there are benefits, but I really enjoy the atmosphere here. It’s not just about the candy; it’s about creating an experience—besides, delivery can be pricey. I’m the only one in the store. I can’t afford employees yet.”

“I understand,” I say, nodding. “But there’s a way to combine both. You can maintain the in-store experience while expanding online. You’d reach a wider audience and increase sales without losing what makes your store special.”

“I haven’t really thought about it that way. I’ve always been more focused on the in-store experience.”

“I know,” I say, my excitement growing. “But think about it: you could create an amazing online presence that complements the store. You could have a blog about candy, offer tips on party planning, and even do virtual tastings. It’s a whole new way to engage with customers.”

“That does sound interesting. I guess I never really considered the potential. But again, it’s only me.”

“You could even have special promotions, like limited-time offers or exclusive online products. It’s a great way to drive traffic to the store and keep people engaged.”

“You make a good point. I suppose there’s a lot of potential I haven’t explored. But you’re not listening. I am only one person.”

“I’d be happy to look through your books and see where you can create room to hire some help. Sometimes, you could even hire a freelancer to help with marketing or planning.”

“Lila is in marketing. I don’t…”

“Then why haven’t you used her?”

“I can’t afford her.”

“If she’s your friend, she’d do it for a trade, I’m sure.”

“A trade?”

“We’ll discuss that later. But, where are your books? The program you use for inventory. I can go through everything and…”

“I appreciate that, but no.”

“No?”

“No. I barely know you. I’m not going to hand over my financials to someone I don’t know.”