All In Startup: Launching a New Idea When Everything Is on the Line

Chapter 8Put Your Customers and Their Needs before Your Vision for a Solution

Owen was not impressed. Sam’s room was no different than his own, even though it was several floors higher. She was sitting on the couch in a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Owen couldn’t help but notice her body. Whoa . . . all right. You’re married. She knows that. No funny business. Look at this for what it is—an opportunity. Just . . . just keep a little standoffish so she knows it’s all business. What would Pitchford do? Actually, that was a terrible thought—don’t do what Pitchford would do!

“Hey. Sam, I want to thank you for agreeing to talk with me. I know you’re, uh . . . preoccupied with the tournament but if I could just run some ideas by you.”

“Whaddya wanna eat?”

Owen was not sure she had heard a word he’d said. She was studying a menu.

“Anything is fine with me.”

“Do you do sushi?”

“Yeah, I could put away some sushi.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Nice outfit, by the way. You moonlighting at a Best Buy?”

Owen glanced in the entry mirror. Sure enough, he hadn’t even realized he was wearing a blue polo with khakis. What a schlub. He decided to play the part.

“Just let me know if you need anything. The computers in aisle 14 are all 20 percent off.”

“Yeah, what kind of processors do they have?”

“They have these ones made by Sparksys—pretty good but not as good as they once were.”

“You know, I’ve always had a thing for men in uniform.”

“Well . . . yep.”

Owen couldn’t think of a comeback. That had ...