An employee in uniform spoke to Jaesung and Jaeeun, who were eating authentic American-style food.
Since it was a warehouse-style big mart, parents, tired from shopping with kids, told them to eat at the food court and wait.
“Open kitchen means they’re confident in the process and ingredients.”
“You notice that too?”
“At this price, after material and labor costs, nothing left—selling for promotion?”
“Huh. Kids these days calculate fast. Do they teach that at school?”
The PriceCostClub where Jaesung’s family shopped was famous for cheap hotdogs and pizza prices.
They maintained the $1.5 hotdog price for decades without reflecting inflation, which became the only request from the retiring founder.
Cost’s membership warehouse mart management was famously known, and since Jaesung studied it in detail during MBA, he could confidently say he knew more than the employee in front of him.
“Of course not taught at school. My oppa is smart.”
“I see. Well, Seattle has high cost of living even in America, so many smart people. You must have good grades too.”
In America, strangers converse naturally, and the employee eating hotdog and mushroom soup somehow showed interest in the seemingly affluent Asian siblings and spoke.
“James has good grades, and recently sold a computer he made directly to Microsoft for $2 million. Real genius!”
“Jenny, how can you say that. And it’s not computer, it’s program. Sister still young, wanted to brag. Sorry.”
“Sold a program you made to Microsoft? You’re a real genius? Nice to meet you. I’m Ron Barkris working here. Now driving forklift in warehouse, but man who’ll become Cost’s president in future.”
Ron drove forklift but showed great company affection.
Come to think of it, I remember the last Cost president started as forklift driver and rose to CEO—was it this guy?
“Ron! I told you eat lunch in employee break room!”
“Walter. I like eating lunch watching customers here. Got employee discount, but paid, so I’m customer too.”
A middle-aged man named Walter nagged Ron, ordered coffee, and sat next to him.
“This is our store manager Walter. Last name Jelinek—funny, right? He also started in warehouse and rose to manager.”
“You joke with my name even to first-time kids?”
“Not ordinary kid. Genius who sold program he made to Microsoft for $2 million.”
Due to Cost’s nature, nearby residents with membership mainly visited, employees naturally became familiar with repeat customers.
So many American mart employees befriended customers, and these two were the type interested in regulars.
“Wow~! Amazing customer came. I’m Walter Craig Jelinek, manager of Cost store No. 1. Honored to meet Eastern prince and princess.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m James, sister is Jenny.”
Hearing Walter’s name, Jaesung felt like he’d heard it somewhere.
Is this guy Cost’s second-generation CEO? After founder Jim Senegal, the warehouse manager at Seattle headquarters became CEO, right?
Jaesung hoped to see founder Jim Senegal while shopping at Cost store No. 1 with parents.
But when two people seeming second and third CEOs appeared and spoke, it felt wondrous.
“Are you Japanese? Don’t look Chinese.”
“Korean.”
“Oh~! Korea. Our president paying much attention to Korea lately.”
In America yet, most didn’t know Korea well, but since Cost opens first store in Korea in ’95, Walter was interested.
Opens No. 1 in Yeongdeungpo Yangpyeong, then records overwhelming sales in Korean market where No. 1 American mart Walmart failed and withdrew.
Jim Senegal interviewed that thinking of Korea brings tears.
Korean Cost records high global sales, Yangjae store holding world sales No. 1 crown, three more in top 10 besides Yangjae.
“Korean stores will hit big. You can look forward.”
“Ho~! Reason genius boy thinks so?”
“Though Cost is prepaid membership mart, secures cash from fees to get good items cheap. Must buy bulk, but Korea is self-employment nation, so businesses will steadily buy.”
Manager Walter asked without much expectation, but surprised by unexpected sharp answer.
“I told you genius? Not ordinary kid.”
“I see. Didn’t think many self-employed in Korea, must tell chairman.”
Didn’t want, but misunderstood as genius boy, decided to reveal a bit more future.
“And better increase PB products made directly. May be hard now, but as stores increase and sales secure, advantageous to produce high-quality low-price directly?”
“Huh~! You seem smarter than our strategy team.”
“Oppa, what are you saying. Boring.”
When talk got deep, Jaeeun grumbled not understanding.
Thanks, atmosphere lightened again, and at good timing, parents returned.
“Dad. This is manager Walter and Ron who’ll become Cost president in future.”
“Your children feel dignified even young, take after parents.”
“Haha. Store too big, told stay at food court, thank you watching kids.”
Parents relieved seeing children talking with uniformed men.
Parents with two growing children needed frequent Cost visits, no harm befriending employees.
“See you again, genius boy. Princess too next time.”
“Bye~”
Already finished shopping and checkout, pulled big cart out store, waved goodbye to Walter and Ron.
Children adapting much better to American life than thought, parents’ worries decreased.
Weekend passed, soon Microsoft check deposited, Jaesung visited next door with parents.
“Really investing in me?”
“Already got parents’ permission.”
“Startups always risk failing. Don’t invest just because close.”
When Jaesung actually said invest in Amazon.com, Jefferson worried and said rethink.
“Uncle no confidence in own business?”
“I am confident, but business unpredictable. It’ll do well, but worry if problem hurts you.”
“Not investing all, even if fail good experience. Instead, want to participate in programming too.”
Parents said school first, but okay visiting next door after homework like now.
“Yeah. Grateful, but receiving investment from 13-year-old middle schooler makes more responsibility. Looking forward, partner James.”
Jaesung invested $500,000 of $2 million from Microsoft into Amazon.com early capital, got 19% non-voting shares.
When Jefferson Bezos hit world richest No. 1, held 12.3%, if Jaesung keeps 19%, would become world No. 1 just sitting.
Not small amount, so with parents’ consent, contract through lawyer, thus Jaesung became one of early Amazon.com founders.
“Uhehehe. Successfully ate Amazon. Kekekeke.”
Back in room, Jaesung spread contract and let out evil laugh.
Though Amazon.com founder moved next door, getting shares as middle schooler never easy.
Took more time than thought, but created programming background, cleanly finished, excited couldn’t stay still.
Secretly in room dancing Gangnam Style and future moves, once dopamine subsided, thought can’t satisfy here.
“Somehow placed spoon on set table, but for Amazon.com to moon, wait 20 years. Can’t just suck fingers till then.”
Amazon.com revealing existence properly next year gets much attention and grows fast from start, but continual logistics warehouse investment leads long deficit management.
Only after near-monopoly ecosystem forms stock rises properly, too many opportunities left to wait quietly.
“Besides Amazon, what in ’94.”
Internet out but before explosive growth, impossible for middle schooler body to travel America investing.
TV starting Friends season 1, Michael Jackson marrying Elvis Presley’s daughter, 1994 was transitional era from analog end to digital.
Theaters hanging Mask where Jim Carrey raised actor pay with acting, young Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock’s Speed screening together.
“End of year Forrest Gump and Shawshank Redemption too? Must go theater see these.”
Finishing big task getting Amazon.com shares gave leisure, no reason visit far companies, slightly enjoyed 1994 American life.
Living bit relaxed, Dad hooked big fish.
“Next week academic exchange, must go Stanford University in San Francisco. Same America, but buy souvenirs.”
Hearing Stanford University, Jaesung perked up, said want to go along.
“Specialized medical conference, boring, still want come?”
“Heard engineering college famous there. Person really want meet, while Dad attends seminar, I’ll be with that person.”
“Even professor me, hard introduce middle school son to other university computer engineering professor.”
“Not professor, student. Recently made amazing thing, really want meet.”
Normal student might harder introduce, but easiest graduate student, Dad permitted, finally headed from Seattle to IT startup holy land San Francisco.