Hi there! I'm a trader and in the last year I profited 4 figures by trading SKINS in CS2... But there is a lack of money from my side, I see a lot of opportunities of buying skins but my money is already "blocked" on other skins that I have already bought. So it would be great to leverage the business. I would like to discuss what are the ways to have people investing in some ideas for solving this problem, if someone is interested we can fully talk about a few ways to make a deal that suits both sides.
For example, one of the ways is: I send you a listed skin on a marketplace, you buy it with your steam, i take a comission on that sale, after that the skin is completely yours and u have the mission to sell/keep it. (its risk free basically)
Steam profile: https://steamcommunity.com/id/bidagod14/inventory

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It's the process of optimizing your website and its content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) organically, without paying for placement. The goal of SEO is to increase visibility and attract more organic (non-paid) traffic to your website from search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
SEO involves various strategies and techniques, including:

1. Keyword Research: Identifying the words and phrases (keywords) that people are using to search for information related to your business or content.
2. On-Page Optimization: Optimizing elements on your website such as title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and content to make them more relevant to the targeted keywords.
3. Off-Page Optimization: Building backlinks from other websites to improve your site's authority and credibility in the eyes of search engines.
4. Technical SEO: Improving the technical aspects of your website, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, crawlability, and site architecture, to make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your content.
5. Content Creation: Creating high-quality, relevant, and engaging content that satisfies the search intent of users and provides value to your target audience.
6. User Experience Optimization: Ensuring that your website provides a seamless and positive user experience, including easy navigation, clear calls-to-action, and fast loading times.
7. Local SEO (if applicable): Optimizing your website to appear in local search results, is especially important for businesses with physical locations targeting local customers.

By implementing effective SEO strategies, you can improve your website's visibility, attract more qualified traffic, and ultimately, achieve your business goals, whether they are increased sales, leads, or brand awareness.

I'll start with "it's not about the cookies" in the same way that people say "it was never about the dishes." My wife and I aren't in the best place, and we're seeing professional help for our miscommunication issues. I'd like to focus on a recent incident with cookies as a simple example.
My wife has a habit of not fully listening to what I express I need emotionally or physically. She often tries to do something nice but leaves out important parts or makes substitutions, similar to the "but we have that at home" meme. Similar to 'the medium place' for those who watched 'the good place'.
Recently, after returning from a business trip, she decided to surprise me with homemade cookies. A couple of weeks ago, I told her how much I enjoyed the white chocolate macadamia nut cookies she recently made for the first time. Upon my return she said she had made those exact cookies for my return as a surprise. However, when I saw them, they were milk chocolate chip instead of white chocolate, and my heart sank.
I know it seems like a small issue to feel upset about, and I appreciate the effort she put into making the cookies. But this type of thing happens often. Whenever she tries to do something nice, there's usually a substitution—from big things like booking a trip to small things like buying yogurt instead of sour cream (not for health reasons). Focusing only on the functionality of the situation instead of the thing itself, aka yogurt is white and creamy and sour cream is white and creamy therefore yogurt == sour cream.
I fully admit, it's really dumb and petty of me to feel negatively about the differences between white chocolate and milk chocolate chips. But it's not about the cookies or any specific thing, but rather what it represents. I didn't yell but calmly communicated that while I appreciated the unexpected gesture and initiative, I was hurt that I didn't feel heard... again. She then broke down crying, saying she can't do anything right.
AITAH?

Me and my 2 siblings worked for the family business for 8-12 years, with our narcissistic mom as our boss. We ended up in the family company because back then, the business was growing and mom had health issues and needed help. So we stepped in as the “good children” we were.
We ran that business like clockwork. Operations, creatives, and finance. Our mom barely did anything, but she still acted like a martyr for “providing for us”. We were paid a measly salary, because to Mom we were set to “inherit the business” and all those funds one day.
Mom: “this business is yours, Everything in this account is yours. This is all done for you. Being employed and making someone else richer is bad. It’s better to be in business.”
REALITY
Mom barely worked 3 days a month, but she martyred herself for “providing for the family” even if my siblings and I ran the show and brought in the sales. we could never access business funds, let alone spend it (she would though, for luxury bags!) we didn’t have health benefits. Our salary was entry level, even LITERALLY ZERO for 12 months during the pandemic. We had business owner responsibilities with none of the perks.
The implicit exchange was, we work for the family business and put in our effort. In exchange we get to live at home and not spend on rent, utilities. We do all the house labor, physical and mental. Cooking cleaning administrative. Mom lays in bed all day and shops online. While she acts like the breadwinner whom we are all indebted to.
Mom had a narcissistic meltdown 2 years ago after my golden child sibling told her that she needed some space (they were very codependent & enmeshed). She acted like a victim the whole time. In the span of 2 years, my 2 siblings quit. I was the last frontier. I FINALLY DID IT.
Mom pretended to be happy-ish for me. Said she never expected us to work for the family business forever (that’s a lie.) then the next day complained about all the work that had to be done. Shamed me for wanting to be a mere “employee” at some other company. Said that she doesn’t have the patience and is too old to train new hires. (She’s only 56.) I told her that if she didn’t want to manage people, that’s not a running a business but being self-employed ;)

Paysafe reported its first quarter 2024 earnings, showcasing impressive growth and strategic advancements. Below, we break down the key highlights and what they mean for the company's future.
Financial Performance

• Total Volume: Over $36 billion, a 7% increase year-over-year.
• Revenue: $417.7 million, marking an 8% increase.
• Adjusted EBITDA: $111.9 million, up 4%.
• Adjusted EBITDA Margin: Decreased slightly to 26.8%.

Paysafe's financial performance indicates steady growth, with significant contributions from North America, which made up 55% of total revenue.
Regional Contributions

• North America: 55% of total revenue
• Europe: 35%
• Latin America and Rest of the World: 10%

The company's diversified revenue streams highlight its global reach and resilience in various markets.
Strategic Investments and Initiatives
Paysafe invested around $25 million in sales and portfolio optimization for 2024, including severance expenses. These investments are aimed at enhancing long-term growth and profitability.
Key Initiatives:

• Sales Organization Expansion: Strengthening the sales team to drive growth.
• Product Enhancements: Launching value-added services, which improved take rates in the Merchant Solutions segment.
• Partnership with Dun & Bradstreet: Boosting lead generation capabilities.
• Chargeback Protection Program: Supporting merchant operations with added security.
• Merchant Wallet: Positive feedback received on this new product.
• 'Pay by Bank' Launch: Targeting U.S. online bettors.
• Partnership with Xsolla: Providing wallet solutions for game creators and influencers.

Analyst Q&A Session:
When asked about the SMB direct segment business and Paysafe efforts to improve the growth there, CEO Bruce Lowthers said that the rollout of Merchant Wallet side has been receiving positive feedback, and the pipeline is probably the strongest that they've had. Paysafe management feel very good about the opportunities that they have and certainly the deal sizes that they are increasing at that enterprise level.
Source: https://earnings-summary.streamlit.app/?c=reddit&t=PSFE
Given Paysafe's turnaround and strong regional performance, do you think their new product offerings and partnerships will significantly boost their market share?

My wife and I under contract to buy and are moving from our home to a nearby subdivision, and have accepted an offer from Opendoor to purchase our current home-- also under contract.
When this came up with our next door neighbor, she indicated over text that evening that she had a friend who wants to buy our house. This neighbor runs a daycare business out of her home-- She is very frugal and I've seen her get better pricing than we have with contractors we both worked with in the past-- she's big on cutting out the middle man, and often encourages us to do the same. We aren't always comfortable with using her negotiation methods, and generally don't mind spending more/making less than her tolerance for such things seem to be.
Opendoor seems to make things easy, and I don't have a lot of bandwidth to deal with a private sale or traditional home sale. My wife and I view the profit Opendoor will make on our home a simple cost of said convenience-- and I've communicated these issues to my neighbor. It seems like she still wants us to talk to her friend, but I just don't see a path forward that doesn't involve a lot of time, effort and (frankly) risk for relatively little monetary reward.
Can anyone share information on what typical closing costs for sellers look like in the context of an unlisted/private sale in North Carolina, and how we would even go about facilitating this?

Trigger warning - religious differences
I always bragged about how awesome my extended family was. NO family is perfect, but I heard horror stories and always counted my blessings that I had strong ties with my Aunt and uncles since I was raised an only child. That was until a few months ago when my last living Aunt, whom I considered a second mom, shattered me.
Ok, some backstory here. My aunt is a Jehovah’s Witness. Now before you get all judgy, I have always loved her, my uncle and her son with all of my heart. I still do. I respect that they have found faith and live by this code on the daily. I have met many people from their congregation and loved them all (ok, a couple of exceptions). I also appreciate the community they have and love they all show each other. If it weren’t for the religion itself, I would have converted.
I, however, am pagan and have always been since I was about 5 (even the first book I signed out from the school’s library was about witchcraft). Not raised that way, but always found spiritual comfort in nature and the natural world. I have a very strong connection and dedication to my Powers That Be and work every day to help the world be a better place. My Aunt did not know my religion until about 7 years ago. That being said, she and I would have very philosophical conversations when we hung out together. Even at the age of 8, I would listen to her preach to me and ask questions to which she never had answers. I remember her telling me how only 144,000 people would be allowed in heaven and didn’t I think that would be wonderful knowing that our whole family could be together again after we died. We’d all be in heaven if we were all Jehova;s witnesses. I had gone with her many times to do field service (door to door) and asked her why they do that if there’s only a certain number of people allowed. Didn’t that lessen her chances of getting in because I’m sure there were many people more deserving than myself. How did she know for sure she’d be one of the ones to get in and was that fair to keep bringing people into the religion when all the spaces were probably already filled up?
At 8 years old, I had many questions and was just trying to figure these things out. Since she was an adult, I figured she had the answers. My questions were not with malice, just for a want of better understanding. When she didn’t have the answers, I'd ask my mother and grandmother. While they were extremely amused, they said they never understood either. They never said anything bad about her or her attempts to get them to convert, just allowed me to explore religion and spirituality as I wished so I could make my own decision of what was right for me.
Once I was an adult, I avoided talking to her about religion, but found that if I didn’t ask questions and just let her talk, it made her happy. I know she’s a good person at heart and that’s all that matters. After my Mom passed, my aunt and I talked almost every week. I loved talking to her and she became even more like a mom to me. She gave me encouragement and we supported each other through health and emotional crises. I’d make it a point to try and visit at least once a year for a few days so she could visit with my daughter and I. We’d always do lunch with her friends and I loved it. I fell in love with some of the people in her congregation and wished we could live closer to hang out more. I, however, never wavered on my spiritual beliefs, but I have never cared about the religion, race, or sexuality of anyone. If we got along, we were friends and that was that.
My aunt and I had come to an understanding that I would not convert and that we would love and respect each other regardless. Religious talk was off the table for the most part until both of my uncles (my aunt’s two brothers) passed and she had a very hard time dealing with it. She was the last surviving sibling and she was sinking into a depression. I’d talk to her at length and listen to her as she mourned the fact that she would never have contact with them (and my mom) in heaven because they never converted. When she asked me what I believed, I told her that I believed that the soul lived on after the body died and that I believed in reincarnation. I explained my beliefs were closer to hindu and buddhism than christianity (so she had context). We had very long talks and she expressed that she respected my views and actually found comfort in talking with me.
That was until my daughter and I opened our store about 3 years ago. It’s a metaphysical shop and we have crystals, teas, gifts, jewelry, candles and more (about 10% strict;y pagan). My aunt was happy for us until it dawned on her that we might sell pagan stuff. I told her what we sold and she asked me if I was a witch. I replied that I suppose that was one way to describe me, but, again, I considered myself spiritual and that I followed a path closer to buddhism, hinduism, native american. I sent a couple of pictures of the jewelry that we made and she said when we came down, we should bring the jewelry making.
We did, I brought down our best crystals to wrap and bracelet materials and my daughter and I made her a necklace with a very expensive stone (A $200 piece). She brought her friends over and they picked out crystals that they wanted, made bracelets and such. We had fun and I was happy to do it, though I wasn’t expecting people that I had never met before. Still, we had fun. My daughter and I also brought her a basket with local items from our hometown, (Raw honey, handmade stoneware mugs, cutting board, herbal tea and some other items made by us as well) She was thrilled. My aunt and uncle had taken a couple of bad falls a few months before and so my daughter and I made them hand carved cedar walking sticks as well because we knew they went for regular walks and thought it would help their balance. It felt amazing to lavish expensive and heartfelt gifts on them as I has struggled so long with money. I was finally in a place that I could do it. To say the gifts probably totalled in excess of 1K is on the low side, but I was still happy to do it.
Besides the fact that they tried converting my daughter when I wasn’t around, it was a lovely visit. The only problem I had was with a new person my aunt introduced us to. This woman, we’ll call her Dee, ignored me and only talked to my daughter. She was my age if not older, but conversed with my daughter, 17, like I wasn’t there. They traded contact info and Dee insisted that they keep in touch while my daughter was in college. Dee said she was going to keep an eye on her. I thought that was odd, but I did enjoy the feeling of having an extended family sort of since I actually had no family besides my Aunt.
Let’s jump forward to the following year and we were struggling financially. Not horrible, but unable to lavish the gifts that we did the year before. Instead, I created a beautiful aromatherapy candle, some delicious herbal teas and we found a couple of very rare antique tea cups that had amazing value to them (about $100 a piece). We made a basket for her and I decided we would cook for them. (gluten free, soy free, dairy free etc). Our visit went so well, it was great to see them. We just enjoyed hanging out with them and talking. They loved the meal we made for them and the dairy free organic chocolate I made. Everything was great until the day we were leaving. Dee showed up and again ignored me, talked to my daughter and chastised her for getting a pet snake as that was an animal associated with the devil. My daughter is one to push the envelope a bit and said how she wanted to get a tattoo as well, one of a snake. Both my aunt and Dee were shocked and said she should never get a tattoo.. Again related to the devil, I went to the bathroom as I was not involved in the conversation and knew my daughter could hold her own. Little do they know that my daughter is also trans. I told her not to say anything to them just yet. I came back to them talking about how college was going and I thought my aunt and Dee would faint when she said her college roommate was male. She quickly explained that it was fine because he was gay and how awesome he was (he is btw). She quickly realized what I meant when she saw their reaction to him being gay. It wasn’t that she was living with a boy, it was that he was gay and “why did he choose to be gay.” I tried redirecting the conversation a couple of times, but they ignored me.
They finally let it go, but just after Dee left, we were getting ready to depart as well. My aunt returned the basket I made for her (minus the expensive tea cups). She said she could not accept them as they were touched by the devil. Shocked, I asked what she meant. She said that because they came from my store, they carried Satan's influence and she could not have them in our home. Truthfully, I explained that I made those items for her and that the only things that came from the store were the teacups. She was confused why I had gotten upset. When I explained that I gave her a gift and if she didn’t want it, she could regift it or throw it away. That gift came from my heart with all the love I have for her and that I didn't need to know her opinions about the gifts because It insinuated I, myself, was evil and it was extremely hurtful. She basically continued on insisting that I was just not aware of how much Satan had a hold of me. All I could do was tell her how much I loved her and leave.
I didn’t take her calls and cried about this for over a month. I finally felt strong enough to talk to her and again she insisted that because those items touched my hands, they were influenced by satan and she wished I could understand how they just can’t have that influence in their home. Frustrated, I asked how she could shop at grocery stores or buy anything from department stores because she can’t guarantee that those items didn’t touch hands that were influenced by satan. Also , I asked her how they could have eaten the food I prepared for them and why did they even invite me into their home to begin with if that’s the way she felt about me. She suddenly needed to go.
We talked a few times since then but it always came back to religion. At one point I asked her again why she would even invite us to her home if she felt that way. Her response was to save my daughter. The pain and heartache she has inflicted is immense, but I cannot bring myself to argue the point because I’m afraid if I make my point to her, it will break her. She’s in her 80’s and I believe has the beginnings of dementia. Her religion brings her comfort and I don’t want to say anything that might make her doubt her religion at her advanced age.
I’ve decided it is probably best for both of our mental health to stop all contact with her( with the exception of sending cards telling them how much I love them) even though I’ve always seen her as a second mom. AITA for making this decision and not trying to work things out with her or allow her to believe that I still might convert?
*** Please understand this is not a bash on any religion. Everyone has the right to believe in whatever religion they wish. That includes me, so if you feel the need to bash them or me for our spiritual choices, you can move along ***
I have never felt like I needed to hide any part of me from my friends, family, and the public in general. Not until now. Buckle up, this is a bumpy ride.
I've always been kind hearted, almost to a flaw. I took care of my grandmother, my step-dad, my mom and helped with a family friend during long term and terminal illnesses. I had my daughter and, without her father's help, raised her on my own with very little to no support. I helped friends with their farm who left me homeless in the end because I want interested in an extramarital affair. I lost my home and all that I loved including my husband because he lied to me and never paid it mortgage while I was recovering from an illness. In short, I have had a tough life, but it has never made me turn my back on anyone who needed help or in difficult family when they were ignored by the others. That's just some background before I tell you this situation.
Three years ago, after a bout of covid, my daughter was suicidal. She had been in the top three of her HS class and yet at that point almost failed her junior year. Not knowing if she would have the emotional strength to face college and adulting in general, I set up a plan B for her. I started a store in her name and that way she'd have something at least to fall back on if she was unable to function in the m-f 9 to 5 world. We started slow by doing craft fairs, seeking crystals, candles, jewelry, and gifts. We were kicked out of one because the person running it assumed we were witches. She was not wrong exactly as we identified as pagan, but we lived our life closest to the Buddhist and Hindu traditions, not traditional wicca. These were people who knew us for years and were considered acquaintances if not friends.
Our business flourished and we ended up opening our brick and mortar that fall after remodeling our garage/ barn and turning it into a store front. Even though I run it for my daughter, it is hers and we work together to keep it going.
In the past few years I've lost my mom, and two uncles. I have no family besides my mother's sister and her husband which we were pretty close. My aunt knew that I was pagan and had tried recruiting me into her religion since I was 5. Even at that tender age her religion never made sense and I would ask her questions to which she never had answers. I accepted her and respected her and her religion even though I didn't agree. I loved the people she introduced me to that were in her church and I always got along with them. That is until we visited the year after we started our store. My aunt was thrilled about us bringing crystals down and making jewelry with her. We met a new friend of hers (middle aged woman) who ignored me completely and oozed affection on my daughter. She got my daughter's contact info and contacted her frequently. Trying to convert and ”save” her. My daughter wasn't having it as even though she was in a delicate state, she is very level headed and strong willed.
This year we visited and we brought herbal tea, candies, and rare vintage tea cups for my aunt. The day we were leaving, she handed back everything but the vintage tea cups and told me she couldn't accept them because they were touched by Satan (aka made by my hands). To say I was devastated is an understatement. This woman was always like a second mom to me and we had grown closer after my mom passed away. It was a 20 hour drive home and I cried most of the way. I cried for weeks after a well. Thinking of it now still brings me tears. As she was telling me that Satan had a hold on me and that she was trying to save me, all I did was remind her how much I loved her and my uncle. Every time since then that we have talked, she says the same thing, but now she told me I was a lost cause. I feel like trying to stay in touch is detrimental to her mental health ( and my own). I don't want to give up or abandon the last of my family, but I can't talk to her and endure the endless insinuations that I'm evil because I don't believe in her religion. She took a bad fall and broke her arm. The last time we spoke, she talked as if it was my fault for bringing the devil into her home.
While I could usually brush this off as delusional ranting, it hits hard because the same day she fell, my dad died. I know the Powers That Be only give as much as we can handle, I just wish they didn't have so much faith in me.
They are in their 80s. I know in all the pieces of my broken heart that they'll never be able to accept my daughter and I unless we change religions and it has crossed my mind just to say we have to put her at ease, but I can't lie like that to them and we cannot betray ourselves like that either. By

I’m in FinServ for a small Credit Union. Prior to me there wasn’t a retirement department. I’ve built it from the ground up by myself, 100% my baby. I’ve been an FA for 7 years before at a large wire. I moved from finding your own book, cold calls, cold walking, networking; to referrals, and warm leads everywhere.
I’m going on my halfway through my 4th year. I’ve had sustained growth in tough markets, new assets, no complaints, balanced growth all around.
The Credit Union has been around 50+ years, and they have been a positive for our community.
They can’t prospect. They can’t sell. They are order takers. They can’t dig for more opportunities. They can’t track prior prospects and can’t follow up later in the year. They are successful because of their hospitality, leadership, and marketing.
Given past/current markets, they are struggling with interest rates and stifled demand for cars and home purchases.
I have been asked at the beginning of the year to be on a sales committee. Weekly 90 minute meeting discussing prospecting,sales, accountability, and tracking. Much more busy work than I need. To me, it seems I’m here for them to pick my brain, and try to replicate. It will benefit me down the road.
I have full schedule autonomy, they support me, culture is great, an assistant, love everything about my job. Pay is good and growing, 401k, and pension.
I’ve also had 3 offers to work with local FAs this year. They are both offering Triple current pay for 5 years, plus a 10% commission increase. One is a unique situation.
What option should I consider?

1. Saying nothing and continue to grow
2. Have a conversation and get a raise nearing 3x pay
3. If no, do I jump?
4. If no, revert to option 1 and plan for option 3 when it hurts them the most
5. Something I haven’t considered

Thanks and let me know what I need to clarify.

In the world of e-commerce, entrepreneurs are always looking for reliable platforms to access products and suppliers. SaleHoo is often recommended as a comprehensive platform that offers a wide range of features. However, it is important to note that there are many alternative options that may be better suited for your needs. In this article, we will discuss some of the shortcomings of SaleHoo and provide better alternatives.
SaleHoo's Shortcomings:

• Limited Database: While SaleHoo claims to have a database of over 2 million suppliers, this database lacks some major suppliers, especially in certain industries.
• Data Accuracy: There have been reports of some data inaccuracies in SaleHoo's database, which could lead to problems with product orders and shipping.
• Subscription Cost: SaleHoo's subscription plans can be expensive, especially for small businesses or startups.
• Limited Features: SaleHoo offers limited features compared to some alternative platforms, such as advanced search tools and market analytics.

How to find a winner product dropshipping and supplier watch this YouTube video https://youtu.be/MyOGqHJQRfk?si=HmzgYSknKFeQO7dB

Hi everyone,
I would like to know if some of you are using thoses order station with touchscreen like the big fast food restaurants are doing. I heard about the benefits of it for McDonald´s for example but I want to hear from others smaller business. I own a 80m3 fast food in Romania. Will it make a major difference in my sales rate? What about the prices and the set up?
In advance thank you.

Hello,
Sorry for the long post and I hope you take time to read this.
We are an emerging marketing consultancy in the UAE, dedicated to fortifying small to medium-sized businesses by enhancing their sales through effective marketing strategies. We optimize processes, aiding them in elevating their business by leveraging our comprehensive digital marketing solutions. We also offer training sessions for new customers to acquaint them with our marketing tools and strategies.
so basically our application is an all-in-one where you can integrate all your company's social media flatform into one application.
Example: You have meta, whatsapp, mails, linkedin, and SMS. when you connect it to our application, anyone who message you will be added to your contact and it's easier to for the users to transform and inquiries to a lead.
We are not offering just this feature, we also have an Calendar, Online-Consultation, AI integration, Automation, AI calling features (where AI will automatically give a call to the leads to gather information, like setting an appointment for you make the job much easier), Marketing (where you can plan your social media posts and contents), Online payments, reporting, opportunities, and more.
Basically anything you need in one application. Aside from that, we are offering unlimited user, so ideally if you have 10 people who do the admin, marketing and etc. You don't need to purchase subscription for each of them.
you can visit our link below:
https://ae.retrographic.digital/

Romania is becoming a popular choice for investors interested in investing in Romania due to its strategic location in Europe, which provides easy access to various markets such as the EU, CIS, and Middle East. The country offers a strong landscape for potential investment opportunities in Romania.
Romania has a positive business environment, ranking 55th globally on the Ease of Doing Business index. In addition, it offers investment incentives such as tax breaks and grants to attract “investitori in Romania”. The country’s significant infrastructure investments further enhance its attractiveness as a logistical hub, making it a strategic choice for foreign investors seeking growth and innovation in a stable democratic setting.
Get in touch with us and we will assist you in making your goals a reality. You can reach us at +32 478 331 799 and ask for Freddy Jacobs. Alternatively, you can also connect with us on Linkedin.

An Overview of Investment Opportunities in Romania

The investment landscape of Romania is influenced by various important factors that make it a desirable location for foreign investors. One significant aspect is that non-residents are allowed to buy and sell apartments, while the purchase of land is limited to non-EU citizens, unless done through Romanian companies. This promotes a relatively open real estate market with a consistent increase in residential property prices. Furthermore, Romania’s strategic location in Europe, membership in the EU, and proximity to major markets such as Central Asia and the Near East add to its attractiveness. Additionally, the country offers abundant opportunities in industries such as IT, automotive, and energy, supported by a skilled and cost-efficient workforce.
Potential Investment Sectors and Opportunities in Romania:
Romania is a hub for IT innovation and digital services due to its competitive costs and abundant talent in the field of IT and telecommunications.
Romania is well-positioned for investments in both renewable and conventional energy due to its status as the top EU country in terms of energy independence.
Real Estate: Although there are limitations on the sale of land to individuals who are not citizens of the European Union, the expanding real estate industry, particularly in Bucharest, offers promising chances for investment.

Romania’s Government Policies and Economic Indicators:

The government of Romania offers equal treatment to both domestic and foreign investors, without any discrimination based on their source of capital. This, along with a relatively low level of public debt and a favorable growth rate, establishes Romania as a secure and attractive location for investment.
The government’s emphasis on fostering a favorable climate for investment is apparent through its implementation of cautious financial strategies and dedication to digitalization.
Romania’s potential as an attractive destination for foreign investment is reinforced by a combination of factors, including its skilled labor force and vast reserves of natural resources.

Advantages of Investing in Romania

There are numerous advantages of investing in Romania that not only contribute to the growth of the investor, but also contribute to the economic development of the country as a whole. Some of the key benefits include:
1. Tax Incentives and Citizenship Route: Entrepreneurs can take advantage of advantageous tax rates for small businesses and have the opportunity to obtain Romanian citizenship in four to eight years. With permanent residence permits, there is no need for annual renewals, and family members are also eligible for long-term residence permits.
2. Role of Foreign Investments in Economic Growth and Job Creation: In Romania, foreign investments play a significant part in driving economic growth. This, in turn, leads to the creation of jobs, which helps to decrease unemployment rates and boost local economies.
3. Advancements in Technology and the Market:
The productivity within the Romanian market is boosted by the incorporation of advanced technology and progressive methods.
Romanian companies can expand their reach to global markets, resulting in a boost in sales and a larger market share.
The country’s efficiency and service delivery are strengthened by enhancements in infrastructure, including transportation systems and utilities.
4. The Competitive Market Environment:
The influx of foreign entities leads to heightened market competition, leading to improved product quality, reduced prices, and enhanced services for consumers.
Local employees are equipped with enhanced skills and knowledge through education and training opportunities offered by foreign investors.
Romania’s position as a desirable investment location is reinforced by a combination of factors, which provide clear advantages to international investors and also contribute to the country’s social and economic progress.

Difficulties and Factors to Consider for Investors in Romania

There are various challenges and factors to consider when making investments in Romania that investors should be mindful of.
Some examples of these are:
The economy and government of Romania have a close relationship, as the government has a notable presence in the economy through state-owned enterprises. This can have an impact on market dynamics. Furthermore, there have been challenges in effectively planning and investing due to the management instability in these enterprises since 2014.
Investors frequently face obstacles from government regulations and bureaucracy, including excessive paperwork, an unstable legislative system, and corruption, all of which can hinder business activities. Additionally, constant changes to legislation without input from the private sector only add to the uncertainty.
Businesses face challenges with infrastructure and workforce in Romania. The inadequate infrastructure can increase costs and hinder productivity, while the scarcity of labor, especially in the northern and western regions, makes it difficult to attract and retain employees. Environmental concerns, such as insufficient waste management methods and problems with air quality and preservation of natural areas, also create complexities for potential investments.
Conducting comprehensive due diligence and gaining a deep understanding of the local context are crucial factors for individuals considering investment opportunities in Romania.

How to Invest in Romania

To those foreign investors considering Romania as their next business location, it is crucial to comprehend the necessary actions to establish a presence. Below is a simplified guide:
1. Acquiring a Residency Permit:
Individuals who are not permanent residents have the opportunity to obtain a residence permit that is valid for one year by making an investment in a company based in Romania. This investment will open doors for the possibility of conducting long-term business activities.
2. Investment Priorities in Romania:
The General Inspectorate for Immigration has a tendency towards favoring investments in the real estate and technology industries, revealing promising and lucrative areas for international investors.
3. Extension of Stay Permit:
The Romanian Agency for Foreign Investments assesses the effect of the investment in order to renew the residence permit and maintain the ongoing business operations.
Section 4: Exceptions
Individuals from the United States, Canada, Japan, and Switzerland are granted exemptions from specific stipulations, including minimum investment requirements, quotas for job creation, and proofs of financial stability, which facilitates a more seamless entry process.
5. Documentation:
Important papers consist of evidence of company ownership or shares, proof of legal accommodation, documentation of financial stability, proof of social health insurance, a medical certificate, and a receipt for the residence permit fee.
The process of investing in Romania is made easier through this comprehensive guide, which also showcases the government’s favorable attitude towards foreign investments. This promotes a wide variety of global business opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Reasons for Investing in Romania?

With its skilled labor force, abundant natural resources, advantageous geographic position for efficient transportation, and position as a major market in Central and Eastern Europe, Romania offers a strong argument for investment. These combined elements make Romania an increasingly attractive choice for investors.

What are the primary foreign investors in Romania?

Germany is the top foreign investor in Romania, followed by Austria with a 10.7% stake, France with 9.7%, Italy with 7.8%, the United States with 6.7%, and the Netherlands with 5.3%. These nations have acknowledged the potential and prospects in Romania and have made considerable investments in different sectors of its economy.

Which Industry is the Most Lucrative in Romania?

Romania is known for its highly profitable IT and software industry. This success can be attributed to the country’s education system, which prioritizes technical expertise. In fact, Romania ranks 6th globally for having the highest number of certified IT professionals per person. The profitability of this sector is a clear indication of Romania’s strong pool of technical talent and favorable business climate.

Factors Considered by Investors When Evaluating a Country for Investment

When evaluating a nation for possible investment prospects, investors commonly examine its economic and fiscal foundations. Essential factors that are frequently examined include the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), levels of inflation, and readings of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). These measures offer valuable information on the country’s economic well-being and reliability, assisting investors in making well-informed choices.

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Business: Krogans can grow back a entire limb, so they probably can grow back theirs testicles too. You make a contract with bunch of krograns, in enchange of theirs testicles you give them a cut of the sale, each testicle sell for 10 000. Of course, krogan testicle market can become saturate quick, so a organ harvest would be better, but i don't think you can transplant a Krogran Liver in other species, or that a Krogan will need a Liver transplant.
Mating: If a Krogan with a Testicle Transplant have a chance of produce a child, and the sperm came from the Transplant Testicle...

some people may disagree with this but just wanted to get it out there. for anyone who continues to shop at loblaws stores for whatever personal reasons try and aim to shop at the franchise stores rather than corporate (Your Independent Grocers vs. Loblaws). these stores are run by families in the neighbourhood rather than corporate workers, giving more leeway for individual store sales. these stores also do a lot for their communities like donating to charities and food banks! it seems loblaws is trying to slow down franchise businesses as well (closing down certain stores) so doing this COULD create a bigger change in the business! obviously everyone do whatever they choose just wanted to remind in case people were unaware :)

My fiancé and I have 4 kids and he’s always been an active parent to our kids (as active you can be when you’re working overtime). Things in our relationship have been strain for awhile till about 2 months ago. How all my thinking of something is going on with a co-worker is that… one night during a snow storm after working a 12 hour shift I was stuck because my car fuel pump wasn’t working and he knew our car kept doing that at the time. The whole day I haven’t heard from him which actually started being unusually common when we would talk all day. I tried calling him multiple times and he kept ignoring it, I was stuck for 2 hours in a snow storm. I finally get my car to kick on and drive to the bar. My adrenaline was pumping he was at a bar ignoring my calls for hours when he was just supposed to have a meeting for 2 hours. He was there from 4:30 to 10:00 for this “meeting” with all his coworkers. The female coworker in question was hip to hip to him. Yes she’s 19 in a bar. How? I don’t know… he has his manager, He’s the General Manager and she’s his “apprentice”. I was very upset that night but they all welcomed me, not him 😂 she went and sat with him the whole time while he was glaring at me because everyone was hanging out with me and I wasn’t supposed to be there and I embarrassed him for showing up. Then another time comes where he ended buying me all the stuff I needed to finally do my hobby of acrylic nails (been wanting to do for years) I get all of it and he says I have to do her nails, not a want but have to because she wanted them done. I set up a time with her and ended up wanting to do it at her house. He freaked out called me names and everything because I wanted to do it over there. Not sure if it was because he thought I was thinking something? She ended up cancelling anyways! there’s multiple pictures of her in his phone that are work related but why so many of just this one coworker. He says she’s his apprentice! They text a lot and they text more than we do. The text of there’s compared to the other coworker girl he has is completely night and day and actually was laughable how dull he was being to the other female coworker compared to this one. I go crazy and read these texts over and over because I can’t get past something not feeling right. The quick texting back and fourth when he tells me he can’t even text at work due to being busy. They text I guess when they split off teams. He said he accidentally sent a “ok beautiful “ text to her, he deleted it and I saw it. He did text her he meant to send that to her brother right after that. And then there was this recent text. He’s helping her move up in the field and she went home to change her clothes and he said “ahhhh getting all sales girl’d up I see nice” . Shes inappropriate with her jokes with him, he sends her stuff she should get. On top of that he’s been in the field for 7 years and all of a sudden he wants to buy a bunch of expensive new clothes for just work ( makes he’s color coordinated which is different) he puts cologne on (wouldn’t be weird if in the whole 12 years of being with him him he never did that before going to a labor job), wants to get tatted up out of no where (I love tattoos, i have multiple and so does he) he wants to go get scheduled to get his chest and neck tattooed. Wants designer clothes just really materialistic out of no where with a big ego. Doesn’t spend much time with the kids anymore.. Never was like him before this job which started in February. He gets really mad anytime I bring her up in any way that’s not lifting her up. He praises her when he knocks everything I do. He lets her be as late as she wants everyday, definitely not like him. I have PTSD and ADD, not sure if I’m rationally thinking or not that’s the worst part of having this crap. I feel like at this point, I’m in the wrong for looking. I had a wake up call from this situation that I needed to do more for him. I can say our relationship has been strain for a long time. Since this situation it has been going a lot better, but just this co-worker girl. Am I going crazy y’all? Is he flirting, or you think somethings going on? Reddit I know you guys got my back 🩷

I’m a full cycle AE and my sales cycles are about 9-12 months. As a result, business lunches and coffee meetings are super common and necessary to keep my champions and advocates motivated.
I’ve been doing this for about a year and a half and I’ve noticed my male clients accept my invites about 10% of the time, while my female clients accept almost 100% of the time. I’m really not trying to make any statements on gender here, I’m just confused and wondering if this is normal when prospecting to the opposite gender?
For context, I’m a 34 year old feminine-presenting woman.
I’ve never been described as bubbly or enthusiastic, so I really don’t think it’s due to a perception of being flirty or unprofessional.
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

As If It Were Kismet: Prologue
Matt tore through the brush, blind in the dark. He didn’t care where he was going. He only knew he needed to be elsewhere. Far from here.
Behind him a creature howled that shocked his mind. It’s form was cruel and dangerous, though female. Nothing like the young woman she had once been. Nothing but a girl, a small and slight female.
It’s guttural growls and howls only grew closer as Matt tried to pick between seeing where he was going and getting away. The few times he looked he caught sight of the creature behind him. Hopping through the air with a speed that told him he was being toyed with. As if he were a mouse being played with by a cat.
But the reflex in him to run kept him going. His adrenaline going as hard as it could. The tightness and burning in his core tensing and locking up as his legs felt like there were being burned from within while taking on more of a heaviness.
His lungs were starting to betray him as he tried to gulp big breaths of air but only rapid and shallow breaths were all that he could manage. His brain was starting to burn….and then he was falling.
Falling down the side of a hill he saw the creature dart in a spring towards him, imperceivably fast almost. Catching him in mid air it seemed.
Managing to wrap its body around him and cushion his impact against the ground as they rolled. His mind barely took in what was happening during the roll. Only starting to understand what was happening once they were still.
The creature's triple D-cup breasts were unmistakably pressed hard against his back as he laid facing up at the night sky.
For a few seconds the world stilled and the needle light pain hitting the center of his brain took over for the cooking heat his brain had felt. His whole body felt heavy and reluctant to move.
Even if he could have really moved, a dull ache came over his limbs making them feel stilled and trapped as if by immeasurable amounts of sand that had engulfed him.
Slowly the arms holding him started to move. Moving so the creature's hands could start exploring him. Causing Matt to unstoppably let out a pathetic moan that made him go cold inside as hands lifted up his shirt and started to touch his exposed stomach and then his chest.
He would have whimpered so pathetically had he not still been in the depths of terror.
As its hands felt and groped his pecs he tried to situp as if to get away. For his efforts, his reward was a hand around his throat and a collection snarls and growls against his ear. A beastly, guttural voice spat words at him while somehow holding a feminine tone.
“Don’t move….I don’t know if I can calm down…”
Her words were not helped by her moans in his ear and the subsequent kissing of his ear. The flesh of his ear going between her lips as she moaned and seemed to pant. Releasing it and licking the side of his face with a moist warmth. He could feel its spittle, viscous and coating his flesh where the tongue touched. He could smell something in his saliva. Something that subtly entranced him.
Matt went stock still with fear and the confusion of mixed arousal. He barely perceived her right hand traveling lower on his body. A surprised moan and shudder echoed in the night from Matt’s lips as she took ahold of him. Her hand above his pants but still….stimulating him.
A light squeezing and almost probing of her digits kept him aroused and confused within her grasp. Resigning himself to the strange fate, Matt looked up at the stars as his mind tried not to shatter under the strange maelstrom of events and sensation that had started mere minutes ago.
His mind was only more confused as a slight figure, feminine in build, how it seemed to thunk the ground audibly as she landed on her feet out nowhere. Her knees barely bending under the pressure of the landing. Yet dirt was kicked up anyways and some of it onto Matt. Feeling it pepper his shirt and pants as it fell.
The figure, lit only faintly by moonlight, roared some dark tone Matt could only perceive as a demon as her eyes went bright with a crimson light. A light in the darkness that should not have been. “Let him go you bitch.” Was its words following the roar. Spittle escaping its mouth with faint droplets hit Matt's face.
The creature holding him by his throat and crotch seemed to tighten the grasp of both hands as it roared back. “HE IS MINE!”
The figure paused with a moment's hesitation. He was also her quarry. She had felt his fear without him knowing. His confused arousal. His fear. His terror.
And now he laid at the center of a struggle between two monsters. Unsure of who he wanted to win.
As If It Was Kismet Ch. 1
Matthew Berkshire hadn’t seen his mom in two years. Not that he had seen her much over the last six years.
A messy divorce between messy people and mom’s chaotic want for a life in Alaska had been one of the most…upsetting times in life. Setting him up for so much of what had defined his life thus far but then that had really started two years before he ever turned.
His ear buds were basic and simple. A part of cheap five pack, common for his life as he was known to lose little things. Small things. They had a mix of metal and hard rock playing in them. Some classics, some alternative. Whatever made him feel something, anything. Even if it was hate. Anger. Rage. It was better than feeling numb. Not belonging.
The escalator down to his lone bag to go with his lone carry on showed his mom waiting for him. His had a type, that’s for damn sure. Not that it helped him in the genetics department as he was stuck at 5’9” to go along with his mother’s five foot even as his dad stood six foot. Forever leaving him to feel small, to pale, under his dad’s shadow. Did he ever stand a chance?
The guy next to her with the unkempt former seventies porn stache was “Dave.” He’d met him twice when his mother came and visited him in Florida. To his credit the guy didn’t look annoyed. Kind of concerned kind of which made Matthew want to break his frozen look but he was well practiced. Having removed any note of sadness from his face through much…tribulation.
His mother’s look on her face betrayed a hint of worry as the bruises on his face lightly showed up close. Saying his name was his like a distant echo that belonged to someone else.
Dave cut in and pulled out his right headphone. “What the hell bud, they knock you hard enough to hurt hearing? Your mom’s asking how you are doing.”
Matthew pulled out the other bud and grunted an empty “sorry.”
“You still have bruises after two week? What did they do to you?” His mom’s voice was full of worry. Something he hadn’t heard in….too long. Too long to make him feel anything. To ever make him believe there was any sincerity to her words. To not think her voice and mannerisms were an act. An act by someone who…wasn’t really there.
“It’s only fair. I took a nose. Fractured a couple orbital bones. Left one with having to get his jaw wired shut. And one will never walk right again for what I did to his knee cap.” Matthew said it all with a bored and disinterested tone. Perhaps well rehearsed.
“My man, handing out ass kickings, not bothering to take names.” Dave was quick to be the typical man’s man about it. Matthew wasn’t quite done yet. Lifting up his shirt to expose the right side near his kidney. Revealing a nasty scar from a six inch blade. “Luckily they gave me this first so they could rule it all in self-defense. The fuck didn’t get it in more than inch before I ruined his knee cap and then I took the nose of one of the fucks holding me.” Now he chose to smile keeping the well practiced dead look in his eyes.
No retorts. No questions. Just horrified looks on their faces. As he liked. As he preferred. They could hate him. They could be disgusted by him. But by God they would fear him.
“Well the doc did a good job sewing you up.” Dave commented uncomfortably. “Dissolving sutures. Ain’t they grand.” He smiled again and let it abruptly fall off his face and started walking to the carousel for the baggage claim.
Waiting and making small talk with Dave as his mother stood in silence. He was not the little boy she abandoned. The little boy she left with an angry man. While never hitting him. Left him in constant fear till he turned twelve and just didn’t care anymore. Something snapped. Broke. And he didn’t care if he died. Didn’t care if he stole. Didn’t even care if he killed. He just knew not to get caught. Something left over from his grandfather’s wisdom which came to make more and more sense with each passing year of life since that thing inside him broke.
Finally his bag came around and Dave went to try first to grab it but Dave practically leapt ahead of him. “Is that your grandfather’s rucksack bag?” his mother asked in a perplexed voice.
“Figured it’s been around since Viet Nam. So it’d serve me better than any of the worthless stuff they called luggage.” Dave commented after Matthew’s words. “Well hell yeah I still got mine from Desert Storm. You know the first one.” Dave laughed and Matthew eyed him oddly. Be it in the south or whether it was Alaska, country boys are country boys he guessed.
The car ride to the two people’s house, as Matthew thought of them. Was uneventful and full of vistas he imagined metropolitan types wetting themselves over. At most they meant isolation to him. Furtherness from the world as there were no mountains in Florida. And what mountains he had last seen in another state had been when he was eight. Another life, to Matthew it felt like. A life alien to him.
As If It Was Kismet Ch 2
Dave and his mom’s place was some two story type tucked into a tree line far up an elevated point. It was by no means the highest point in the mountain but it certainly felt up there.
Rocks were where the driveway should have been Matthew thought. Grabbing his backpack and rucksack from Dave’s jeep was no hard thing for him. Matthew was in formidable shape for someone his age, maybe even five years older. He had gotten a mix of fairly big shoulders and arms along with the chest to go for it when compared to most kids his age. A side effect of working out at least twice a day. First thing in the morning, some time in the evening, and the school’s gym when had had a good semester in school before he had to leave Florida.
Dave tried to come up and help him but Matthew walked past him towards the house. His mom was not sure what to make of his demeanor. Matthew was not the sweet kind boy he had once been. But she had been gone from his life essentially for a long time.
Ushering him into the house she cracked some joke he did not hear. He was too busy looking about and seeing a mix of old outdated decorating mixed with the strange and odd flair of his mother. Color contrasting against drab and dated. Like brightly painting over an old home that was falling apart he thought.
“Your room is this way Mattie.” His mom brightly intoned.
Without expressing any interest he followed his mother. Still faced and nonplussed. Just going along with the current. Pushed and pulled with its roll like a piece of driftwood.
The room was simple. A single small bed. A set of rubber weights with a curl bar and barbells. “Your dad said you were into weight lifting so we got you a bunch of stuff. Dave says it looks like his department’s gym almost. The woman’s smile felt very alien to him.
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ve got most of my stuff from home.” Matthew starting unpacking his rucksack and pulled out cables of repetitive and mixed colors. A single plastic barbell handle. The ruck sack could be filled with water bottles for added weight during pushups he figured. Remembering a Michael Keaton movie he watched with his dad post-Batman movies where he played a convicted killer using plastic bags filled with water for weights.
Matthew caught movement outside his lone fairly large window that could let him step out onto the roof of the house given its layout.
He saw a number of people running together through what he guessed was the backyard of the property, not that it had any fences to mark boundaries
They wore clothes that looked similar yet different from each other at the same time.”Oh those are the Johnston’s. Really nice bunch of people. Been on the mountain for a long time Dave tells me.”
Matthew looked at the group of people running and noticed the lack of resemblance. “They are related?” Matthew quizzically asked. Seeing a black and possibly a hispanic person amongst the bland looking white people.
“Oh well they are all adopted but for one or two of them…besides the parents of course. The family has a long tradition of taking in orphans they say. Real nice of them to do that don’t you think.”
Matthew looked at his mother and the hosier accent made no sense to him as he arched his left eye brow. Her and his dad were both from Florida. Born and raised. Sure her parents were from New York city but…
Matthew shook his lightly without turning to look at his mother as his vision was grabbed by one of the runners in particular. A girl of moderate height. Soft brunette. A plain beauty he figured with a slim build….and lack of remarkable breasts and rear to make any note of but….girls in general were his type at his age.
She was pretty enough. He couldn’t deny that but he found himself transfixed by her visage.
But the way she turned and looked at him, especially at that distance felt very disconcerting to him. Even if she was smiling like…she was a taste of a bright shiny day. Somehow.
Matthew’s mom noticed the exchange and smiled to herself with closed lips. “Oh that’s Vicky. She’s your age I think. Very sweet girl, who does the charity functions. You know bake sales, blood drives, car washes and the like. I think you should get to know her. Might be good for you.”
A truck horn sounded a couple of beeps in rather succession. “Oh that must be Mack, he said he might come by later this evening but he seems early.”
Matthew’s mother turned and left his room. Leaving Matthew to exchange a few looks with the alluring Vicky as she turned her head away from him to talk to the others in her group and look back at him.
Still Matthew’s left eyebrow was arched. In a way that reminded him of Spock from Star Trek that he and his grandpa used to watch on some streaming service or another.
As he heard ambient chatter elsewhere outside the house he figured to check it out as the alluring sight of Vicky would be around he figured. It was dull to stare at artwork. He was a boy who preferred jet skis and the like. Something he could ride and enjoy immensely. Even if at times it got him stabbed.
As If It Was Kismet Ch 3
Matthew sauntered out of the house and down the rockway that stood in for a driveway.
A few new people had come over from what he could first surmise of the situation. As he got closer it was obvious they were indigenous people. A couple of grown men…and a girl?
She was mousey. Maybe five foot. Hiding behind glasses and a big camo jacket that was far too big for her. It looked made for a grown man and the backwards trucker hat on her head kept her long black a beautiful mess of sorts.
She was cute in a way. A little androgynous but she had a cute energy to her. She reminded him of the more tomboyish Puerto Rican girls he had gotten into back in Florida. Given the deer corpses in the back of the truck….probably more dangerous to play with given the men in her family.
Small chatter passed between the adults when the girl noticed but turned away, trying to hide the tiny hint of a smile.
“Oh Mattie, this is Mack. He works with Dave at the sheriff’s department and John, he’s with fish and wildlife.” Matthew nodded at his mom’s words with some blankness as he looked at the deer the in the back of the pickup truck.
“Gale tells us you hunted with your dad some in Florida and Georgia.” Mack offered with a light hearted laugh camouflaged by his big simple and cheery but husky way he spoke.
Looking in the back of the truck he spoke. “We used lever action thirty-thirties and Mosin Nagants in seven-six-two-fifty-four-rimmed.” Mack and John whistled in an exaggerated fashion. Leaving Matthew to wonder if they were mocking him.
Mack spoke. “Well we just used thirty-odd-six in a custom gussied Garand.” That caught Matthew’s attention. “You have a Garand…” Matthew finally demonstrated interest in anything. “My dad has an SVT-40 and a Hakim 8mm but he always wanted a Garand but was too cheap to buy one.”
Gale, his mother, chimed in loudly. “Oh his Dad loved his guns but was such an odd duck about how he bought or why he bought them. Never made sense to me how he wasn’t a collector but he didn’t get the latest and greatest.” Gale laughed uncomfortably. At least it seemed that way to Matthew.
Matthew pointed to the girl with an underhanded pointing hand. “And who is this? A cute little mute mouse or does she have a name?” Dave and the other men laughed.
Mack again spoke. “Well you people call her Rebecca, she’s my adopted daughter.” Matthew was taken aback by what he heard. “You people?”
Rebecca kindly spoke with a soft but almost melodic voice as she struggled to maintain eye contact. “White people or rather not members of our tribe. It’s just easier to appease the colonizer kind of thing. Borrowed from when the Jesuit missionaries chased us up here.”
Mack stepped in. “It’s just easier to have white people names than have them try to say our tribal names. And we don’t want them shortening or Anglicising our names kind of thing.” Rebecca stepped back into the conversation cutting off her adopted father. “It’s an insult to our history basically.”
Matthew cocked his head sideways raising his eyebrows shortly before letting them drop. “Well as soon as I’m eighteen I’m out of here and back to Florida so I’m a sort of involuntary colonizer of sorts. So I won’t be taking any of your land from you. The Seminoles on the other hand are still shit out of luck.”
Rebecca’s smile caused Matthew to reflexively smile. Mack made the moment more awkward. “See Becca, I told you someone off the reservation would like you some. You just have to be creative.” Mack laughed in a chiding manner…Matthew presumed. He sensed that he was the butt of some kind of cultural joke. Like marrying a white guy was some sort of insult or mark of shame. That kind of thing.
Rebecca turning away from him was not something he had been expecting. Her then getting in the truck in a huff left the group in a silence for a moment.
Dave spoke to break the awkward silence. “Well just bring the truck to work on Monday and leave it for me to grab up.” Mack acknowledged Dave and they started to get off as Rebecca looked at Matthew for another instance. Matthew couldn’t look away for some reason as the two seemed to lock eyes for an instance.
Till Vicky and family seemed to come jogging down the road. While Matthew’s eyes diverted from Rebecca’s. Hers did not till she realized he was looking elsewhere. And her vision found Vicky and what had been a hint of smile on her face turned glum and disappointed.
Matthew did not look away from the vision of Vicky but instead of a starry eyed fool looking longingly. It was a baffled look. Well baffled for him, with his eyes drawn narrow and night with a focus.
There was something about her…he couldn’t quite put a name too. The way she appeared to him. One second brunette. The next second blonde or blonde like. As if the color appeared in her air and disappeared in fractions of seconds. Much the same way her body almost seemed to…shift…very subtly…smoothly. A nicer bum. Larger breasts. And then back to a simple and plain form. Feminine no doubt. Attractive. But not so…remarkable.
As If It Was Kismet Ch 4
The next two days passed without incident. Nothing of any real substance or challenge to note.
Matthew got settled somewhat and started working out almost immediately. Exploring around the woods but Dave told him not to go far. Especially without a hunting rifle. Dave had left a simple semi-auto Winchester out for him. His bear gun as Dave referred to it with its four round magazine. But Matt figured till he got some practice with the rifle to leave it alone. He made a hiking stick like his grandpa taught him and treated it over a low fire. He would take some electrical tape for the end his hand would grip around. Plenty enough to ward off anything smaller than a bear he figured.
The ride to school was a pain in the neck but simple enough. Dave would let him use a clunker pickup truck he had laying around. It wasn’t pretty but it would get him to and from. Even if it was from the eighties and still backfired on occasion. But for now Dave and his mom took him on their way to the sheriff’s department.
It wasn’t much of a school. It wanted to be modern but its fifties original construction was very obvious. It serviced the pipeline families and familys’ of fisherman who worked the seasons in between their time at the pipeline.
Matt was to report to the principal for some reason Dave and his mom wouldn’t share. Which annoyed him but he figured it was to read him the law of land. Small towns with their big views of the outside world and like.
Dressed in jeans, a grey sweatshirt under a light jacket with steel toed boots set him more apart then he expected. His buzzed head didn’t help matters. Already he was feeling like a stranger in a strange land but he was quite strange after all. And he liked it that way. Normal people were so pathetically disappointing to him.
A secretary or assistant or some such led him to the principal’s office. Where it reeked of real wood that was old and fabric and upholstery that needed to be updated for the last twenty years, Matt figured.
“This is Matthew Berkshire, Principal Andrews.” The man was turned with his back to the door and he was quick to wave her off as he turned her around.
He was an older man. Fat and large. Tall with a body built like he had once been fit and a demeanour of annoyed and irate already as he fixed Matt with a scowl and look of disgust. Another worthless government whore. Matt thought to himself. His father and his grandfather had bestowed unto him a natural disrespect for government workers and the figures that wore unjustified authority as a shield but pretended the weight of the state was not at their back ready to crush all who resisted. Little figures of valor pretending to be mighty and alone but acting with the tyranny of the state and all the backing.
“Mr. Berkshire, please sit down.” His tone wasn’t unusually hostile, just gruff. As if he had better things to do.
Matt complied and took a seat in the chair while maintaining a friendly facade. Not everyone was an enemy. And not everyone needed to be an enemy. Even if anybody could be any enemy. There was no reason to make enemies you didn’t have to. Another of his grandfather’s bastardised wisdoms.
“Well I looked over you file and you have quite the history Mr. Berkshire.” Matt resisted qiuping back a joke. Instead he waited for Principal Andrews to continue as he remained nonplussed and looking as if he felt no need to respond. A simple head tilt with dead eyes looking back at the principle as if he was not even there would suffice.
Matt’s reaction or lack of a reaction rather made Principal Andrews only narrow his eyes with examination. He was not used to a kid not responding to him. Especially with his gruff and hard act going on.
“Well by all accounts you moved here after some problems at your last school. A fight broke out and you did some real harm to your fellow students it appears.” Of course, he would take the side of the perpetrators. School administrators always did. Especially when they weren’t white. Just a fact of the times. Cowardice and pathetic mediocrity was the way they leaned, like good government workers sucking the dick of Big Daddy government. Worthless whores.
Matt chose to reply. “Oh you mean the criminals that stabbed me. Got arrested at the hospital and then pled to felonies. Yeah Florida, with the American counties are good like that.” Principal Andrews went real still. No shame. No fear. No penitence. He didn’t like that.
“Well be it as it may Mr. Berkshire we don’t tolerate that kind of behaviour here…” Matt cut him off responding with a deadpan tone. “You mean self-defense meant to save one’s own life while the cowardly and pathetic school workers look on with zero interest but to keep their money rolling in and will allow known gang members with records of violent acts and crimes that should have them expelled many times over, where in certain Democrat counties such cowardice and idiocy empowered a couple school shooters?”
Principal Andrews looked at the Matt with a note of disgust. “Look here Mr. Berkshire, your beliefs matter not one bit here. This isn’t Florida. We don’t like our way of life being disrupted by outside agitators who have problems with authority.”
Matt did his best not to roll his eyes and let the older fat man drone own as he dead-stared him. Lifeless and without emotion.
The man came to a finish and Matt spoke up without having listened to him or paid him any attention. “Great now that’s taken care of. Can I please get to class and finish my sentence of two years at your wonderful school?”
Principal Andrews huffed and snorted before calling in Vicky. Vicky stood in the corner after entering with a quiet and seamless presence. Matt felt disturbed and tried not betray his feelings as the young Vicky was perceived and not perceived to be moving.
Principal Andrews made the introductions and Matt nodded back. She was to be his chaperone for the day. They had the same classes and she was to show him the ropes so to speak. The ins and outs of the school. The locations of their classes.
He recognized her. It was hard not to. The way her appearance seemed to shift fluidly almost. The petite and skinny brunette ever so lightly had a big bust and blonde hair with curves added when she seemed to shift before his eyes. Like watching a film but each frame had a different person.
Matt didn’t say anything about it. Even if he did he would only be acknowledging his crazed state, if he had one. If.
Unlike an obedient puppy dog he got up in a slow and awkward fashion and followed behind her as his oddly disproportionate frame allowed. Causing her a note of concern for some reason. As if she was seeing something she shouldn’t have been….Or he was just weird. And Matt could admit to himself he was just weird. Part of his charm, he would jest about it at times. Not that he had many people to jest to now.
As If It Were Kismet Ch. 5
Following Vicky into the hall off to their first class was simple. She exchanged small talk and he slightly smiled as if to obviously suggest he was just being polite.
Inside his head, Matt was trying to figure out if he was having a psychotic break. The way Vicky looked kept changing and he looked at the other people around him and they stayed the same.
He was searching his mind as they were walking. And thus he wasn’t paying attention to where he was looking and so fell to his face forward over his feet seemingly out of nowhere.
A series of laughs erupted as it sunk in that he was obviously tripped. Like in prison this was a challenge to his superiority. If he let this pass he would be mocked and sneered at by this same group of boys. He wouldn’t walk to them like he was going to do nothing like a little bitch.
In a rage he turned and punched the stomach of the first face he saw. Some typical blonde haired wannabe jock. He knew from experience not to aim for the ribs. Instead he needed to aim for where he thought the belly button was.
Yells and screams blindly echoed around him as his after the punch he followed up his elbow of the opposite arm slamming into the face of the jock. Harder than a fist, the elbow struck the jock’s jaw and seemingly dropped him against a locker. Just in time to catch an errant and soft punch to the nose that sure enough hurt but did little to slow him down as his dad had taught him to fight through the pain. Blood and scars happened. They were a natural consequence of life to a man.
Taking the punch and falling further into his red state Matt headbutted the punch thrower before another guy arm bared his throat from behind. Which he managed to get his grip on the arm over a letterman jacked and jerk the unprepared boy to the side with him still latched on.
A few feet away from the lockers Matt knew his only chance was to jump and push off the lockers and knock the boy to the ground and so he did. He heard a thunk of the boy’s skull bouncing off the ground and he turned to pull out of the grapple.
The beatings he had taken from his father, the grapples, being choked unconscious. Had prepared him for fighting little bitches who didn’t know what a fight was. It wasn’t gay porn with rabbit punch fists flying.
Blood was running down his face and the pain started to hit him as the threats had been eliminated. Only then did he remember to breathe. Taking breathes as Vicky came up to him with tissues and took a hold of his nose.
“Owww owww owww what the fuck my nose could be broken.” He said to Vicky as she pulled his head up and back.
“It’s ok Carl. It’s done.” Matt tried to look to see who Vicky was talking to. It was a boy taller than his 5’9” by more than a small margin. The boy eyed him bored and annoyed before speaking. “What happened here?” An unoriginal line but one Matt couldn’t be a smart aleck about. “Well you see there was an outbreak of tripping and we all tripped over my dick. It happens.” Matt was about to laugh when Vicky seemed to pull up while still gripping his nose causing Matt no small amount of pain which he audibly evidenced.
Vicky spoke in a tone he wasn’t expecting. As if she was accustomed to issuing orders. “Keep Iris away from the hall till we sanitize the site. We have blood from at least three people contaminating the site. And have Jake bring me a spare jacket and shirt for this moron.”
Carl seemed to acknowledge her orders and seemed to blink away. Maybe the punch hit harder than he expected. He had no time to wonder as Vick took her hand away from his and pushed him against the lockers. With ease he had not been expecting from her form and stature.
Before he could respond Vicky licked his blood covered chin and then his lips and spoke to him. “Focus on me you little blood bag.” Her tone had an annoyed yet feminine sneer.
“Look into my eyes. Look at me. You belong to me. You are just another food source in a collection of food sources.” Her eyes were a beautiful hazel Matt thought. Almost green. Pretty like jewels in some old treasure collections. The eyes he could get lost in before kissing her. Finally Vicky was just a slight and petite brunette and he thought she was beautiful.
She would make a hell of a girlfriend. Some cute thing he could see laying on the beach in Florida on their sides laughing and smiling before trading light kisses while hands wandered innocently. Before his mind could drift further he felt her lips on his. It took him a second to mentally grasp the kiss but his arms were around her back as her hands were at his sides. His eyes reflexively closed as he saw hers close.
It was ineffable to Matt. Beyond words, what was happening. The kiss, the moments beforehand. The way his brain tickled with electricity and gentle warmth. He had never had a kiss like this and he had traded more than a few kisses with at least a few girls.
The kiss was like a warm bath with his consciousness slipping beneath the surface. Their lips only parted to try new angles and approaches as Matt struggled to take in breath. It was a moment he could have stayed trapped in for….he didn’t know. But a curt throat clearing by another girl pulled them out of the moment.
The girl was taller than Vicky. Blonde. With slight curves. Vicky addressed her bewildered and gobsmacked, and perhaps a bit embarrassed. “Tina?”

Good morning everyone,
I was recently laid off and I have been openly looking for work on LinkedIn. I had a connect reach out regarding a job at her husbands work. He then reached out to me and there is a lot of interest on both ends. However, there is no Job Title/Salary listed - they are asking me what I would want it to be. I have 7 years of experience in digital marketing, primarily focused on Marketing Automation but also have done PPC, social media, graphic design, etc. Here are the details:

• Personal Injury Law Firm based out of Philadelphia
  • I am located in the suburbs of Chicago, fully remote position
• Reporting to Director of Marketing
• Responsiblities sent to me were in reference to a specific campaign for Pressure Cooker accidents. The responsibilities include:
  • Targeted Content Marketing: Develop blogs, infographics, and FAQs focused on pressure cooker safety and legal recourse available to victims. Create downloadable content such as safety guides or what-to-do checklists in exchange for contact information.
  • PPC Campaigns: Use Google Ads and Meta Platforms to run targeted ads using specific keywords related to exploding pressure cookers. Implement geo-targeting to focus on areas where these incidents are more common or where product sales are high.
  • Social Media Marketing: Utilize platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share stories of previous clients, safety tips, and legal advice. Run lead generation ads that direct users to a landing page where they can sign up for free consultations.
  • Video Marketing: Produce video testimonials of past clients and explainer videos on what legal steps to take after an injury. Distribute these videos on YouTube, TikTok, and as part of social media ad campaigns.
  • SEO and Local Search: Optimize your website content for SEO to rank higher for related search terms. Ensure your Google My Business listing is updated and optimized for local searches.
  • Email and SMS Campaigns: Set up automated nurturing campaigns to educate and engage leads captured through different channels. Use SMS to send quick updates and reminders about safety news or legal consultations.
  • Networking and Partnerships: Attend and sponsor industry events and seminars relevant to product liability and consumer safety. Join professional groups and associations where you can contribute content and expertise.
  • LinkedIn Marketing: Use LinkedIn for targeted ads and content marketing focused on demonstrating expertise and successful case studies. Engage with potential referral partners by joining discussions and sharing insightful content.
  • Referral Program: Create a formal referral program that offers incentives for other professionals to refer clients to your firm. Clearly communicate the benefits and terms of the referral program through dedicated landing pages and during networking events.
  • Co-Branded Webinars and Workshops: Host webinars and workshops in partnership with medical professionals or safety organizations. Focus topics on consumer safety, legal rights, and case studies related to product liability.
  • Direct Outreach: Use a targeted email campaign to reach out to potential referral sources with information about your expertise and past successes. Follow up with phone calls or personal meetings to discuss potential partnerships.
  • Content Marketing: Produce white papers, case studies, and articles that showcase your expertise and success in cases related to exploding pressure cookers. Distribute this content to potential referral sources and make it available on your website.

As you can see, it is essentially running the marketing department for the firm by myself. The Director is very opening to assisting if/when needed for anything I am uncomfortable with or isn't a strong suit.
With all of this information, what would my title even be, and what would be a fair salary for someone in the Chicago suburbs? The amount of responsibilities makes it feel like an Associate Director position, but traditionally Associate Director's aren't doing all the heavy lifting.
Happy to answer any additional questions - I want to make sure I am taken care of and not lowballing myself. Thank you