Chapter 5: The Birth of Carter Enterprises

  Nate sat in front of his laptop, staring at the newly registered Carter Enterprises, LLC. The feeling of power surged through him—this was no longer just a side hustle. This was a real business, a legitimate empire in the making.

  With his bank balance nearing $10,000, he had the capital to take things to the next level. But to scale up, he needed more than just electronics flipping. He needed infrastructure, a network, and most importantly—a vision.

  The first step was setting up a business bank account. By separating his personal finances from his business, he could build credibility with banks, qualify for better financial products, and even establish a business credit line.

  He made his way to the local bank and walked into the office with confidence. Dressed in a sharp blazer, he exuded the air of a young entrepreneur ready to take on the world.

  "Good morning, sir. How can we assist you today?" the bank representative asked politely.

  "I’d like to open a business account for my company, Carter Enterprises," Nate said, sliding his newly minted LLC documents across the desk.

  The woman nodded, typing into her computer. "What kind of business is this?"

  "E-commerce and retail," Nate replied smoothly. "We specialize in high-demand electronics, collectibles, and luxury goods."

  It wasn’t a lie. He was selling electronics and planned to expand into collectibles and high-end items. But in the grand scheme of things, this was just the first step.

  Within an hour, his business bank account was active. He also applied for a business credit card, something that would allow him to leverage the bank’s money while still racking up cashback rewards.

  [Ding! Business Growth Bonus Activated!]

  [Business Bank Account Opened!]

  [$2,000 Cashback Reward Granted!]

  Nate’s lips curled into a smirk. The system was still rewarding him for making the right moves. It wasn’t just about spending—it was about investing in his growth.

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  Now that he had an official business and proper banking, it was time to expand his inventory. Buying from retail stores was profitable, but it wasn’t sustainable. He needed direct supplier connections to get bulk pricing and priority access to high-demand products.

  He began contacting wholesalers and distributors, using his new business credentials to gain access. It wasn’t easy—most major suppliers didn’t take young entrepreneurs seriously. But with persistence, he managed to land his first bulk order deal: a batch of 50 gaming consoles at wholesale price.

  Total cost: $20,000 (using a mix of savings and credit)

  Resale value: $1,200 per unit

  Potential revenue: $60,000

  It was a calculated risk, but the profit margin was undeniable. If he could turn this inventory over quickly, he’d be sitting on a fortune.

  [Ding! High-Stakes Investment Bonus!]

  [$10,000 Cashback Applied!]

  Just like that, his spending was rewarded once more. His available cash shot up, and he was still in a position of strength.

  Now came the biggest challenge—how to store, manage, and ship his growing inventory.

  Up until now, he had been operating out of his bedroom, but that wasn’t going to cut it anymore. Boxes were piling up, and his growing business needed logistical efficiency.

  He scouted a small warehouse space, a 500-square-foot unit located in an industrial park. The rent was steep at $1,200 per month, but it was a necessary investment. More importantly, it gave him the ability to scale up further.

  [Ding! Business Expansion Bonus!]

  [Warehouse Secured! $5,000 Cashback Granted!]

  He was starting to see a pattern—the system wanted him to grow. As long as he reinvested, the rewards kept coming.

  Nate could only handle so much on his own. Between managing sales, logistics, and supplier relations, he was stretched thin. It was time to bring someone on board.

  He needed someone reliable, someone who wouldn’t question why a sixteen-year-old was running a growing empire. And he knew just the guy.

  "Bro, you’re telling me you started a full-on business and didn’t tell me?" Jordan, his best friend, exclaimed as they sat in a local café.

  Nate smirked. "I had to make sure it was legit first. Now, I need someone I can trust. You in?"

  Jordan leaned forward. "What’s the job?"

  "Warehouse manager, logistics, and some customer service. I need someone to help handle inventory, pack orders, and make sure things run smoothly. Pay’s solid."

  Jordan whistled. "Man, this is crazy… but I’m down."

  [Ding! First Hire Bonus!]

  [$3,000 Cashback Applied!]

  Nate’s grin widened. With Jordan handling operations, he could focus on scaling up even faster.

  With a warehouse, supplier deals, and a reliable employee, Nate was no longer just a reseller—he was a full-fledged e-commerce businessman.

  His next goal? Branding.

  He needed Carter Enterprises to be more than just another seller. It had to become a name people trusted and sought out.

  He designed a sleek, professional website. He optimized his social media presence, running ads to generate buzz. He reached out to influencers for sponsorship deals, leveraging their audience to grow his brand.

  Within a month, Carter Enterprises was pulling in $50,000 in revenue. His profits were soaring, and he wasn’t slowing down.

  But Nate knew one thing: this was just the beginning.

  His empire was rising, and soon…

  The people who abandoned him would see his success.