Building a Conglomerate in Another World - Chapter 62 - New Stream of Income Part 1

The first day of sales at Hesh Motors’ flagship store had gone better than anyone expected. Customers flooded the showroom from the moment the doors opened, with most purchases being paid in cash. The wealthy upper-class clientele showed little hesitation in acquiring the luxurious Hesh-S 16, while the middle class gravitated toward the more affordable sedan and pickup models. By the end of the day, the sales desk was stacked with contracts, and the garage adjacent to the showroom was steadily emptying as buyers drove away in their new automobiles.

Matthew stood near the sales desk, watching as the last few customers finalized their purchases. He turned to Amber, who was helping a family choose between the sedan and the SUV. She caught his eye and smiled.

“This has been a great start,” Amber said as she joined him. “I wasn’t expecting so many cash buyers.”

Matthew nodded. “Neither was I. It seems the upper class was more than ready to embrace the automobile. That’s a good sign for us—it means we’ve positioned the brand well.”

Amber glanced around the showroom, now quieter as the day came to a close. “Still, I think there’s room to grow. We’ve got a good start with sales and the driving schools, but what’s next?”

Matthew thought for a moment, then spoke. “I have an idea. Let’s close up here, and I’ll discuss it with Mr. Fitzwilliam tonight.”

Later that evening, Matthew and Charles Fitzwilliam met in the office above the flagship store. Charles, as usual, had a glass of brandy in hand and a satisfied smile on his face.

“Well, Matthew,” Charles began, “today has been a resounding success. You’ve proven that the automobile isn’t just a novelty—it’s the future. And it’s clear that Hesh Motors is leading the way.”

“Thank you, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” Matthew replied, taking a seat across from him. “But I believe there’s more we can do to ensure our long-term success. I’d like to propose starting a new business—an insurance company for automobiles.”

Charles raised an eyebrow. “Insurance? For the cars?”

“Yes,” Matthew said, leaning forward. “Think about it. Automobiles are a major investment, even for the wealthy. While our vehicles are built to last, accidents and mechanical issues are bound to happen. Customers would feel more confident buying a car if they knew their investment was protected.”

Charles nodded slowly. “Go on.”

Matthew continued, keeping his explanation straightforward. “Here’s how it would work. We’d create a separate company—let’s call it ‘Hesh Assurance.’ This company would offer insurance policies exclusively for Hesh Motors automobiles. Customers could choose from different levels of coverage, depending on their needs. The policies would cover things like repairs, damage from accidents, and even theft.”

“And how would this benefit us financially?” Charles asked.

“There are several ways,” Matthew replied. “First, the insurance premiums would generate a steady stream of income, even after the initial sale of the vehicle. Second, we’d keep most of the claims in-house by partnering with our own repair shops. That means we control costs while providing quality service. Third, offering insurance builds customer loyalty. People who feel secure are more likely to buy from us again.”

Charles sipped his brandy, considering the idea. “And the risks? Insurance is a business with its own set of challenges.”

“That’s true,” Matthew admitted. “But we can manage those risks. Our driving schools significantly reduce the chances of accidents, and our vehicles are built to be durable. Plus, we’ll start with conservative coverage limits and adjust as we learn more about customer needs and claim patterns.”

Charles leaned back in his chair, a small smile forming. “It’s a smart idea, Matthew. I like the sound of it. What’s your plan to get this off the ground?”

Matthew outlined his approach. “First, we’ll hire experts in insurance—actuaries, underwriters, and claims adjusters. They’ll help us design the policies and calculate the premiums. Next, we’ll integrate the insurance offering into the sales process. When a customer buys a car, they’ll have the option to purchase a policy on the spot. It’ll be seamless.”

Charles nodded. “That makes sense. How do we get customers interested?”

“Simple,” Matthew said. “We market it as peace of mind. We’ll emphasize that their investment is protected and that any issues will be handled by professionals who know their car inside and out.”

“And the name?” Charles asked. “You mentioned ‘Hesh Assurance.’ I like it.”

“Thank you,” Matthew said with a smile. “It ties in with the Hesh Motors brand and reinforces our commitment to supporting our customers.”

Charles raised his glass. “To Hesh Assurance. Let’s make it happen.”

The next morning, Matthew gathered his leadership team to share the new idea. He explained the concept and the potential benefits, breaking it down into simple terms so everyone could follow.

“Our customers are making a big investment when they buy one of our automobiles,” he said. “By offering insurance, we’re giving them peace of mind. And for us, it’s a way to generate ongoing income and strengthen our relationship with them.”

The team responded positively, offering suggestions for how to implement the idea. They discussed hiring insurance professionals, partnering with repair shops, and creating marketing materials to promote the new service.

Within weeks, Hesh Motors began laying the groundwork for Hesh Assurance. Matthew and Charles worked together to recruit experts and set up the necessary infrastructure. Lawyers drafted contracts, actuaries calculated premiums, and the marketing team developed slogans like “Drive with Confidence, Drive with Hesh Assurance.”

By the end of the summer, the first Hesh Assurance policies were available to customers. When buyers visited the showroom, they were presented with the option to purchase insurance alongside their automobile. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many customers choosing to add a policy for the added security it provided.

Matthew stood in the showroom one afternoon, watching as a customer signed up for both a car and an insurance policy. Amber approached him, a hint of curiosity in her expression.

“You never stop, do you?” she asked with a smile.

Matthew chuckled. “Not when there’s more we can do. This insurance business is just another way to show our customers that we’re looking out for them.”

Amber nodded. “And it’s a smart way to boost profits, too.”

“Exactly,” Matthew said. “Everyone wins—customers get peace of mind, and we create a steady stream of revenue. It’s the perfect complement to what we’re already doing…and there is another idea which could add another stream of revenue…”