Learn English quickly with stories | English learning Conversation | Episode 01

Summary

Laura, a passionate young woman, embarks on a journey to create her own business by customizing thrift store finds and reselling them for a profit. Despite facing skepticism and ridicule from her wealthy classmate Kendra, Laura remains dedicated to her dream. After struggling with slow sales, Laura receives support from her teacher, Miss Jacobs, and gains new motivation. By embracing social media and shifting her focus to Instagram, Laura's business thrives, eventually leading to the creation of her own cosmetics line. The story highlights resilience, the importance of following one's passion, and the power of believing in yourself.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kendra initially dismisses the idea of thrifting, calling it 'gross' and unworthy of success, contrasting it with her own expensive taste and privileged background.
• 😀 Laura plans to start a business where she customizes thrifted clothes and shoes, adding bling and selling them at a profit, with a vision of growing her own brand.
• 😀 Kendra belittles Laura's business idea, claiming it’s unrealistic and destined to fail, comparing it to her own luxury shopping habits.
• 😀 Despite the skepticism from others, Laura remains passionate about her dream and continues to pursue it, even though she hasn't made any sales yet.
• 😀 Laura faces slow sales and frustration as her business doesn’t take off immediately, questioning her idea and whether she should give up.
• 😀 A turning point occurs when Miss Jacobs, a teacher, encourages Laura to keep going, reminding her that success comes from doing what you love, regardless of early setbacks.
• 😀 Laura gets advice from Miss Jacobs to try Instagram as a platform for her business, which leads to increased visibility and eventually boosts her sales.
• 😀 Over time, Laura’s business grows rapidly, with her gaining thousands of customers and millions of followers on Instagram.
• 😀 Laura diversifies her business, expanding into cosmetics, showcasing her growth and success beyond what she initially envisioned.
• 😀 Kendra, having struggled with her own business venture, ultimately applies for a job at Laura's company, where she learns that Laura now owns the business with her fiancé.
• 😀 The story emphasizes the power of persistence and passion, illustrating that when you do what you love, success will follow, even if the journey is difficult at first.

Q & A

What inspires Laura to start her business?

Laura is inspired by her passion for fashion and a desire to create something unique. She wants to transform thrifted clothes into trendy, customized pieces and build a business around it, despite the doubts of others.

Why does Kendra mock Laura's business idea?

Kendra mocks Laura’s business idea because she comes from a wealthy background and does not see the value in buying second-hand items. She dismisses the idea as unrealistic and believes that Laura's plan will fail.

How does Laura initially promote her business?

Laura promotes her business by posting her customized pieces on Facebook. She hopes to find customers through social media, despite limited initial success.

What does Kendra’s reaction reveal about her character?

Kendra's reaction highlights her arrogance and entitlement. She is dismissive of Laura’s efforts and believes that success only comes with money and privilege, rather than hard work and passion.

What role does Miss Jacobs play in Laura’s journey?

Miss Jacobs serves as a mentor figure who encourages Laura to persevere. She reminds Laura of the importance of passion and reassures her that the money will follow if she continues doing what she loves.

What does Laura learn from her first sale?

Laura learns that even small achievements, like her first sale, are significant steps toward building a successful business. The sale boosts her confidence and reinforces her belief in her idea.

How does Laura’s business evolve over time?

Over time, Laura adapts her strategy and expands her business by using Instagram as a platform to showcase her customized products. Her following grows, and she gains more customers, eventually making her business more successful than she initially imagined.

Why does Laura decide not to give up after feeling discouraged?

Laura decides not to give up after receiving encouraging advice from Miss Jacobs, who reminds her that success requires persistence. The reminder of her passion and belief in her product motivates her to keep going.

What role does social media play in Laura’s business success?

Social media, particularly Instagram, plays a crucial role in Laura’s business success. By posting her products and engaging with followers, she gains exposure, which helps her attract customers and grow her brand.

How does Kendra’s attitude change by the end of the story?

By the end of the story, Kendra's attitude shifts from arrogance to jealousy and regret. She realizes that Laura’s business, built from humble beginnings, has surpassed her expectations and is more successful than she initially believed.