Woke Hero Consulting
The room was lit by the gentle glow of a vintage lamp, casting warm light over the polished wooden desk where Hector sat. A sleek plaque reading Woke Hero Consulting gleamed subtly at the edge. Across from him sat Martin, the owner of Pawfect Companions, a family-run pet store that had been in the heart of the town for three generations. Lines of worry creased Martin’s forehead as he adjusted the collar of his worn polo shirt.
“I just don’t know how much longer we can hold out,” Martin said, his voice cracking with exhaustion. “Since PetGiganto opened their superstore by the highway, our sales have dropped by nearly half. They have everything at prices I can’t match, and now they’re offering same-day delivery. Our loyal customers… they’re starting to fade away. It’s only a matter of time before we’re finished.”
Hector leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, eyes thoughtful. “And what do you want from us, Martin? How do you see Woke Hero Consulting helping you?”
Martin’s eyes darted down to the floor as he sighed. “I’m not even sure. A friend said you helped a bakery downtown last year and turned their sales around. I need someone to see the angles I can’t, someone to make us stand out and show the community why we’re worth supporting.”
A smile played at the edge of Hector’s lips. “I understand. And yes, I think we can help you, but it’s not going to be an ordinary marketing campaign. What I’m proposing will require commitment and trust.”
Martin straightened in his seat, the glimmer of hope breaking through his fatigue. “I’ll do whatever it takes. Just tell me what to do.”
Hector nodded, the smile now spreading. “Good. We’ll take the job, and we’re so confident it’ll work that Woke Hero Consulting will only take 25% of your increased profits as compensation. But there’s one condition. You must donate 10% of your profits to Woke Hero Solutions and make that a part of your story. We’ll build your brand on the foundation of altruism and community support. Are you willing to do that?”
Martin blinked, the weight of the words settling in. His mind raced through the implications, the potential gains and risks. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Yes. If it’ll save my family’s store, I’m in.”
Martin walked into the sunlit office of Woke Hero Consulting. He was grinning, though his eyes carried the exhaustion of someone who hadn’t had a full night’s sleep in weeks. Hector stood as Martin entered, extending a hand.
“Martin, it’s good to see you,” Hector said, the warmth in his voice genuine.
Martin shook his hand firmly, then sank into the chair across from Hector’s desk. “I’m sorry it’s taken so long to meet again. Honestly, we’ve been busier than we’ve been in years. It’s… well, it’s all thanks to you.”
Hector’s eyes brightened, and he clapped his hands once in a congratulatory motion. “That’s what I like to hear! I knew you could do it. Your shop has become the talk of the town, and for good reason.”
Martin nodded, an almost incredulous smile breaking through. “The altruism angle—it’s really working. People come in not just for the products, but because they believe in what we’re doing. I can’t tell you how many customers have shared stories about how they feel proud to support us, knowing part of their money is going to Woke Hero Solutions. It’s like… it makes them feel like they’re doing something good just by shopping with us.”
Hector’s grin widened, but then he let out a small laugh and murmured under his breath, “Hypocrites.”
Martin’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Hector leaned back in his chair, folding his arms with a relaxed confidence. “Tell me, Martin, what do you think your charitable donations were funding?”
Martin blinked, momentarily thrown off. “The food bank and the homeless shelter, right? I assumed it went to support those in need, like we talked about.”
“Exactly,” Hector said, his eyes glinting with a sharp intelligence. “And where are those food banks and shelters located? Right next to your big competitor, PetGiganto. Everyone loves to claim they support the oppressed, but when they see people in need gathered outside the chain store—the very people your donations help support—well, suddenly, they start looking for a different place to shop. It’s human nature. They want the feeling of doing good, but without confronting what they don’t want to see.”
Martin’s eyes widened as the realization settled in. He felt a mix of astonishment and unease. “So… you’re saying that all this time, we were shifting the landscape without even knowing it?”
Hector nodded, his expression turning serious. “Your store is thriving because we not only made it the moral choice, but we made sure that people felt that choice. Meanwhile, PetGiganto has become a symbol of what they’d rather avoid. You, my friend, have shown them that community isn’t just a word—it’s action.”
Martin sat back, absorbing the implications. He looked at Hector with newfound respect, tinged with a slight edge of caution. “I didn’t realize just how deep this strategy ran.”
“That’s why you came to us,” Hector said, his voice softening. “Sometimes, to make the world better, you have to understand what really moves people. And you did your part with heart. That’s what matters.”
The room fell into a reflective silence, broken only by the distant hum of a city now filled with whispers of change.