This Is Not a Drill! We Have a CEO!

I take it back.

We have one reply

And just like that, I was a genius again.

We have ONE REPLY! One real-life CEO who actually opened my letter and wrote back. Is weird because suddenly, I had no doubts about this project

I ALWAYS KNEW IT WOULD WORK!

Six days after I dropped them in the mailbox, this landed in my inbox:

Naturally, I assumed it was fake.

I checked the sender. Real.

Checked again. Still real.

Then I just sat there and stared at the screen like… wait, this actually worked?

And just like that, everything shifted.

Not because BAMA said yes, but because someone did.

Someone read the letter.

Didn’t throw it out

Didn’t ignore it.

Actually thought: "Sure, let’s hear what this random 19-year-old wants".

Suddenly, I wasn’t just a girl with an empty inbox and a spreadsheet full of rejection and 3000kr less. I had a real meeting. With a real CEO. On the calendar.

And yes, I may have overused the sentence:

“Sorry, can’t, I’ve got a meeting with the CEO of BAMA.”

To my friends. My mom. People I just met.

But come on, let a girl have her moment.

The Scoreboard (Updated):

Day 1: Nothing

Day 2: Still nothing

Day 3: A ping from Gmail, it was Spotify ads

Day 4: Took it personally

Day 5: Existential crisis

Day 6: Redemption time

We were no longer at zero.

We were at 1/20. That’s 5%.

Still bad math, but better than nothing.

And then… more replies started coming in. Over the next 3 days I got replies from the following companies:

Storebrand

One of Norway’s biggest names in pensions, insurance, and long-term savings. These people basically help entire generations plan for the future. 250+ years of history. Serious influence.

Orkla

One of the biggest within consumer goods. If you’ve eaten, cleaned, or showered in Norway, Orkla probably had something to do with it. They own a huge portfolio of brands, and they operate across everything from frozen pizza to face cream.

Vy

Formerly NSB now the company keeping Norway moving. Trains, buses, infrastructure, they’re basically the backbone of public transportation. And as tech and AI change how we travel, they’re right at the center of it.

Sval Energi

A newer, ambitious player in the Norwegian energy sector. With a focus on Oil and gas, but also the transition to something greener. They’re doing big things in one of the most high-stakes industries in the world.

Suddenly, this thing had momentum. Real momentum. And that’s when it hit me:

Wait... I have my first meeting in three days.

And I have no interview questions!

What do you even ask a CEO?

What would a consultant ask?

Am I supposed to sound insightful? Analytical? Like I didn’t just Google “what is management consulting” this morning?

Time to get serious and do some real homework:

Step 1: Build smart, thoughtful questions.

Step 2: Figure out how to speak with confidence and not seem like a 19 year old girl

Step 3: Try not to accidentally say “bro" or swear during the interview

I think I will figure this it out, but I need to stay efficient. That’s really what it’s all about: learning as I go, taking one slightly intimidating step at a time.

— June