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Chapter 145: The Listing of Facebook and Banana
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 17:09:26 +0000 UTC"Happy Birthday..."
"Hurry up, Gilbert, make a wish and blow out the candles…"
At the Melon Manor, a birthday party was in full swing. Gilbert's friends had all come to celebrate.
Naomi Watts had decorated the entire party and even hired a chef from an Italian restaurant to prepare the birthday dinner at the manor.
"Alright," Gilbert clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and made a wish. "For my first wish, I hope everyone's life and career flourish."
Leonardo laughed and said, "I didn't expect you to make a wish for us."
"Shh, don't talk. Gilbert, continue," Sophia hushed Leonardo and urged Gilbert to keep going.
"For my second wish, I hope the company goes public successfully this year and the stock prices soar."
"Great, and the third wish?"
"This third one… I'll keep it to myself." Gilbert made his final wish silently, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles.
"Congratulations, Gilbert, you're 25 now…"
"Twenty-five already? Time flies!"
Everyone presented their gifts. Leonardo gave him a high-end fishing set—essential equipment, even if the fisherman catches nothing. Matt Damon gifted a bicycle, suggesting they ride together along the coastal road for exercise. Sophia presented a set of clothes from her new fashion design company, asking Gilbert to try them out and give feedback.
The most unique gift came from Scarlett—a cat. Scarlett loved cats, but her mother didn't allow her to keep one, so she gave the cat to Gilbert, ensuring she could visit the manor to play with it.
"Scarlett," Gilbert asked as he stroked the kitten, which purred contentedly, "does this cat have a name?"
"No, you should name it," Scarlett replied.
Recalling a cat he had in a past life named "Candy," Gilbert said, "How about Candy?"
"Candy?" Scarlett repeated it twice and nodded. "I like it. Candy it is."
Thus, little Candy became a formal resident of Melon Manor.
After the guests left, it was time for personal enjoyment. This time, Naomi dressed up as a teacher, Charlize Theron as a judge, and Cameron Diaz donned a costume inspired by a comic book cat burglar. They put on an elaborate show for Gilbert, catering perfectly to his tastes.
The next day, however, Gilbert shook off the indulgence and headed to San Francisco for a meeting ahead of Facebook's IPO.
Since 1995, Facebook had performed exceptionally well in the first two quarters. With the rapid growth of North American internet users, Facebook's user base had begun to grow exponentially.
North America now had 25 million internet users. The second-place platform had only two million, and even the combined user base of the platforms ranked below it couldn't match Facebook's reach.
Washington's foresight in proposing the construction of the "Information Superhighway" back in 1993 had proven invaluable. While other regions still relied on dial-up internet, North America was transitioning to broadband, acting as a rocket booster for Facebook's growth.
By the end of the second quarter, Facebook had become the largest photo-sharing and social networking platform in the U.S., especially popular among young people, with its user base surpassing five million.
After the meeting, Facebook held a press conference, drawing attention from tech, financial, and even entertainment media outlets. Tech and financial reporters were initially puzzled by the presence of entertainment journalists, but they understood once they saw Gilbert, Facebook's largest shareholder.
Gilbert's involvement in Facebook was no secret, and many speculated on how much wealth he would accumulate once the company went public.
The press conference, hosted by CEO Mark presented data showcasing Facebook's promising future.
"Since the first quarter of 1995, the company has grown rapidly, entering a phase of high-speed development. Our shareholders are optimistic about the company's future,"Mark said confidently. "Facebook, as the most popular social networking site today, has caused a storm in the North American internet space. Its interactive nature and real-name-based social system have become a societal phenomenon."
The press conference was essentially a showcase of strength, aimed at reassuring the market and encouraging investors to buy in.
The strategy worked. After the press conference, influential outlets like Silicon Valley Tech and The Wall Street Journal covered the event extensively. The Journal even declared, "This July, Nasdaq will go crazy over Facebook."
In Hollywood, the focus shifted to Gilbert. Unlike many who struggled outside the entertainment industry, Gilbert thrived as if in his element, earning widespread admiration.
Due to Gilbert's heritage, some media outlets revived discussions about his origins. The Washington Post even dubbed him the "Son of God," a title that left Gilbert momentarily stunned. "Did they just compare me to Jesus?"
However, upon reflection, he wasn't surprised. Religion often served as a tool, and this era was particularly favorable for mythologizing certain groups. Gilbert's success made him a prime example for his community to promote.
For Gilbert, this recognition was advantageous, especially during Facebook's IPO. He received numerous invitations from influential groups, though he declined those from extremist organizations, delegating such matters to his father.
As July 1995 arrived, Facebook executives gathered at Nasdaq for the highly anticipated IPO.
Gilbert struck the ceremonial gong, signaling the start of trading. Investors eagerly rushed to purchase Facebook shares.
Ordinarily, companies required roadshows to boost investor confidence before an IPO, but Facebook needed none. The moment trading opened, demand surged, even causing the SEC's website to crash temporarily. When trading resumed, Facebook's stock price had jumped from $3.80 to $11.70 per share, closing the day at $15.30.
This IPO was even more sensational than last year's launch of Netscape.
Mark and Honey Mars became millionaires overnight. As the largest shareholder, Gilbert retained significant holdings despite selling a portion, with his shares valued at $500 million.
By the close of trading, Facebook's market capitalization reached $1.3 billion. The momentum continued, with Banana following in August, achieving an $800 million valuation.
With stakes in both companies, financial analysts estimated Gilbert's net worth had exceeded $1.5 billion, making him the wealthiest under-30 individual, surpassing heirs to major hotel and luxury brands.
Unlike those who relied on family wealth, Gilbert's near self-made success added another legend to the American Dream.
