BY ANONYMOUS
The American businessman was at the pier of a coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
“Only a little while,” the Mexican replied. The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
“But what do you do with the rest of your time?” the American then asked.
“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, and stroll into the village each evening, where I sip wine and play guitar with mis amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor.
The American scoffed. “I am a Harvard MBS and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds of the bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor and, eventually, open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then L.A., and eventually New York City, where you would run your expanding enterprise.
“But señor. How long will this take?” asked the Mexican, to which the American replied, “15 to 20 years.”
“But what then, señor?” The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO, sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”
“Millions, señor? And then what?”
The American replied, “Then you could retire. Move to a small coastal village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”