[Unknown Author]
An American businessman was at a pier in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and he asked how long it took to catch them
The Mexican replied, “Only a little while”.
The American then asked, “Why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?”
The Mexican said, “I have enough to support my family”.
The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and I 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 will have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening up 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 to LA and eventually to NYC, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican asked, “But, senor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15 to 20 years.”
“But what then, senor?”
The American laughed and said, “That is the best part. When the time is right, you will announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, You will make millions.”
“Millions, senor? Then what?” The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your friends.”