Life in Mexico
An American businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, Only a little while.
The American then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican replied that he had enough to support his family. The American then asked, But what do you do with the rest of your time?
The Mexican fisherman 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 and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and happy life.
The American shook his head, I'm an MBA graduate and could help you. You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from 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, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You'd need to leave the village for a while, move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.
The Mexican fisherman asked, But, how long will this all take?
To which the American replied, Ten to twenty years.
And what then?
The American became even more excited. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You could make millions!
Millions? Then what?
The American said, Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take naps with your wife, kick back in the village at night where you could drink wine and play the guitar with your friends.