MEXICAN FISHERMAN – CIRCLE OF LIFE

The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his catch of fish and 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 he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs so that was it was not necessary to catch more fish.

The American then asked “but what do you do with he rest of your time? The Mexican fisherman said “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a 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 busy life.

The American scoffed. “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, and 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, and become very rich. You would leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then to LA or NYC where you will run the whole expanded enterprise.

The Mexican fisherman asked how long would this take; to which the American answered 15 to 20 years. Then the Mexican asked what then? The American laughed and said that’s the best part.

When the time is right, you announce an IPO and sell stock to the Public and become a multi-millionaire. The Mexican said: “What then”?