An overworked American businessman reluctantly took a vacation to a small coastal Mexican village on doctor’s orders. He was on the verge of a massive heart attack and his health was suffering tremendously due to an extreme amount of stress, pressure and responsibility at work, and long hours at the office.
The doctor’s orders were to not think about work at all during his vacation and turn off his cell phone and email. Immerse himself in the beautiful environment and learn to relax and enjoy the time off.
Well of course the American businessmen didn’t follow these instructions and was on the phone for an urgent call the very first morning.
After getting off the phone he tried to get back to sleep. He tossed and turned until he became frustrated and decided to take a walk out to the beach to clear his head.
As he walked down the beach, he came upon a small pier, and at the end of the pier, he saw a lone fisherman with his line cast in the water sitting next to several large yellowfin tuna.
The American walked to the end of the pier and stood next to the Mexican and complimented him on the quality of his fish.
“Nice catch. How long did it take you to catch them?�? the American asked.
“Only a little while,�? the Mexican replied in surprisingly good English.
“I see. Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?�? the American then asked.
“I really don’t need any more senor. I have enough to support my family and even have a few leftover to give to my friends,�? the Mexican said as he put them into a basket.
“But… What do you do with the rest of your time?�?
The Mexican looked up and smiled. “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my 4 children, take a mid-afternoon siesta with my wife, Julia, and stroll into the village each evening, where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a very full and busy life, señor.�?
The American laughed, puffed out his chest, and stood tall.
“Sir, today is your lucky day. I’m a Harvard M.B.A. and I can help you. People pay me hundreds of thousands of dollars for the advice you’re about to get for free.�?
The first thing you should do is spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds you generate, you can buy a boat. On the open water you’ll be able to catch many more fish and you won’t be restricted to this small pier. You can also buy a net.
The Mexican politely said “Thank you for the idea senor, I’ll think about that.�?
“No wait,�? continued the American “I’m not done.�?
“Then, with those extra fish you catch from the boat, nets, and extra hours, you can buy a bigger boat.�?
The Mexican nodded.
“In no time, with the increased haul, you could buy several boats and eventually you would be able to have a fleet of fishing boats.�?
“Wow�? muttered the Mexican.
“Now listen closely and pay attention.�? the American continued. “This is where it gets even better. Are you ready for this?�?
The American continued, “Instead of selling your catch to a middleman like the people at the Fisher’s Market, who is marking up your product and taking part of the profits for himself, you could sell directly to the consumers, pocketing all that extra money and with that, you could eventually open your own cannery.
Now you would control the product, the processing, and the distribution.
You’d be on top of the industry and unstoppable.�?
“For this to happen, of course you would need to leave this small costal fishing village and move to a major metropolitan area with the appropriate infrastructure and resources for growth and expansion.
Probably Mexico City first, then to Los Angeles, and eventually to New York City. That’s where all the big fishing companies are located.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, señor, how long will all this take?�?
To which the American replied, “Somewhere between 15-20 years. 25 tops.�?
“But what then, señor?�?
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public. You would make millions. You’d be rich! You’d have more money than you know what to do with.�?
“Millions, señor? Then what?�?
“Well, the obvious of course….
You would retire and move to a small coastal fishing village, where you would be able to sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings, where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…�?
