...

'How long did it take you to catch them?', the American asked.

"Only a little while", the fisherman replied.

'Why don't you stay out longer and catch more fish?', the American then asked.

"I have enough to support my family's immediate needs", the Greek said.

'But' the American then asked, 'what do you do with the rest of your time?'

The Grecian fisherman replied, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take an afternoon nap with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my friends, I have a full and happily busy life, sir."

The American scoffed, 'I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing.'

"Really? Then what?"

'With the proceeds you buy a bigger boat.'

"Then what?"

'With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats.'

"Then what?"

'Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.'

"Then what?"

'Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers.'

"Then what?"

'Eventually opening your own can factory.'

"Then what?"

'You would control the product, processing and distribution.'

"Then what?"

'You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to the big city.'

"Then what?"

'Then you could move abroad and eventually even to America where you will run your expanding enterprise.'

The Grecian fisherman asked, "but sir, how long will all of that take?"

To which the American replied, '15 to 20 years.'

"And then what sir", the fisherman asked.

The American laughed and said, 'that's the best part ... when the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you'd make millions.'

"Millions, sir? And then what?"

'Well', the American said, 'then you could retire, move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take afternoon naps with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and enjoy some music with your friends, you know, live a full and happy life.'

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