"Not very long," answered the Mexican.
"But then why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs...I have a full life."
The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and then a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open up your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City or Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge enterprise."
"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.
"Perhaps twenty years," replied the American.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? That's when it gets really interesting" answered the American laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And then after that?"
"After that", concluded the American, "you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny fishing village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying the company of your wife and friends."
One of the blogs I follow 'Lovely Clusters' has come up with an idea for bloggers to network. Check out her post here on March 22nd http://lovelyclusters.blogspot.com
This is an example of what you need to write:
Hi, my name is Amanda Lincoln & I am a Surface Pattern & Graphic designer, based in Hertfordshire in UK. I live with my housemate Matt and my bunny Maisy has the run of the garden.
I have three sides to my business, I design pattern for product such as wrap, giftware, scrapbooking, cards, partywear etc. http://www.amandalincoln.co.uk/portsp01.html
I also design licensed character product using style guides for manufacturers of things like mobile phone accessories, tablewear & stationery. http://www.amandalincoln.co.uk/portlp01.html
Plus I work with new & small businesses, designing logos and stationery http://www.amandalincoln.co.uk/portgd01.html
I have always loved being creative and I feel so lucky to be able to do this as my job. I have a particular passion for anything girly and Hello Kitty is my favourite license to work on.
This is my email address if you'd like to contact me:
amanda@amandalincoln.co.uk
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I was always drawing as a kid and when I went to a careers evening at school when I was 14 I found out there were actual jobs in art I was delighted. The fact I could get a job doing something I enjoyed was so exciting my mind was made up after that.Design books/blogs/websites you can’t live without?: The Writers and Artist's Year book by A&C Black it has stacks of advice and contact info, a bible for the freelancer. The websites I need most is the Association of illustrators, Public Lending Right where you register all your published books and get 5p every time someone takes your book out of the library works out to be a tidy little sum. Also ALCS Authors Licensing and Collecting Society and also DACS Designers and Artists Collecting society both these organisation collect fees from schools, universities, colleges, libraries etc to allow people to photocopy work from books, magazines, photos, designs etc and the distribute to all those whom have made a claim.
What are the inspirations/ influences for your work?
There are so many that I could not pick one or even three but illustrators whose work I love would be Alan Lee, Raymond Briggs, Helen Craig, John Butler to name a few. It is good to be inspired by other people's work but it is also important to carve your own path too.The future, what are your next plans?
Start my own blog, find other ways to earn money without too much effort, for example selling prints and look out for exciting projects that are new and challenging.Do you have any advice for wannabe illustrators out there?
Work hard. If you pitch for a job and they ask for 1 or 2 ideas give them 5 or 6. You can never have too much work. Do your research, make lists, go to exhibitions or trade fairs to see clients all under one roof (yay!), read books on copyright, see above websites for workshops and advice, design a letter head and business card for yourself that represents you, make up a packs (25+) of colour samples (prints not originals) that is easy to make but is clear, neat and professional then target agents and clients that you think your work would fit in well with. Keep on doing this until you get positive feedback. Expect it to take 2-3 years before you have a semi descent income therefore be careful with your money and/or do a part time job to top up your salary. Swot up on tax and contract law because you will need it to defend your rights and income. Be organised, dedicate an area in your home that is sacred to your work. Demand support from family and friends and tell any doubting Thomas's that it is possible to make a good living out of freelancing.
