How Did Bob Turn Tomatoes into Millions?

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In summary, the conversation discusses a man named Bob who becomes very successful by selling tomatoes after being rejected for a job at Microsoft due to not having an email address. He eventually becomes a millionaire and is able to help out his friend who lost his job at Microsoft.
  • #1
JamesU
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From an email I got:

One time, there was a very poor man named bob. bob had a friend names fred who worked at microsoft. fred knew about bob's financial problems, and since bob was very smart, he tried to get bob a job at the company.

bob did very well at his interviw. he answered all his questions correctly, and impressed the boss. then, he was asked: 'okay, we can start you at $15 an hour, now, I need your email address'. bob told the man that he was ver poor and didn't own a computer, have an email address or have any knowledge on the subject. bob was rejected.

On his way home, bob noticed a guy selling 10 tomatoes for $5. he just happened to have $5, and bought the tomatoes.

He was waiting for a car to pass at the crosswalk when the man in the car said, 'hey, how much do you want for those tomatoes, I have $10.' bob sold the tomatoes and made his profit.

The next day, bob bought 25 tomatoes for $12.50, and eventually sold them for $50. he repeated this precess every day.

by the end of the year, bob had earned quite a bit of money in the tomato sales, he soon bought a truck to be able to transport tomatoes.

by the end of the next year, he had a large area where he and his family grew tomatoes and other plants, and 3 more trucks. he was making about $100,000 a year.

5 years later, microsoft was firing off a whole load of people, of of them was fred. fred was forced to sell his home, and became homeless; bob offered him a small shack, because bob was now making over $5,000,000 in sales.

which means that by having an email address, you are more likely to become homeless than a millionare :biggrin:
 
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  • #2
Aarrrgh ! You completely massacred the punchline (not to say anything of the math :wink:). Anyway, to modify the story ...

At the beginning, Bob was very poor and was "interviewing" for the position of janitor, at Microsoft.

<and after Yomamma's story>

...Millionaire Bob decides one day, to buy insurance. At the end of the process, the insurance agent asks Bob for him email address. Bob replies that he does not own a computer and has no email address. The agent is shocked. He exclaims, "How on Earth have you managed to amass such wealth without the Internet, E-mail and e-commerce? Just imagine where you would have been by now, if you had been connected from the very start!"

After a moment's silence, Bob replies: "I would have been a janitor at Microsoft!"
 
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  • #3
Thank you Gokul, that is much better!
 
  • #4
No! No! A million times NO!

That was a mutilation of a very famous short story by W. Somerset Maugham called "The Verger." Read it here:
http://www.sinden.org/verger.html

edit: or at least go see the last few lines of this story.
 
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  • #5
Does everyone know the similar one about the homeless man living on the beach, and his rich, fishing-corporation-owning friend?
 
  • #6
Chi Meson said:
No! No! A million times NO!

That was a mutilation of a very famous short story by W. Somerset Maugham called "The Verger." Read it here:
http://www.sinden.org/verger.html

edit: or at least go see the last few lines of this story.
Mutilation of Maugham story??
I'm with Chi Meson here; that's sacrilege..

Everyone should read "The Verger"; it's a great story.
 
  • #7
arildno said:
Mutilation of Maugham story??
I'm with Chi Meson here; that's sacrilege..

Everyone should read "The Verger"; it's a great story.
Is it about a man who trims the grass on the side of roads? Sounds :zzz: .
 
  • #8
No, that's "the Merger" by J. Alphabet Balm. Often confused with each other.
 
  • #9
Does anyone know about the boy who cried wolf?
 
  • #10
No, my culture has a different version. The boy cried "Linux" instead and everyone lived happily ever after.
 

FAQ: How Did Bob Turn Tomatoes into Millions?

How did Bob go from being homeless to becoming a millionaire?

Bob's journey from being homeless to becoming a millionaire was not an easy one. He faced many challenges and setbacks along the way, but he persevered and never gave up on his dreams. Bob started by educating himself and learning new skills that would help him in his career. He also networked and made connections with successful individuals who could guide and mentor him. Through hard work, determination, and a bit of luck, Bob was able to secure a high-paying job and eventually start his own successful business.

What motivated Bob to keep going despite his difficult circumstances?

Bob's determination and strong willpower were the main factors that motivated him to keep going. He had a clear vision of where he wanted to be in life and was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. Bob also had a strong support system in the form of his family and friends, who believed in him and encouraged him to never give up.

Did Bob face any obstacles while on his journey to becoming a millionaire?

Yes, Bob faced many obstacles on his journey to becoming a millionaire. As a homeless person, he struggled to find shelter, food, and even basic necessities. He also faced challenges in finding employment due to his lack of education and experience. Additionally, starting his own business came with its own set of challenges and risks. However, Bob never let these obstacles discourage him and continued to work hard and persevere.

How long did it take Bob to go from being homeless to becoming a millionaire?

Bob's journey from being homeless to becoming a millionaire took several years. It was not an overnight success and required a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience. Bob started by educating himself, which took a few years, and then spent several more years gaining experience and working towards his goals. It was a gradual process, but eventually, Bob achieved his dream of becoming a millionaire.

What advice does Bob have for others who are facing similar challenges?

Bob's advice for others who are facing similar challenges is to never give up on their dreams. He believes that with hard work, determination, and a positive mindset, anyone can overcome their struggles and achieve success. Bob also recommends seeking guidance and support from mentors or successful individuals, as they can provide valuable insights and advice. Most importantly, Bob reminds others to believe in themselves and their abilities, as that is the key to achieving any goal.

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