Following my dreams

Most days I drive my 2007 caravan to pick up dirty laundry. Most people don't even give me a second glance, and the ones that do always make some kind of negative face. It wasn't always like this. I was a multimillionaire at one point in my life, however, I ran into trouble and spent 10, years in state prison. During that time I realized that being free was worth more than any amount of money. I put my mind to work earned two degrees and came home with a new outlook on life. It hasn't been easy I wake up and find a way to grind and make legitimate money every day. With my record I cannot drive an Uber®, Whole Foods® interviewed me 5 times and didn't hire me after a background check. At the moment I do laundry services and I make empanadas (meat-filled patties) just to survive. Sometimes I sit for hours with my little black book which includes years of planning and perfecting. If it fell into the wrong hands it would be the end of me and they would become financially well off. During gatherings with family and close friends, the question always arises so what are you planning this time. We know that you have some big plan to get rich quickly again. Let us in so we can help you get it done. Give us a hint. I just smile and say no secret plan just waiting for everything to click and fall into place. I continue to work while I keep thinking who can I get to join me for this master plan I have in my black book. It would take so much to pull this off. The right people, the right place, and timing. Now I'm so focused but to who do I approach without giving away too many details that they can go do it without me. Tonight I have to pitch my business idea in front of some VIPS from different businesses and corporations from around the world as part of an entrepreneur program I belong to. It is finally my turn to pitch and after the meet and greet I know that there are very powerful, rich, and influential individuals in the audience. I ask the program director if I can pitch a different idea that would be more appropriate for this crowd. They ask if I am prepared to switch at the last moment. I said it's now or never. I pull a USB drive from my ID lanyard with my PowerPoint slides. I began my pitch and after shaking off the jitters I pulled off one of the best presentations that this crowd had ever heard. All of the applause, questions, and praise brought me that feeling back from years ago like I was on top of the world. I did it my pitch just earned me a $20,000 prize for the best pitch. Oh, this is great I can lease a place for the restaurant... I couldn't stop daydreaming. Here is the man of the hour Ismael Diaz (snapped me right back to reality) they introduced me to a CEO of a huge investment firm. As we began to discuss my pitch she said "I will be honest with you. Yes, it was one of the best pitches that I've ever heard, but is it a realistic idea, are the numbers real, and will it make us money. I assured her that I have done research and comparisons with other similar businesses around the world, and with the right structure and team, we would make money. The CEO shook my hand and whispered these words if you can have a written business plan in my hands before I get on my flight tomorrow, we'll make a deal. While still shaking hands, I reached into my briefcase grabbed with a tight grip, and slowly pulled out my little black book. I replied with this book and your backing we will change the world. I was on that flight the next day and together we are arranging and fine-tuning my plan that will not only bring me financial security but will also change the world. As for my little black book, the original is in my safe. This will be passed down through my family as a reminder that hard work does pay off when you surround yourself with the right people.