Skip to content

Business Quote by Frank Mayer

“When I went into the business, I sat down and figured that I was indeed one of fortune's children. Just think. There were 20 million buffalo, each worth at least $3 -- $60 million. At the very outside, cartridges cost 25 cents each, so every time I fired one I got my investment back twelve times…” quote by Frank Mayer
Download Open image
““When I went into the business, I sat down and figured that I was indeed one of fortune's children. Just think. There were 20 million buffalo, each worth at least $3 -- $60 million. At the very outside, cartridges cost 25 cents each, so every time I fired one I got my investment back twelve times over. I could kill a hundred a day… That would be $6,000 a month -- or three times what was paid, it seems to me, the President of the United States. Was I not lucky that I discovered this quick and easy way to fortune? I thought I was.””

Frank Mayer

About This Quote

Source Speech: Business interview, 19th century, US cattle industry

He believed his venture was extremely profitable because each shot returned many times his investment, making him feel exceptionally lucky.

In simple terms: He thought his business was a quick, easy path to wealth.

Key Takeaway

Recognize that perceived easy profits often hide hidden costs.

Themes

profit perception risk luck

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

advice analytical

When to use this quote

  • ranching
  • firearms trade
  • early entrepreneurship
  • wealth building

Key Concepts

economics investment overconfidence

Questions to Reflect On

  • What hidden costs might be overlooked in seemingly easy profits?
  • How does overconfidence affect business decisions?
A Different Perspective

Success may be unsustainable and dependent on external factors.

4.2 out of 5 (6 ratings)

More Business quotes

Browse all 39,016 Business quotes