He later told me he didn't want to appear over qualified to join the corporation.
"Sounds like you got what you deserved. You paid zero and got zero back. This isn't really about money for you, is it? "
Did you read, "I hired the man on the spot and eventually sold the company to him.
He was promoted to General manager in two years, with a little assistance he was able to assume most of the CFO responsibilities. He was later promoted to COO. After five years in that position he came to me with the purchase proposal. Total time employed, which included standard benefits and of course drawing a substantial salary, 14 years, nine months.
During this time he gained three or four degrees and personally paid to go to at least three short term trade schools that I knew of. I reembursed him these costs in the form of additional performance bonuses.
The man made more money for me than I could have ever expected from any man who just walked in the door without an appointment to meet with me.