Tell xxxx that "Profit is a return on risk". It is a very simple business concept but key if you want to be very successful. You can't have an expectation of a big payoff if you don't' put yourself on the line. People think other people are successful because it was just handed to them or they are "lucky". It is because they took the risk. There is always the possibility that the risk will not pay off or you'll suck at it or lose your money, but that is the price you pay for your return. You just have to have confidence that you can turn it around even if things don't always go great. It seems like this is what John has worked for all his life so far. If this is what he wants, he shouldn't be ruled by fear and left that take away this great opportunity.
With my business for example, I have good people that work for me that think they should have an ownership interest. I say " great, if you want to buy out another partner, we can pursue that." They say "well I don't have the money" I say "you could mortgage your house like I did" and they say "no way do I want to do that". And it's like, well you don't take the risk you don't get the payout. Which is fine if you don't have big expectations for yourself. Just don't sit around whining about your life not being what you want if you are not willing to take the risks to get there.
