My Memoirs - Citizen of the World

understood and left me alone. I found out later that he changed
operations, arranging bus tours to New York City and elsewhere.
After my partner left, I decided it was time to make Deodete, my
wife and companion, a partner in my business. I went home and
told her that Eduardo Rosa was going back to Portugal and that she
could work with me in the office. She was so happy! From that
point on, we worked together at the family business. During the
day, we both stayed in the office. At night, I would go home and
have a quick dinner before meeting my prospects for selling
insurance. At the time, we were not making very much money
with the travel business because we had a contract with Piques
Travel Agency in Cambridge with whom we had to share 50% of
our commissions. Moreover, airlines only paid 7% of the
commission back then to travel agencies, so we could not depend
on the travel business alone to live.
A year later, I went to Boston to take an Income Tax Preparation
course. During that time, there was a considerable influx of
Portuguese immigrants to the area, so I knew I could increase my
earnings by preparing their tax returns. When they arrived in the
country, I helped them to find jobs and to make the transition a
little smoother. I became very well known in the community and,
after they got established with their jobs, they would come to me
for everything, even counseling in personal matters that had
nothing to do with our business. I never turned anyone away.
Naturally, I tried to sell them life insurance as well because most
of them had many children that they would leave behind in the
event of a tragedy.
When I finished the Income Tax Preparation course, I started an
income tax service. I believed I was qualified to do a good job and
to provide a good service to my fellow Portuguese citizens. At the
same time, I’d be able to make some extra money on the side.
There were a few competitors that also provided tax services, but,
as I was just starting out, my fees were considerably less. I
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