Jose Silva

Meet the man who unlocked the secrets of the human mind

Even though he was born to poor parents in Laredo, Texas, on the Mexican border, Jose Silva was always successful. His story is a true American success story. In fact, his story transcends time and space: It is one of the great success stories in the history of the world.

As a six year old boy he began to support his family, after watching his father die as the result of a terrorist act during the Mexican revolution.

Jose learned to read and write on his own - in both English and Spanish

Instead of going to school, he earned money for his family by selling newspapers on the streets of Laredo, and shining shoes, and doing odd jobs.

By the time he was a teenager, he was an employer and hired other youngsters to work with him, going door to door to sell merchandise he purchased in San Antonio. The youngsters were earning as much money after school as their parents earned working full time. And young Jose was earning as much every day as the typical adult in Laredo earned in a week.

One day Jose came across an electronics course, borrowed it, studied it, and went into the radio repair business. Eventually he built the largest electronics repair business in south Texas.

This was pretty impressive for a youngster who had educated himself, had supported his family since age six, and had earned the respect of people in the community.

But there was one area where Jose's hard work and street smarts weren't paying off.

Why weren't his children like him?

P.O. Box 691809, Houston, TX 77269, Phone: 1-866-32-AVLIS (866-322-8547) or 903-922-2532