Building wealth isn’t a solo project—just like making a pencil

In I, Pencil (1958), Leonard Read tells the story of a humble pencil—crafted from cedar, graphite, rubber, and lacquer. Yet, no single person can make a pencil from start to finish. It takes miners, loggers, factory workers, chemists, and transport specialists, all unknowingly working together. The pencil is proof of how free markets enable global cooperation, without any central authority directing every step.

Fast forward to 2010, when student Thomas Thwaites attempted to build a toaster entirely from scratch. What seemed like a simple task quickly turned into a near-impossible challenge. He had to mine iron ore for steel, extract crude oil to make plastic (after BP refused to help, he melted old plastic scraps), and smelt nickel from coins. After months of effort, his toaster barely worked—it looked more like a melted cake than a useful appliance. His experiment proved a key lesson: modern economies thrive because of specialisation and interconnected systems.

The same is true for financial markets. Investing, wealth management, and financial planning aren’t about doing everything yourself. Success comes from working with the right specialists, leveraging expertise, and understanding how markets function.

At GPI Europe, we help investors navigate this complex world by providing expert insights, strategic financial solutions, and access to the right opportunities. Just like making a pencil—or even a toaster—building financial security isn’t a solo project.