Your a newly arrived immigrant from Europe. You wanted to make your fortune in the Americas.

During your journey, your portfolio sank with your ship. You have no contacts in the New World. It would take months to years to gather the letter of recommendations from Europe - that is if they are still there and you remember their address from memory. The other evidence of your work is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

A historical notion that still has applicability in today's world. Think refugees.