The classic novel The Red Pony by John Steinbeck includes four stories about a young boy Jody Tiflin who lives on his father’s California ranch. Similar to Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, the story takes place in America in the early 20th century. Each of the novel’s small town setting provides a simple yet unique economy. Through the stories of Jody Tiflin and Janie Crawford, I have made some conclusions about their specific economy. I believe that the economies of The Red Pony and Their Eyes Were Watching God contain a relatively independent economy that features many dedicated and self-employed members of society. Through the short stories in The Red Pony, Jody learns the importance of being an independent rancher who can provide for himself and his family. Although Jody is only ten years old at the start of the first story, his father Carl Tiflin believes that the most important way to mature is through firsthand experience. Mr. Tiflin asks “If you could have another horse would you work for it…?” and states that “Billy says the best way for you to be a good hand with horses is to raise a colt” (60, Steinbeck). Billy, the only paid worker on the Tiflin ranch, adds “It is the only way” (60, Steinbeck). As an aspiring leader in the business world, I completely agree with the way Carl Tiflin is teaching his son. Just like in business, the only way to get a true grasp on becoming a rancher is to actually get firsthand experience. Through the knowledge that Jody has acquired from these experiences, when he grows up he will be ready to take over the family ranch and be an important component of the local independent economy of the small California town. Similarly through the stories of Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston expresses the immense productivity of some of the dedicated workers that help the local rural economy in Eatonville. After buying another two hundred acres of land for this Florida town, Jody Starks was told that “uh store right heah in town wid everything in it you needs. ‘Tain’t uh bit uh use in everybody proagin’ way over tuh Maitland tuh buy uh little meal and flour when they could git it right heah” (37, Hurston). Janie and Jody decided to build and operate the store which becomes the center of Eatonville’s economic activity. Their store is the staple in the local economy where everyone can come get almost all of their needs close by rather than traveling to the mainland. Although Janie and Jody are extremely wealthy they continue to be some of the hardest workers in the town. They seem to be strong believers in the quote by Charles Lazarus that “hard work is the key to success…” Their hard work and commitment to success has lead to a new store, post office, and many other great things for this city as Eatonville becomes a small independent economy in the early 20th century. Although the two settings are almost completely different – one being white California town and the other a black Florida town – they have two very similar economies. At the heart of both of the economies are dedicated and hardworking workers that are important components to their respective economies and their economic independence. Through the childhood adventures and learning experiences Jody Tiflin has prepared himself to be a productive and committed leader in his local economy. On the other hand, the wealthier Janie Crawford and Jody Starks established a central store that becomes a key fixture in the Eatonville economy where citizens can purchase goods and services. In both Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Red Pony dedicated workers allow for their local economies to have a sense of independence. Hardworking and productive employees, who have incentives to work for, are one of the most important factors in the success of an economy. Because just as NFL legend Vince Lombardi said, “hard work is the price we pay for success.”