A long time ago, l invested in a pre-IPO startup and lost my life savings because the company couldn’t get to revenue.

I actually make more money in my business today than that company did.

The glam was real though - fancy office, fancy suits, big Fortune 500 names behind the management team.

They threw out lots of finance terms that I didn’t fully understand at the time. Warrants, options, debentures, convertible notes, bought deals, etc.  

It was a company run by super smart middle aged men in crisp white suits, $20k+ watches, luxury SUVs, and trophy wives.

I was 24 at the time. I put in my life savings into the company which was around $30k cash. Dollars saved from my own paychecks from age 14-24.

Most of that money was working minimum wage jobs at retail stores and restaurants.

I seriously thought I was a hot sh*t that wouldn’t need to grind through corporate over the next 30 years like everyone else.

I wouldn't need to chase stocks for breadcrumbs like everyone else!

By the way, I tell this story not to badmouth anyone, but for illustrative reasons to make a point. $30k comes much easier to me now 🙂.

Business is hard AF. It's easy to criticize management decisions in hindsight.

The company had regulatory issues.

There was lots of drama between major shareholders about the cap table.

The Fortune 500 former executives couldn't get the company to revenue.

There was consolidation M&A from majors in the industry.

At the time, I thought by the company going public it was a guaranteed slam dunk lottery ticket.

I pulled out my calculator on a regular basis to see what my net worth would be if the share price hit $X, $Y, and $Z.

Bought it in a TFSA because I was a smartass, duh.

And that is how my $30,000 life savings became $0. True story.

All good, I'm a big girl.. and that’s what makes life interesting.

What this taught me was that I was on my own to figure out how to make money for myself.

At the time, I knew better than believing in financial products sold to the masses.

I knew better than listening to investing advice from financial advisors at banks.

Between 2020-2025, I 3x’ed an initial investment by going against popular opinion.

Capital markets are more efficient now vs Warren Buffet's dial up internet days, but opportunity always exists if you're willing to seek it.

I sold off my gains late last year to buy a house.

I'm often told that I am crazy for having some opinions against the grain.

And this is what opinions against the grain bring you:

Two hedge funds reaching out for intros to compare notes in the past week. Both organic inbound.

Last week, spoke with a CFO that manages a $1bn P&L asking me if I could do equity research for his personal portfolio. Came from an IG DM.

Back to the original story.

It taught me that complexity in business does not make for a better business or a better investment.

It taught me how look past face value re: investor relations and news cycle narratives.

It taught me to understand what actually drives equity valuations, at both the macro and individual company levels.

It taught me to be a bit more careful at judging the glam that people show the world.

Now.. I’m not a perfect person by any means.

I don't have all the answers to everything all the time.

I do know what it feels like to be sold a promise, and not get what was promised.

I do know what it's like to feel small and ignored, after putting your life savings behind trusted reputations.

A 24 year old? She's a kid.

A $30k cheque? Just another retail investor.

A woman? We don't need her opinion.

Now a days with anything financial, I strive to understand the truth on my own, my way. And I try to communicate finance in a way that people can actually understand.

I recently signed a handful of new clients and feel pretty blessed for the position I’m in. Have some great case studies to tell coming up.

Retelling a story like this is a humble reminder to use my strengths to do good, and to never take client or investor trust for granted 🙏.

Best,

A