In both my personal and career life, 2019 was one of the more challenging but rewarding years.
The Motley Fool Singapore – what I believe was an excellent portal for investor education in Singapore, and a platform that I had been contributing to – unexpectedly closed down (for commercial reasons); Ser Jing – my fellow Good Investor – and I subsequently decided to launch a fund; we started our blog to share our investing thoughts; we joined a company with an eye on helping the less fortunate in Cambodia; and I finally got engaged!
It was indeed one heck of a year.
With that said, I decided to pen down a few things I learnt along the way.
Don’t underestimate human generosity
The cynic in me used to believe that the majority of people want to see others fail. There’s even a word for it in Germany: Schadenfreude.
But this year I learnt that while there are people who are generally self-serving, many are not. My personal encounters with generous people – people who were willing to share, teach, and help – have made me believe in the innate generosity of human beings.
Setting up a fund is not an easy task, a task which Ser Jing and I could not have imagined doing on our own. Thankfully, throughout the year, we encountered countless people who were willing to take time off from their busy schedules to help in whatever way they could.
Meeting people who didn’t even know us well but who were willing to share insights, give advice, and encourage us, was a truly humbling experience.
Be open to new experiences
I knew that setting up fund was not going to be easy. Compliance needs, regulatory requirements, gaining the trust of investors, legal fees, etc, are all challenges we have to overcome.
But a fund would also be an avenue for Ser Jing and I to help more people prepare for retirement, provide us with a platform for investor education, and to be a guiding light on how funds should charge clients. It could also be a great way to give back to society (as Ser Jing and I have pledged to give back at least 10% of our personal profits from the fund to charity).
Taking a step in the dark can be daunting. But it can also be hugely rewarding.
Even if the fund does not achieve all our goals, there are still many invaluable lessons from what we have done so far.
The friends made, the knowledge gained, and the chance to make a meaningful impact make it all worthwhile.
Surround yourself with the right people
This is a cliche but it is one worth repeating. This year could not have been so fulfilling or rewarding if not for the people who have supported and helped us.
My family not only provided the encouragement to take the leap of faith but also the support that all entrepreneurs really need.
I am also thankful for friends who have placed their trust in Ser Jing and me and have been willing to support our venture so far.
This year has indeed been a messy one; one of change, challenges, and uncertainty, but it has also been one that taught me to treasure my close circle, shoot for the moon, and not to underestimate the generosity of humans. I certainly wouldn’t have had it any other way.
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