As a first post on this blog, I'd like to talk about who I am, how I got started in the stock market, and finally the topics you can expect me to write about in the future.
So first, a little about myself.
My Story
To be clear, I have zero experience working in the financial industry. I am an ocean engineer by formal education and currently work as a software developer, which I taught myself in less than two years. What I do have is a passion for learning, problem solving and helping others, especially when it comes to personal finance and investing.
You may wonder how I got involved with investing in the first place. I have none other than my father to thank for getting me started and being there for me as a mentor when I had questions. I think having a mentor to share their investment experience is absolutely key to learning how to leverage the stock market successfully.
"I think having a mentor to share their investment experience is absolutely key to learning how to leverage the stock market successfully."
After getting over the beginner learning curve for investing in the stock market, I became slightly obsessed with the topic. I consumed every investing and trading book I could get my hands on like The Intelligent Investor, A Random Walk Down Wall Street and Unshakeable to name a few good ones I keep in my library to this day. Every conversation I had, and still have to this day, the topic of investing always comes up.
While having conversations with my friends, family and new connections, I realized a common problem: over 50% of people I spoke with were not investing their money. The main reason being they lacked the knowledge to do so.
That's when I decided to be the solution to their problem. Hence the inception of this blog and the courses I am currently creating.
Magic Internet Money
My first stock market experience was back in college about 7 years.
I was working as an undergraduate research assistance while studying for my bachelor's degree in ocean engineering at FAU. While I was working, I had ThinkOrSwim open on my extra computer monitor so I could study how stocks moved throughout the day.
When I finally mustered up the courage, I bought 10 call options on a biotech company (I know super risky!) with scholarship money earning me almost $1,000 in less than 3 days. I wondered where the heck did this money come from!? An extra $1,000 showed up in my account just from clicking two buttons on the internet. Magic!
"I wondered where the heck did this money come from!? An extra $1,000 showed up in my account just from clicking two buttons on the internet. Magic!"
Of course I didn't reinvest this money, but rather went snowboarding in Lake Tahoe without spending an extra dime (it was awesome!).
Knowing what I know today, I am lucky my first experience with the stock market was a positive one, especially since I was winging it with absolutely no plan.
I quickly saw the tremendous opportunity the stock market provided not to just privileged individuals, but for every single person that had access to an internet connection.
Already being financially savvy when it came to making money and saving it, I knew investing my savings (and eventually every extra penny I could make) in the stock market was how I was going to create enormous wealth for myself.
Investing, Trading and More
I started this blog of my website to help as many people as I can, while jotting my thoughts down for anyone interested to read.
Below are a list of topics that you can expect me to write about. I'm sure this list is not all inclusive and will be expanded upon in the future:
- Investing in the stock market wisely
- Stock and options trading
- Trade and investment ideas
- Personal finance and money management
- Taxes involved with the stock market
- Small business and side hustles
- Updates on the hedge fund I manage
Questions?
As I continue to share my knowledge and experience with all of you, please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.
I would be more than happy to help!
Cheers,
Brian