Teacher in my 30s, investor in 40s, writer in 60s - Why I Am UnStoppable

One of the values I learned rather early in life was financial empowerment. Financial empowerment is vital for a woman's identity. Over the past 20 years, I have built my family's investment business from scratch, a journey marked by solitude, market volatility, and humbling experiences.

As a young teenager with a strong academic inclination, I pursued an MA in Political Science from Delhi University, harbouring aspirations to further my education in the United States. Despite my ambitions, my parents advised against studying abroad, encouraging me instead to complete a Bachelor of Education and embark on a teaching career. Following their guidance, I married at 24 and spent the next 8-10 years teaching English and Political Science to Grade 9 and 10 students in various schools across Delhi and Mumbai.

While I found teaching rewarding, I was intrigued by the technological advancements infiltrating the educational sector, particularly the integration of computer languages into the curriculum. This interest led me to complete a course with Tata Infotech in 1998, marking my foray into the world of technology.

Around the same time, in 1994, The National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India initiated its operations, revolutionising the market with technology-driven trading platforms. This development captured my attention, prompting me to enrol in a course at NSE. My key concern was learning charting and technical analysis, learning the existing and newer indicators reading up Steven B Achellis’s book with over a 100 indicators, Sheldon Natenburg’s Option Volatility and pricing which went a long way in teaching me the finite aspects of the Derivative market (Futures and Options) Indian authors like Ashwini Gujral with his numerous trading strategies in the Derivatives market were also my “go to” reference.

Tom Dorsey’s book on point and figure charting and lectures and webinars on The Art of Chart and in recent years as the Trading world changed - Hedging, Risk management, Cash futures arbitrage were my key concerns. Introduction of Derivatives was the beginning of a new era in Indian markets and new financial products. Index futures and Index options particularly stocks were my special interest. I was also fortunate to have a mentor who helped introduce me to the dynamic and leveraged world of futures & options. 

“The secret is to first learn, then invest, and then go on learning” - Merril Lynch 

I started my trading journey with modest investments, focusing on short-term transactions. The early years were a learning curve, heavily reliant on phone-based trading with the guidance of a knowledgeable broker who also served as a mentor. The thrill of realising profits daily was exhilarating, though the experience of losses was equally poignant. This phase was instrumental in shaping my understanding of the financial markets and honing my trading skills.

While every trader goes through an emotional rollercoaster, a successful trader knows that it’s never a good idea to let your emotions influence your investment decisions. Not letting your emotions affect your trading decisions is the real meaning of trading psychology! Disciplined trading coupled with certain psychological traits like profit taking, risk management, trailing stop losses/ stop profits, loss aversion and humility are very important attitudes while working in the Capital markets.

One slowly develops the emotional mindset for trading. Within a few years, I was yearning for more capital to be deployed. My husband saw my passion for investing and gave me a loan of 45 lakhs. I spent a lot of time selecting good stocks and good entry levels for longer-term investments. I finally had a bigger portfolio. With time, luck and success I was able to earn profits on the loan from my husband. I acquired a couple of cars and an investment property. My non-traditional background in quantitative and financial fields did not deter me. Instead, it fuelled me to develop an approach that yielded very good returns. One needs to learn a blend of disciplined investor emotions, market acumen built from fundamental research and technical analysis skills.

In 2018, my son, a former investment banker and institutional investor based in London fully joined our family office. Our investments span Indian equity markets, commodities, and US equities. Despite the challenges posed by market volatility and economic fluctuations, our returns have consistently outpaced many mutual and closely managed funds. We have navigated black swan events, the 2008 financial crash, corporate scandals, political upheavals, trade wars, and the recent Covid-19 pandemic. These experiences have not only bolstered my confidence but also cemented my trading endeavour’s longevity. In 2020 my husband moved on from an MNC job to also join the family business.

My cautious yet nimble approach, coupled with a substantial risk appetite, has proven crucial. Effective money management and risk and trade management are the cornerstones of success in trading and investing. This journey has not been just about financial success but also about resilience and strategic foresight in a dynamic finance world.

With over two decades in finance, I aim to share these insights, embodying the belief that "People are as extraordinary as they believe themselves to be." This philosophy has been central to my financial career, especially in advocating for women's financial empowerment. A woman once told me if you follow what you love you will never go astray.

My latest creative chapter began with a love for poetry at age 10, evolving into storytelling. Inspired by nature and travels in the Himalayas and India's tiger reserves, these experiences culminate in my recent book, 'Coco: A Cat’s Magical Journey.' Here, young readers dive into a fantasy world where a brave cat, a loyal grasshopper, an adorable ant, and a wily raccoon share adventures of friendship and camaraderie.

I resonate with the words of Helen Keller: 'The only way to do great work is to love what you do.' This quote perfectly encapsulates my life's work, where passion and perseverance are not just traits, but the essence of my every endeavour.

Views expressed by the author are their own