Stories about Making Money (3)

The title is about making money not investment

The One Who Took the Leap

This is the final instalment of a real-life story shared with me by a colleague. It's about his ex-colleague, a humble civil servant earning a modest salary back in the early 2000s. Though his income wasn’t high, he had a strong interest in investing and was fortunate to have a small group of like-minded friends. They would regularly exchange tips, strategies, and market insights.

During the SARS outbreak, he and his friends saw a unique opportunity in the market. They believed that the widespread fear and uncertainty would eventually pass—and when it did, a rebound would follow. Encouraged by these conversations, he was eager to invest. But his wife, concerned about their young family and financial stability, urged caution. He ultimately decided not to proceed.

When the crisis ended and the markets recovered, his friends walked away with handsome profits. While he had no ill will, a twinge of regret lingered. He had stayed true to his convictions and prioritized security—but the opportunity lost left a quiet mark.

Years later, in 2020, the world was gripped once again by a global crisis—this time, COVID-19. Markets crashed, fear spiked, and uncertainty returned. But this time, he recognized a familiar pattern. It was déjà vu.

Only now, he was determined not to let the chance slip by.

After much thought and discussion, he persuaded his wife to take a leap of faith with him. What they did next was bold—some might say unimaginable. They sold their home, cashing out between $450,000 to $500,000. They moved into a rental unit and set aside some of the money for emergencies and daily living.

He split the rest into several tranches and started investing methodically. He chose companies that were well-positioned to thrive in a pandemic-stricken world—medical suppliers, pharmaceutical firms, biotech innovators, and logistics providers. Not every pick was a winner, but many turned out to be spectacular multi-baggers. Some stocks multiplied by 9 to 13 times their original value.

Over the next 18 to 24 months, as the world slowly emerged from the pandemic, his portfolio grew exponentially. By the time the dust had settled and markets stabilized, his $500,000 investment had ballooned into a staggering $4 to $4.5 million.

He cashed out.

With the proceeds, he bought three properties—one for his family to live in and two as rental investments, which he intends to leave to his children. But perhaps the most remarkable transformation wasn’t just financial. Colleagues began noticing a new lightness in him. He was more cheerful, more relaxed. He no longer felt shackled by the daily grind, having transitioned to a part-time work arrangement. He now had more time—for family, friends, and even unhurried kopi sessions.

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The Pattern Behind the Stories

If you've followed these real-life stories, a pattern may have emerged: the greatest gains often come when fear dominates the market, when most people hesitate, and when the future feels most uncertain. The courage to act—carefully, but boldly—during these times often makes all the difference.

Focusing on companies with currency relevance, especially those that thrived amid the crisis.

Of all the five stories I shared, how he and the others are doing today? I can't say for sure now. But what I do know is this: both of my friends—the ones whose stories I've shared—have not lost a single penny in the market. And perhaps, more importantly, they've gained something far more valuable: peace of mind, and the freedom to live on their own terms.