The Questions That Changed Everything

Arigato, dear investor,

Recently, I was offered a unique opportunity to invest in the private equity of a tech company. Exciting, right? But instead of jumping in immediately, I turned on my investing mindset and started asking questions.

And not just surface-level ones—I surprised even myself with the quality of questions I asked:

• What’s your business strategy?

• What’s your percentage of clients inside big corporations versus SMEs?

• What’s your churn rate?

Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have even thought to ask these things. Back then, I might have jumped right in, feeling clueless but eager. I didn’t know what investing truly meant.

But here’s the truth: the investor I am today didn’t happen overnight. Over the last decade, I’ve put in the time to build my competence. I read countless annual reports, studied financial analyses from sources like Motley Fool, and learned how to truly understand business models.

It wasn’t always easy—it took years of effort and dedication. But this hard work gave me the confidence to make smarter, more informed decisions.

That said, as much as I enjoy analyzing businesses, I’ve found that ETF investing combined with options gives me the best of both worlds:

• Stability with ETFs to grow wealth safely.

• Boosted returns with options for consistent cash flow.

Of course, understanding individual business models has its rewards. For those willing to put in the time and effort, the results can be incredible. If you're keen to sharpen your skills for picking individual stocks, I recommend checking out Motley Fool, which offers free and premium investment guidance to millions of individual investors worldwide.

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Here’s my takeaway: Investing isn’t about jumping in—it’s about asking the right questions, building your knowledge, and growing your confidence over time. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your skills, every step you take gets you closer to your financial goals.

Arigato for being part of this journey with me,

Chloe
Arigato Investor