Stories from the Journey – #1

The Other Kind of Compounding

Back in 2016, I met a young man named Rahul. He was referred to me by an existing client. Rahul was quiet, thoughtful, and deeply risk averse. Later, I came to know why - his father had lost a significant amount in the stock market during the late 90s. That memory had stayed with him. It shaped how he saw risk, money, and markets.

When we first spoke, I didn’t show charts or talk about big returns. I simply said, “Let’s start small. If it doesn’t feel right, you can always stop.”

That one sentence helped us begin.

Rahul stayed the course. Slowly, steadily. He increased his SIPs over time, with confidence growing one step at a time. During the pandemic, after nearly four years, his portfolio dipped below par!

But he didn’t panic. He called. We spoke. He chose to continue.

Today, compounding has quietly started showing its effect. But what’s grown more is his confidence.

He now refers his friends to me. Sometimes he calls just to chat. He trusts me like an elder brother.

What I’ve realized over the years is this - There’s another kind of compounding that numbers don’t capture.

Not just wealth, but trust. Not just returns, but resilience. Not just numbers, but relationships.

That, to me, is the real satisfaction in this work.

Your Sarathi,

Jayesh