I was just 21 when I started out in the world of entrepreneurship. No fancy funding, no big investors, no backup plan. Just me, and the support of my family, who were counting on me. Every rupee mattered. Every decision carried weight.

Over time, I built something I’m proud of: a business that not only survived, but thrived. In the early years, it gave me returns as high as 18%. It gave me things I couldn’t have imagined when I was younger: a home in Malabar Hill, a strong sense of confidence, and the satisfaction of knowing I’d done it all on my own.

Back then, my business wasn’t just my livelihood: it was my identity. I never thought about diversifying. Why would I? My own hard work was giving me better returns than any mutual fund could.

When Life Made Me Rethink

But life changes you. Marriage, fatherhood… they shift your perspective in ways you don’t expect.

My wife works in the mutual fund industry, and she would often nudge me to think beyond the business. I didn’t take this idea very seriously, to be honest.

Until one afternoon during the COVID lockdown. Over a casual cup of tea, she asked me:
“What if something happens to you? The business is just you. Will it really take care of us if you’re not around?”
These words hit me hard. Not because I was scared of death, but because I hadn’t thought about continuity. About legacy. About what would happen if I wasn’t there to keep the machine running.

That conversation changed me. It wasn’t about chasing higher returns anymore. It was about creating peace of mind.

From Business-Only to Balanced

I still love my business, and still give it my all. But now, I make sure my money is working outside of it too.

Here’s how my portfolio looks today:

• Bonds for steady low-risk returns
• Mutual funds for long-term compounding
• A Sukanya Samriddhi Account for my daughter’s future
• And a simple emergency fund, because life is unpredictable.

I’m not the kind of person who obsesses over market timing. I don’t read stock tips all day.

My rule is simple:
“If you have a surplus, just invest. Don’t overthink it. Don’t delay. Just let it grow.”

As a businessman, I don’t always find SIPs easy. Cash flows go up and down, and priorities shift. But whenever the business does well, I make it a point to put something aside. Not for today, not even for a specific goal, but just for the future in general.

Sometimes, that money might go towards my daughter’s education. Sometimes, towards my retirement. Or maybe even another dream down the line. The exact purpose may differ, but the direction is set.

What I’d Ask You

If you’re reading this, I’d ask you to think about this honestly: are you relying on just one engine to power your financial plans? Have you had that uncomfortable but necessary conversation with your family?

For me, diversification wasn’t about chasing higher returns. It was about maturity. About balance. About letting go of the need to control everything.

Smart investing, I’ve learned, isn’t only about money. It’s about the people you love, and the future you want to create for them.

From one bet to many… that’s when real wealth begins.

We hope the stories in this series help you reflect on your financial journey, and give you the confidence to chart your own course, one decision at a time.

We’d also love to hear what parts of Pinal Shah’s journey resonated with you: let us know in the comments!