The title of this post should look out of place on a website that's about global macro charts and analysis. But I thought it would be worth taking the time to explain the story behind this website and my recent move from big city big company to small town startup.
First of all, to get you on the same page, I used to work in investment strategy and asset allocation at a major regional fund manager in a team that managed a macro hedge fund. This was a very interesting job which I put a lot of myself into and got a lot out of in terms of personal/professional development and satisfaction. I love what I do - global macro, top down driven multi asset investment strategy. But there comes a point when you have to look at your priorities in life, for us it was a case of where do we really want to live? and what do I really want to do? There were some push factors, but it's mostly about pull factors.
Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows I love the odd inspirational quote, and for me it's really about this: "We all have two choices: We can make a living or we can design a life." - Jim Rohn
Queenstown is a place I have always enjoyed and found inspiring (I grew up about 2 hours drive from here and was lucky to have been taken on numerous holidays here as a kid), last year we bought a small cabin, so it's clear that on some level we wanted to live here longer term. The push factors were that while Sydney is a great place, it's a very expensive place and while it has all the benefits of a big city it also has all of the disadvantages of a big city and those factors were important.
As to why I have decided to start my own thing, it's about a couple of reasons: the main one is that I love what I do, but I don't love working for a large company. I would rather build my own business, and I am fortunate to be in a position where I have the possibility to do this and I am super excited about the journey I've embarked on - it will have its own frustrations and will be a long journey, but I believe it is the right one for me. From a satisfaction perspective it's a no-brainer, lifestyle and work/life balance is important especially when you have young children (10 months and 3 years), and longer term if I'm doing it right and delivering value it should work out well financially too.
It's also going to be great for you! I'll be taking the same high standard professional investment strategy research and insights I produced as a professional fund manager and delivering it to you on this blog. I'll also be introducing a paid service for institutional and professional investors later after I have all my systems online, so watch this space...
I hope you enjoy the website and thanks for your support.
Best regards,
Callum Thomas