Career Transitions

I Nandita Chakraverti, imbibed the value of financial empowerment early in life, recognizing its significance in shaping a woman’s identity. Over the past two decades, I’ve built my family’s investment business from the ground up, navigating through solitude, market volatility, and humbling experiences. Initially drawn to academics, I pursued an MA in Political Science at Delhi University with aspirations to continue my education in the United States. However, parental advice redirected me towards a Bachelor of Education and a career in teaching.

For the next 8-10 years, I dedicated myself to teaching English and Political Science to Grade 9 and 10 students across Delhi and Mumbai. While fulfilling, my interest in technological advancements in education, specifically computer languages, led me to a course with Tata Infotech in 1998, marking my entry into the world of technology.

Simultaneously, the inception of The National Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1994, with its technology-driven trading platforms, captivated my interest. Enrolling in an NSE course, my focus shifted to learning charting, technical analysis, and derivatives trading. Armed with insights from various authors like Steven B Achellis, Sheldon Natenburg, Ashwini Gujral, and Tom Dorsey, I delved into the complexities of the financial markets.

Embarking on my trading journey with modest investments, I embraced short-term transactions, learning the ropes through phone-based trading with the guidance of a knowledgeable broker. This phase was both thrilling and challenging, shaping my understanding of financial markets and refining my trading skills.

Over time, my passion for investing led my husband to provide a loan of 45 lakhs, enabling me to expand my portfolio. Through disciplined trading, emotional resilience, and strategic foresight, I earned profits, acquiring assets such as cars and investment properties.

In 2018, my son, a former investment banker, joined our family office in London, enhancing our investment portfolio spanning Indian equity markets, commodities, and US equities. Despite navigating through market challenges, including the 2008 financial crash and the recent Covid-19 pandemic, our returns consistently outpaced many funds.

This journey has been a testament to the significance of effective money management, risk assessment, and adaptability in trading and investing. As I share these insights, my aim is to advocate for women’s financial empowerment, reflecting my belief that individuals are as extraordinary as they perceive themselves to be. In my latest venture, inspired by nature and travels, I authored ‘Coco: A Cat’s Magical Journey,’ a book aimed at young readers, blending my love for storytelling with experiences from the Himalayas and India’s tiger reserves. In every endeavor, the core philosophy remains: “People are as extraordinary as they believe themselves to be.”

_{Repurposed article originally published in ShethePeople}