Start Small, Think Big: What I’ve Learned About Investing

Start Small, Think Big: What I’ve Learned About Investing
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Published on: Jul 2, 2025 12:38:12 PM

Starting your investment journey can feel overwhelming, especially when you didn’t grow up with financial know-how. Mesuli Maseko  knows that feeling well. With no background in wealth-building or the stock market, he took the leap anyway. In this piece, he shares how he got started, the lessons he’s picked up along the way, and why he believes investing is possible for anyone, regardless of where they begin.

I didn’t grow up around investors or conversations about building wealth. Like many others, I wasn’t taught how the stock market works, but I was hungry to learn. I wanted to take control of my future and quickly realised that saving alone wouldn’t be enough. That’s when I started looking into investing.

I chose EasyEquities because it allowed me to start with whatever I had, even just R50. That changed everything. Suddenly, investing wasn’t this intimidating thing for rich people, and it was something I could do, right from my phone.

One of my first moves was buying shares in Walt Disney on the USD market, brands I’d grown up with and believed in. I also tried 88 Energy on the AUD market. It didn’t perform the way I’d hoped, but it taught me that not every move is a win; every move is a lesson.

My Tax-Free Savings Account became a hub for long-term value. I diversified into:

Each of these represented a piece of my belief in smart, patient growth.

But where I really found my passion was in property investing through EasyProperties. I’ve now backed over 40 developments, from The Dawn in Pretoria and BlackBrick Sandton 2, to coastal gems like Ballito Hills and BlackBrick Cape Town. These aren’t just names in a portfolio, they’re places I’ve visited and experienced. Standing at The Dawn or breathing in the sea air at Ballito Hills reminded me that this journey is real, tangible, and mine.

Every cent in that portfolio tells a story of bold steps, long nights reading, small wins, painful losses, and a hunger to grow.

And here’s my first lesson: just start. Don’t wait until you have “enough.” Start with what you have and grow from there. Your first investment doesn’t have to be perfect, mine wasn’t. I’ve made plenty of mistakes:
  • I bought shares without proper research.
  • I chased trends.
  • I panicked when the market dipped and celebrated when it rose.

But those experiences became my best teachers.

Lesson two: Investing is a journey, not a quick win. When I stopped chasing overnight success, everything changed. I began focusing on companies I understood, reading financial news, and thinking long-term. EasyEquities helped by making the basics simple and the platform accessible, but it was up to me to keep learning.

Another thing I’ve learned: don’t compare your journey to others. Some will show off huge gains, but real progress is about staying consistent and focused on your goals. Whether I’m investing in local brands or global companies, each step reflects my vision for the future I want to build.

I’ve also learned emotional discipline. The market goes up and down; that’s normal. I’ve taught myself to stay calm, stay invested, and trust the process. And in doing so, I’ve watched my confidence grow, not just financially, but personally.

I’m not a millionaire. I didn’t come from wealth. I started small. I stayed consistent. I stayed curious. Thanks to EasyEquities, I now have a platform where I can build real wealth, brick by brick, share by share.

To anyone wondering if they can do this, yes, you can. You don’t need a finance degree or thousands of rands. All you need is curiosity, patience, and a platform that puts investing in your hands.

This journey is far from over, but this is just the beginning.

I’m not just investing in shares. I’m investing in my mindset, my future, and in the belief that people like me deserve to build wealth too.

Start where you are. Learn. Grow. Stay consistent. That’s how you win.

Because investing isn’t just about money, it’s about mindset. It’s about backing yourself, building habits that support your goals, and knowing that every small step counts. The earlier you start, the more time your money and your confidence have to grow.

 

 

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Any opinions, news, research, reports, analyses, prices, or other information contained within this research is provided by an external contributor as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice for the purposes of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002. First World Trader (Pty) Ltd t/a EasyEquities (“EasyEquities”) does not warrant the correctness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness of any information (i) contained within this research and (ii) received from third party data providers. You must rely solely upon your own judgment in all aspects of your investment and/or trading decisions and all investments and/or trades are made at your own risk. EasyEquities (including any of their employees) will not accept any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, including without limitation, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on the market commentary. The content contained within is subject to change at any time without notice

Any opinions, news, research, reports, analyses, prices, or other information contained within this research is provided by an employee of EasyEquities an authorised FSP (FSP no 22588) as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice for the purposes of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002. First World Trader (Pty) Ltd t/a EasyEquities (“EasyEquities”) does not warrant the correctness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness of any information (i) contained within this research and (ii) received from third party data providers. You must rely solely upon your own judgment in all aspects of your investment and/or trading decisions and all investments and/or trades are made at your own risk. EasyEquities (including any of their employees) will not accept any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, including without limitation, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on the market commentary. The content contained within is subject to change at any time without notice.

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