Now a Ph.D. student in Finance, I started investing 2 years ago, with a purchase of a few shares of Nintendo. Although, at the time, it certainly did not feel like just 'a few' shares. In fact, I invested all of my savings in the developer of the game I had been playing for a week, Pokémon Go. It played out well, the stock rose over 50% in a month time earning me more than the Summer job I did. Now, looking back, I'm glad to have discovered the concept of portfolio diversification. Yet, while my investment process has gotten better and more academic, the basis remains the same. It is by looking out for opportunities in my direct environment, that my investing ideas arise. These ideas are then subject of financial analysis and a macro economical brainstorm. Once the idea passes all of my criteria, I invest in it. If I really like the stock, I might even write an article about it ;-).