When Seyi was a child, there was an old bicycle in the compound where she lived at the barracks. It was always propped against the fence like a trophy, its paint chipped and metals rusted but its allure intact. To seven-year-old Seyi, it might as well have been made of gold. The six siblings in the opposite flat shared ownership of it but their friends formed an endless queue of eager riders.
Fortunately, Seyi was friends with the youngest of the children. Unfortunately, that meant her promised turn to ride always seemed to slip further down the list.
“After Bayo, it’s my turn!” Seyi called out, bouncing on her toes beside her friend Oma, the youngest of the bicycle owners.
“No way,” Bayo’s older sister cut in. “Eki hasn’t gone yet. Then it’s Itoro’s turn.”
Seyi’s heart sank as she watched name after name stack up before hers. Being the youngest it was always like this. The sun tracked across the sky, and still she waited, her shadow growing longer on the dusty ground. Then the cock crew and Seyi knew what the next cry would be.
“Seyi! Food is ready!”
Her mother’s voice shattered her hopes like glass. Again.
It was the same day after day until one afternoon Iya Sikira—the neighborhood’s grandmother of terror—noticed the stagnant queue for the bike.
“Agbaya” She yelled across the compound. “Shouldn’t the older give in to the younger? Let her ride! Now!”
The children froze, then grudgingly allowed Seyi atop the bicycle.
“Five minutes,” one of the older boys announced with a frown. “To the end of the street and back.”
But there was one problem: Seyi didn’t know how to ride. Her hands trembled on the handlebars as she wobbled unsteadily. A snicker rippled through the watching children.
“She doesn’t even know how to ride!”
“She’s just wasting everybody’s time.”
“My turn next!”
It became clear to Seyi that she may never experience the joy of riding a bicycle. She had only been on a bouncing castle 3 times before she was declared too old for it and shamed for wanting to be on one. The same thing had happened with the swing and very soon she would be too old to play on a bicycle.
When she went home for dinner that evening her mother noticed her gloomy face and after much coaxing Seyi confessed the cause of her gloom. Her mother laughed loudly “Seyi,” she said “Nobody ever outgrows riding a bicycle. Whether they’re three or ninety-three you can ride a bicycle without shame.”
At 46 equipped with her shiny new bike, helmet and knee pads Seyi faced the open space of her own compound as she finally learned to ride a bike. Cheered on by her tenants she understood her mothers laughter. It wasn’t too late, just like her mother had said.
Cycling is a lot like investing.
They are both skills that require balance, patience, and a forward looking perspective. When you first learn to ride a bike, you’re wobbly and uncertain – just like when you first start investing, you might feel unsteady and unsure about your decisions. Momentum is crucial for both. On a bike, it’s actually easier to maintain balance when you’re moving forward at a steady pace than when you’re moving very slowly or standing still. Similarly, consistent, steady investing over time (like regular contributions to a retirement account) tends to be more successful than trying to time the market perfectly or making erratic investments. Most importantly, both require you to look ahead rather than right in front of you.
And just as you never really forget how to ride a bike once you’ve learned, the fundamental principles of sound investing, once understood, stay with you for life. The key is to keep pedaling, stay balanced, and trust in the process. The similarities go on and on but here are five major parallels between cycling and investing to better illustrate this point:
1. Both Young and Old Can Ride a Bicycle
Age doesn’t determine your ability to ride a bike, nor does it dictate your ability to invest. Whether you’re 18 with your first paycheck or 58 planning your retirement, you can start investing. The important thing is to begin. The longer you wait, the more opportunities you miss to grow your wealth and build financial independence.
2. You Can Learn at Any Stage
When Seyi finally decided to learn how to ride a bike as an adult, it felt daunting—but she succeeded. The same holds for investing. If terms like “compound interest” or “mutual funds” sound foreign now, they won’t always. You can always educate yourself, seek advice, and take small steps toward understanding investment strategies. It’s never too late or too early to start investing. The only right time is now.
3. Both Require Balance and Consistency
Riding a bike is all about balance—steady hands, focused vision, and the courage to keep moving forward. Similarly, investing requires balance. Diversifying your portfolio, managing risk, and staying consistent with your contributions are key. Even when the journey feels uncertain, consistent effort pays off over time.
4. Mastery Brings Flexibility and Control
Once you’ve mastered cycling, you can explore new terrains, try tricks, or cycle farther. Similarly, as you grow more confident in investing, you can grow your risk tolerance, diversify your portfolio with stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. You’ll gain the flexibility to set long-term goals, adapt to changing circumstances, and invest with purpose.
5. Safety First: Protecting Your Experience
When learning to cycle, wearing safety gear like helmets and knee pads is essential. Even professional cyclists don’t neglect these measures because they ensure a safe and positive experience, no matter the terrain.
Investing is no different. A solid safety net is crucial when you’re just starting out and even when you’ve become an experienced investor. Having a safety net means protecting yourself from unnecessary risks while still working toward your financial goals.
At Bravewood, we serve as your safety net, offering flexible, secure investment products that give you peace of mind. Whether you’re new to investing or a seasoned expert, our tools and support help safeguard your financial journey, ensuring it stays positive and rewarding.
Your Investment Journey Starts Now
Just as Seyi eventually embraced cycling, you too can embrace investing—no matter your age or stage in life. The important thing is to start where you are. Begin with what you can, whether it’s a small sum from your paycheck or exploring an easy-to-understand investment product.
At Bravewood, we believe in empowering you to take charge of your financial future at your own pace. Our investment solutions are designed to grow with you, helping you achieve your goals—whether you’re just learning to balance or ready to explore new terrains.
Because just like riding a bike, investing is a skill you can master, and there’s no better time to start than today.
Bravewood provides Nigerian professionals with low-risk, high-return investment products, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
