Opportunity in Chaos

Monday morning I woke up at 5:30 AM.

And before checking my phone or scrolling the headlines (which I already knew wouldn’t be pretty), I paused.

I reflected on all the bubbles and breakdowns I’ve lived through — and more importantly, navigated.

And if there’s one lesson I’ve learned over two decades of investing, it’s this:

💡 Markets have historically recovered from even the worst meltdowns.

In my experience, contrarian investing with a long time horizon has often proven rewarding — especially for those who stay calm and committed to their strategy.

📉 A Crash Course in Market Cycles

2001 – Dot Com Collapse + 9/11

I graduated from Harvard Business School just as the tech bubble burst and joined Goldman Sachs Tech Investment Banking.

Then 9/11 happened. Deals froze. IPOs dried up.

I quickly pivoted to BofA Merrill Lynch in NYC and shifted my focus from tech to consumer and restaurants — because people were still eating. 

💡 Lesson: Stay flexible.

2008 – The Financial Crisis

At the time, I was married, had a daughter, and was working as an analyst at a hedge fund. My boss moved into cash and treasuries throughout 2008 — a cautious strategy

— but the fund closed in November 2008, missing the 2009 recovery. 

💡 Lesson: Holding cash can offer stability, but staying alert for recovery opportunities matters too.

2014 – The Oil Crash

Living in Houston, we saw oil prices crater from oversupply.

Gasoline got cheaper, and consumers had more money to spend.

I wanted to buy consumer stocks — and they rallied

— but because my boss didn’t know the sector well, we missed it. 

💡 Lesson: Be nimble, or risk missing the obvious plays.

2025 – Tariffs, Tensions & Tumbling Markets

Now we’re facing another crisis — but this one is largely self-inflicted.

Tariff headlines, deglobalization, and policy uncertainty have created fear and market volatility.

So, what now?

Focus on what you can control. 

How much you make, how much you spend, how much you save/invest. 

Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and behavioral scientist, emphasizes that true happiness comes from focusing on what you have and finding satisfaction in that, rather than constantly striving for more, as satisfaction is defined as the struggle towards achievement and wanting less.

Design a simple life that feels right from the inside, even if it looks boring from the outside. 

Build a life that is sustainable that serves you instead of consuming you.

I focused on educating folks about what happened this week with my YouTube video

(check it out!).

If you’re unsure how to navigate this moment — whether you’re sitting on too much cash, uncertain what to trim, or wondering when to reallocate — let’s talk. 

Please reach out if you have questions or want to explore strategy.

Thanks for reading!

Tiffany Kent

Your Friendly Wealth Engagement Guide

Disclosures: Past performance is not indicative of future results. This material is not financial advice or an offer to sell any product. The information contained herein should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed.

This commentary offers generalized research, not personalized investment advice. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of our investment services or performance. Nothing in this commentary should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future investment returns. All investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with an investment & tax professional before implementing any investment strategy. Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.