By Dr. David Eifrig in Retirement Millionaire:
The greatest stock gains I've ever made I owe to the president of a pickle company.
John - as I'll call him - was a hulking man - six-foot four and at least 250 pounds. He was so big that when you shook his hand, you prayed he didn't squeeze. I met him in my Wall Street days when one of Goldman Sachs' partners introduced us on the trading floor.
Somehow we got on the subject of health. He told me he was on dialysis. His kidneys and blood cells weren't working right. Then he added with a big grin that a new drug had changed his life. (I was years away from med school then, and didn't know a kidney from a gallbladder).
John explained how his blood had returned to health, and he had rediscovered the energy lost years ago. Once again, he was walking with his wife and "regularly doing things" he did when he was 30 years younger (said with a wink).
His story was so convincing and his passion so strong that I asked him the name of the drug. He said "E-P-O." The company that made it was called Amgen. Then he turned to me and said: "Son, I know when things work and when they don't. And this stuff works. In fact, I've bought several thousands of shares, and you'd be wise to do the same."
Back at my desk, I reviewed what I could find about this unknown Amgen and put around $15,000 into the stock.
Many of you will recognize Amgen as the preeminent biotech company in the world today, having pioneered the use of bioengineering in the development of drugs. But back in 1987, its success was anything but assured. Amgen was merely one at least 20 other equally promising biotech startups.
It was a risky play. But everything I learned about it looked great: The science made sense, and I figured any drug that could save or alter a life like it had the pickle president was probably a good bet.
I made nearly 21 times my money over the next three years... a little more than $250,000.
I never saw the pickle guy again to thank him, but the experience taught me one of the greatest investment lessons of my life: When you find a risky opportunity that has the possibility of making you a lot of money, take it... but "take" it small. Throw a little bit of cash that way. Don't throw in the rent money, but if you can afford it, toss in a little play money.
I believe [in] simple, common-sense ideas for your wealth and health. Usually, my ideas won't involve much risk. But occasionally (perhaps once a year), it makes sense to take some play money and try to hit a home run.
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