The document describes a time when the author took a great risk by quitting their job at Commerzbank in 2009 to start their own trading company with a business partner. They invested all of their savings and secured a 1.2 million USD letter of credit to facilitate their first transaction, importing 13,000 metric tons of cement from China to Benin. Although the first transaction was unprofitable due to inexperience, they were able to successfully complete three more transactions. The author views this entrepreneurial experience as a valuable learning opportunity.