<prompt> Human: Posted something similar to rfinancialindependence, but I love this community just as much so Im posting it here too. ___Long time lurker, first-time poster. Im a big fan of the sub, and I think you guys can possibly provide me with some much-needed assistance in a confusing time but a fortunate one, too. Im 25 years old. 3 years out of college. I worked a corporate job in consulting for a couple years with the plan to go to business school to study entrepreneurship. I had a change of heart at the last minute and decided to move cross country with a number of friends. I really wanted a change and had become VERY burnt out in the corporate world. My idea was that I could use the money I had accumulated through my salary and some side investing to start a business of my own. Ive always had entrepreneurial tendencies, and I figured I had enough startup capital to make something happen. Then, through a series of bizarre consequences, an unbelievable investment opportunity essentially fell into my lap. The week I moved to my new city, a good friend of mine casually mentioned that the startup he was working for was going to be seeking investment. Just for fun, I asked him to send the deck to me. When I looked at it, I was kind of blown away by the companys potential and the valuation they were seeking. I met the founders and discussed some terms, and a couple weeks later I wrote a check. I own roughly 9 of all outstanding shares at the moment. It was a massive, massive risk for me because it handicapped me because I had planned to actively invest the money I gave to them, and I didnt really have a backup plan. Essentially, the company has taken off over the 16 months. My stake according to agreed upon valuation set for next investment round next month has increased more than tenfold, though that obviously isnt liquid and wont be for some time. The best part about it all: this is a consumer packaged goods company that is already profitable and will start paying dividend checks in the next 3 months. Theyve landed contracts with multiple major retailers, e-commerce revenues have exploded, and things appear to be getting better by the week. The brand is really building steam, and has huge plans to rapidly expand within its industry. Its a completely unique company that fills a need, has no major direct competitors, and builds a loyal fanbase like few Ive seen before. It has the potential to be really, really huge. So, its looking like, according to their recent projections for 2016, I will be receiving a dividend check somewhere between 250k and 350k in September. I looked at the updated capitalization table that was sent out today, and my share in the company is currently valued at just under 3 million. Ive been scrambling over the past 16 months, because as I mentioned I didnt really have a backup plan, and then I lost my startup capital when I saw this opportunity. I do some freelance work, but just enough to pay the bills. It worked for the time being as I was trying to figure out my next move and enjoying my new life in a new city. But now I find myself on the verge of substantial wealth. On dividends alone, I should make millions of dollars in the next 2-3 years. They want an acquisition in somewhere around 5 years, and Ill get an 8-figure check when that happens. I have read the sidebar, but I figured this was a little different because this is ALMOST like an inheritance, but the money is going to keep coming and need to be managed, invested, etc. Should I just meet with a specialist? Im kind of awestruck by all of this, in a number of ways. It has all happened so quickly that I feel, in some ways, completely blindsided by my good fortune. Im going to get to live the exact life that I always wanted, but I managed to really circumvent the process; to entirely ignore fact that financial independence takes time and discipline. I got extremely lucky, and Im thankful every day. I almost felt guilty posting here because so many of you work so hard to get to the point that I have reached, and I achieved this in such a ridiculous way that I fear I dont quite belong. But I love this sub, and I think you guys could could help me, so I swallowed my pride and posted anyway.Sorry about the ramble, but I wanted to include as much relevant info as possible. My question is this: WHAT THE HELL DO I DO TO PREPARE?Im pretty financially savvy, but I still do NOT feel prepared for this all to have happened so quickly. How can I get caught up to where I need to feel prepared to invest all of this money? Books to read, online resources, personal adecdotes, anything at all. Ill take anything I can get at this point, and Ive seen such excellent advice given on this sub, time after time. Id really appreciate some of the same. Thanks for reading, everyone. Sorry again about the length. Assistant: Your investment has increased ten fold and is now worth 3 million? So you were 24 16 months ago and were able to invest 300,000 in a friends start up? If thats true sounds like you already know how to handle large amounts of money.Human: Yeah, in a way I suppose youre right. But theres a big difference between a few hundred thousand and a few million.  <response>: A few hundred thousand...wish that was my problem...Best of luck with the investment tho, hope this all continues to pan out well for you. Pretty neat stuff. 