For everyday traders diving into the world of stocks for the first time, the financial markets can feel extremely complex and impossible to successfully navigate, if not outright impossible. Between confusing terminology, volatile price fluctuations, and regulations that favor institutional investors, the odds often seem overwhelming for retail traders just starting out.
input Zak Westphal and stocks to trade – A trade industry disruptor with a mission to change the game for independent traders by leveling the playing field.
as CEO, Zack experienced these terrifying market barriers firsthand in his early days of trading. Determined to change the status quo, he set out to build a platform that would give retail investors access to the same elite tools and real-time market data that hedge funds rely on. The types of analysis and screening techniques that once cost tens of thousands of dollars per year may now be within the reach of every trader.
In this interview, we spoke to Zach to learn more about his journey in the world of fintech.
What inspired you to build StocksToTrade and how does the platform address the unique needs of retail traders?
I started out as a regular old retail trader trying to figure things out. However, I quickly realized that small retail investors were at a huge disadvantage compared to the big Wall Street investors. We were stuck with basic tools, and they had really good data feeds, advanced analytics, and complex algorithms that gave them an edge.
I knew there had to be a way to level the playing field for us little players. And that ultimately inspired me to create StocksToTrade specifically to address the barriers that hold back retail traders.
We've built a user-friendly trading platform packed with features tailored to individuals, not institutions. Screening, graphing, news aggregation, and more are made simple enough for anyone to understand with some guidance. Now, individual traders can leverage institutional-level power on their own terms.
My goal is to give motivated individual traders the edge to tackle the market with confidence. Not just fancy tools, but the ability to utilize those tools effectively over time to get real results.
Education seems to be a central focus at StocksToTrade. Why do you think trader education is so important and how do you approach creating resources that empower users?
Yes, it is. Even the most powerful analysis will be wasted if you don't really understand risk management, chart patterns, indicators, etc. That's why knowledge building is the cornerstone of the StocksToTrade experience.
Our approach is to ensure that traders receive practical and applicable training wherever they are on their journey. We create educational trading content for complete beginners who just want to understand the basics, as well as advanced traders who want to master options strategies. Our team of experienced traders distills decades of experience into practical lessons that you can immediately apply.
We also host a number of live webinars, workshops, and QA sessions that provide hands-on experience. We found that people learn more when they can engage with mentors in real time. It's important for us to make sure that everything we teach clearly aligns with real-world usage. We don't just throw theories at people, we show them exactly how to translate concepts into profitable, calculated trades.
StocksToTrade is known for its cutting-edge tools, especially in the field of algorithmic trading. Can you explain how your platform democratizes access to these advanced technologies for retail traders?
Algorithms have completely changed the game of trading, but for a long time, retail investors were unable to take advantage of those tools and were locked away by institutions. At StocksToTrade, we saw this as a huge opportunity to swing these gates wide open and make advanced technology more accessible.
We've built an algorithmic trading tool with all the power of institutional-grade technology, but we've designed it to be simple enough for everyday traders to customize it to fit their strategy. The ability to analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns, and automatically execute accurate orders can now be performed without any programming experience.
I'm particularly excited about the Oracle algorithm. It uses AI to predict price movements with great accuracy, allowing traders to better understand when to enter and exit trades. Users can tailor Oracle to their personal risk tolerance and backtest it first. It's like having organizational-level insight in your toolbelt.
As the fintech landscape evolves and algorithmic trading becomes more prevalent, how can StocksToTrade stay at the forefront of innovation while prioritizing user experience and education?
Staying at the cutting edge of rapidly changing fintech requires balancing innovation with user needs.
With this in mind, we invest heavily in research and development to continually improve our algorithms and explore the next big thing. But new technology for technology's sake is not our motto. Our tools must prioritize simplicity and reliability to solve traders' problems.
That's why we focus on user feedback during development. Improving your UX gives more people access to powerful features. Comprehensive education also helps traders extract maximum value as their products progress. By staying on top of user pain points this way, we can continue to pioneer innovations that empower rather than overwhelm people.
Building a strong community seems to be a core part of StocksToTrade's approach to empowering traders. How do you foster a sense of collaboration and knowledge sharing among your users?
Community is the driving force behind everything we do. Connecting traders fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, accelerating growth. Our forums and chat rooms provide a place for members to interact with each other. Traders connect, share ideas, and learn from successes and failures under the guidance of experienced moderators.
Above all, our community celebrates its members. We share success stories and insights that empower these traders and inspire others to reach greater heights. I have always wanted to foster a culture of positivity and growth, one where traders feel supported to push boundaries together.
Looking to the future, what excites you most about the potential for technology and education to continue to transform the trading landscape, and how do you think StocksToTrade will contribute to this evolution?
There is no choice, and the future of trading promises to be revolutionized by advances in technology and education. Advances in AI, machine learning, and blockchain will enable unprecedented and unimaginable innovations in market analysis, trade execution, and risk management.
We aim to be at the forefront, integrating cutting-edge technology to provide traders with superior tools and insights. But even more interesting is the potential for education to form the next generation of empowered and diverse traders. As knowledge becomes more accessible, more people, regardless of their background, will be able to succeed in the marketplace.