Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in finance but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matthew Stephenson, CEO of Paragon Elite Trading, located in South Salt Lake, UT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a technology-based, higher-learning school where even the most novice or inexperienced investor can learn to trade like a professional. Our coaches represent some of the best minds and teaching approaches in the business. We train hundreds of traders who are passionate about the markets, hard-working, and teachable in how to turn that passion into a career that ultimately leads to their financial independence, autonomy, and freedom.
Tell us about yourself
I am a professional Forex, Futures, Cryptos, and Options Trader. With Paragon, I, along with many other traders, also coach other traders to become professionals in this space. As a trader for over 20 years, I've come to know the freedom that can be achieved through trading as a career, but it would not have been possible yet if I had not been fortunate enough to work with a Prop Trading Firm and an amazing Coach. This is the main reason I have felt the need to coach others as well: the need to earn what I was fortunate enough to receive. I quickly rose through the ranks and became a Coach as well, helping hundreds of others to learn all about Options and Forex Trading and how to successfully turn it into a career through proper strategy development, trade execution, and risk management.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Paragon Elite Trading has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 2020. The firm was just featured in the Top Ten Emerging Investment Firms in 2023 by Financial Services Review magazine.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Founding this firm has taught me a lot about what it takes to succeed and grow. The ability to delegate is vital. Many entrepreneurs have trouble going from wearing many different hats to wearing the most appropriate hats for them. This has certainly been my experience as well. Taking ownership of everything negative that happens under my watch and resolving the problems quickly and effectively is also challenging, as it is often the case that those working for the business (agents of the business) do not share an owner's passion for the business. It becomes that much more important to ensure that key people are incentivized and compensated properly - both in salary and equity.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be sure to be amply capitalized. Running out of capital to grow is a business killer. Have a service that no one does better than you do. Look for ways to undercut the competition by using technology and streamlining processes. The brick-and-mortar business model is becoming more and more obsolete and unnecessary.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://paragonelitetrading.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliteTraderMatt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trademaker_options_fx/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/paragon_elite
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paragon-elite-trading-inc/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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