Many traders have been to a stock seminar, trade show, or investment presentation (after all, we host one here at Simpler). But have you ever seen a 12-year old in the audience? More than likely, not.

But almost 20 years ago, TG Watkins was that 12-year old, with his dad, in the audience of a two-day stock trading seminar learning how to use the software that was being presented. Even though the presentation was mostly over his head, he knew that this type of knowledge would be important someday. As a result, he was hooked.

Then came the daily routine of sitting down with his dad after work, looking at the stock market, and working together to manage his positions. They continued to go to local stock seminars to acquire advice and exposure from seasoned traders.

After graduating with his engineering degree, he set off to earn his Series 6 and 63 licenses and then started his career as a financial advisor with New York Life. It was here that his knowledge about the financial industry really exploded. New York Life had an excellent and rigorous training program to make sure their advisors knew the products and market inside and out. His exposure to the countless types of people and businesses that he worked with during his time there gave him a wide view of the world we live in. This exposure and worldview would later turn into one of his strengths and a huge benefit to his trading game.