The Fintech Revolution: An Interview With Zak Westphal on Empowering Global Investors

Technology has transformed so much of our everyday lives as consumers – from how we shop on Amazon to how we get around with Uber. But we often overlook the fintech revolution behind the scenes that disrupts finance. Exciting innovations empower a new generation of everyday investors by leveling the playing field versus Wall Street.

One of the companies at the forefront of this movement is StocksToTrade, a platform providing individual traders with powerful analytics once exclusive to institutional investors. Since 2012, StocksToTrade has been leading the charge in democratizing sophisticated tools for retail investors.

We recently spoke with StocksToTrade co-founder and CEO Zak Westphal about this fintech shakeup and his company's pivotal role in giving Main Street traders a competitive edge. Zak shared with us how those early days getting StocksToTrade off the ground shaped decisions that still guide the brand today.

What were some of the important decisions you made early on that you believe were fundamental to the success you see today?

Building a company from scratch is not easy - by any means. When I think back to those early days with StocksToTrade, a few key moves stand out that helped set us up for success.

For one, we made the strategic decision to zero in on retail traders specifically. Rather than being everything to everyone, we wanted to build a platform laser-focused on individual investors' needs. Catering the tools and features specifically for that community allowed us to tailor both the product and messaging.

We also prioritized assembling a team that was passionate about the same goal of serving retail traders. Of course, skills matter, but mindset was just as important in who we brought on board. We wanted people personally invested in our mission of leveling the playing field.

And finally, we made user feedback a cornerstone of our development approach from day one. Instead of designing features in a black box, we iterated rapidly based on real trader input. That commitment to keeping end users at the center of each design choice continues to be core to our platform enhancements today.

What are some of the biggest challenges you faced when scaling your platform, and what tactics did you use to overcome them?

Scaling any business comes with growing pains; we've certainly experienced our fair share. Early on, the biggest challenge was keeping up with demand on our platform while maintaining quality. With more users flooding in, we needed to rapidly adapt our systems and ops to keep things running smoothly.

And of course we've had to evolve with lightning-fast shifts in fintech. Being nimble and flexible has been key for us. We are never afraid to experiment with new platform features based on user feedback or market trends. Not every idea pans out, so we adopt a "fail fast" mentality, swiftly changing course if something isn't working.

Brand building is both an art and a science. Can you share with us how you built your brand?

Authenticity is crucial, but gets harder as a company scales. For us, our guiding strategies have been transparency, top-notch education, and community-building. We've focused on straight-talk about our mission - empowering retail traders through access to Wall Street-caliber analytics. We spill facts on capabilities, limitations, changes - maintaining trust by just telling it how it is.

We also pour resources into delivering stellar training because educated users become successful, loyal brand advocates. We take pride in being a knowledge hub for both new and experienced investors alike. And at the heart of it all is cultivating a member community where traders support each other's growth.

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs, regardless of the industry? Let’s say they are just starting out their journey. 

I tell aspiring entrepreneurs to start a venture you feel truly passionate about first. This journey isn't for the faint of heart. When challenges inevitably pop up - and they will - your passion fuels the resilience and creativity needed to power through. Don’t underestimate this.

Aside from this, it’s really important that you find a way to assemble a well-rounded team that shares your vision and covers your weaknesses with their strengths. Understanding you can't fulfill every role alone lets you focus on what you do best while trusting your squad with the rest.

Also, don't fear failure. Mistakes are learning opportunities; they push you to grow. The most successful founders embrace failure as feedback to inform adjustments on the road ahead.

Remember - overnight success is a myth - reaching escape velocity always demands grit and determination. There’s no two ways about it. With laser focus, an unstoppable team, and fearless resilience, get 1% better every day. Compound that progress and your breakthrough will come.

Final Word

Zak Westphal’s journey building StocksToTrade offers inspirational takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs. By zeroing in on underserved retail traders, curating a team aligned on that purpose, responsive iteration based on user input, and anchoring to the core values of education and community - he brought a bold vision to fruition.

For founders in any industry, the key is defining your niche, doing the work to understand consumer needs intimately, and building products that meaningfully address those pain points. Staying hyper-focused on delighting those users should drive every decision.