Interview with Ironbeam's Raymond Grignon💪

"We are different because we are an FCM that also works with retail traders directly, cutting out the middleman (Introducing broker). We also have our own free proprietary trading software"

BeyondTheTrades Insights via TplusTwo Holdings, LLC breaks down the inner workings of trading & business. If you are not already a subscriber, sign up for free and join thousands who receive it directly in their inbox.

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QUESTION - Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Q&A session. Would you like to share with everyone who you are, your background (current and previous career, education, etc). 

Answer:

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI by a single mother, low income suburb, first to graduate from college in my family. Became a Christian in my youth and was very passionate about my faith as a young person and at 19 went to Bible college at Oklahoma Baptist. Once I graduated, I worked as an assistant pastor in Kansas and Ohio for 3 years. In 2009, I was called to pastor in California at the age of 26. While pastoring, I obtaining two Master’s degrees, my final being a Master of Divinitiy. After nine years in the pastorate of a large church with a Christian school, I felt led to leave the ministry and pursue a career that could more adequately provide for my 5 children and wife of 10 years at the time (married young). We moved from Riverside county to Orange county in 2018 and I began building my insurance practice with State Farm Insurance. In 2022, the insurance market began to constrict considerably in California and I was recruited into the futures industry. I obtained my series 3 and began working for Ironbeam in 2023 and I LOVE IT!

QUESTION - For our readers who may not know, you are part of the leadership team at Ironbeam. What exactly does Ironbeam offer for the everyday retail or institutional trader/investor. And what sets you apart from any others.What trading instruments do you support (Equities, ES, Futures, etc)?

Answer: 

We are different because we are an FCM that also works with retail traders directly, cutting out the middleman (Introducing broker). We also have our own free proprietary trading software that is truly only available at Ironbeam. We offer competitive rates paired with way-above- industry standard services, including assigning account managers to each individual account that comes in.Our trade desk is the best in the business, calls are picked up in a few rings, no automated menus to navigate. etc etc

QUESTION - How did you get involved in the trading and Fintechindustry. And what would a typical day of yours look like at Ironbeam?

Answer: 

I was recruited by our management team out of the insurance industry. A typical day for me involves setting up traders with preferred platforms (you can use almost every platform with Ironbeam) and taking incoming calls on the trade desk (we have a number of brokers on the trade desk). I specifically head up our institutional marketing, targeting hedge funds, CPOs, and larger CTAs. We have seen tremendous growth over the past few quarters.Of course, I manage my book of business, paying special attention to my clients hedging and/or investing objectives. I work as a liaison to our upper management team, serving as a buffer with our institutional clients primarily, but also firms that require technology solutions for their futures trading infrastructure. Lately, I have been working more with retail traders and educators,aiming to broaden our reach as an FCM. I do this as much as I can as there is such a large space and so many retail traders coming into the business.

QUESTION-  What personal or professional failure/setback have you experienced in trading AND your life that has set you up for later success?

Answer: 

When State Farm pulled out of California, it really impacted my finances, necessitated a transition in careers, which led to my being recruited by my best client and ending up here at Ironbeam. I think that setbacks are often opportunities for growth, but mindset is key.

QUESTION : This is becoming a favorite question for many - plus readers get some good gift ideas from it. What purchase of less than $100 have you made in the past year that you simply could not live without now?

Answer: 

I bought an ergonomic mouse that places my hand on its side as opposed to flat, this has helped with wrist pain and I am confident this is something some traders and those who work at a desk can identify with. I also bought an air filter (bit more than $100),but I wake up so much better with that air purifier (LEVOIT = Brand) running right next to my bed in my room.

QUESTION - If you could choose three dinner guests dead or alive,who would they be and why?

Answer:

Jesus, Jordan Peterson, and my Grandfather, who was a prisoner of war in WW2. He passed when I was 11. Jesus because I lack faith and love confirmation. Would like to know his take on the church today and how his words are interpreted. Jordan Peterson because I feel like he would think of questions to ask Jesus that may elude me and I think he has a very gifted mind. My Grandfather because, well… I miss him.

QUESTION - What are your goals for the future. Both personally and professionally with your company (including new products or services)

Answer: 

I have five children, four boys. My goals are mostly related to them personally – my oldest (18) is a football star and I want to see him transition into adulthood well. So personally, I want to be a good father during his young adult years. My daughter is 16 and I have similar desires for her, personally I want to keep boys away for as long as possible. My three youngest boys (8, 10, 12) are beginning to compete in jiu-jitsu and I may take that up.Personally, I want to stay fit. I run 5 miles per day and I want to maintain that consistency. Its really necessary as I am now 41 and my BP elevates when I don’t exercise.Professionally, I would like to obtain my CFA designation and begin to distinguish Ironbeam as the flexible and accessible option for institutional traders and hedge funds. WE have much to offer in that space as we are positioned much better than many other FCMs. We are growing and have room for growth.

QUESTION - What advice would you give to your younger self and to someone just coming out of school (college or high school)

Answer: 

Because I have children, I would have purchased more life insurance. I don’t plan on dying anytime soon and I have a good deal of life insurance, but now that inflation is doing what it is doing, I wish I had more. Life is a vapor and appears for a little time and then vanishes away. I worry that if something happened to me, the life insurance I am living along with my humble net worth wouldn’t go as far I would like it.

Thank you for taking the time with this interview, where can our readers find and follow you at?

Answer: Click here to learn more and sign up at Ironbeam

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