From Intern to Silver Trader: Joel Alexander

When Joel Alexander first joined Olympic Industries back in January 2023 as a Trader Intern, he didn’t just see it as a learning opportunity—he saw it as a future career. After a few months, he transitioned to a Trader Trainee, where he further grew his responsibilities and knowledge—and by January 2024, Joel became a full-fledged Trader. Fast forward to now, Joel is the recipient of Olympic’s 2024 Rookie of the Year Award and has achieved Silver Trader status. His journey reflects the power of hard work, the impact of mentorship, and how Olympic’s Internship Program is truly designed to set the stage for long-term success.

Learning by Doing—and by Watching

For Joel, the monumental part of training wasn’t something that came out of a textbook. It was the chance to shadow seasoned Traders and observe the often unseen, nuanced details of their day-to-day work.

“There are a lot of small things that we do behind the scenes. These things are not included in books, modules, etc. so the only way to learn is to sit and speak with other Traders on how they handle their business.”

That real-world exposure helped in preparing Joel for the Trader role.

The Mindset: Confidence and Hard Work

Even as an Intern, Joel treated himself as a Trainee to showcase his capability in taking on more responsibility. That confident mindset helped smooth his transition as he moved up the ranks and developed a tolerance for risk.

“There is a level of confidence that you need to have as a Trader to be successful. The ability to take on risk comes with that confidence, and you need to take on some risk to succeed as a Trader.”

When asked what qualities or skills helped him stand out and rise quickly to Silver Trader status, Joel’s answer is simple: hard work.

“I wouldn't say that I possess any special skills that make me a better Trader than anyone else. The single thing that has made me successful is my work ethic—combined with the information and advice from other Traders.”

The First Sale

Reflecting on his first sale, Joel highlights the importance of resilience as a Trader by not letting setbacks hold him back from his next opportunity.

“I immediately called Charles—one of our other Traders— and told him ‘I think I just sold my first truck’ and he said, ‘Nice, how much money are you losing?’. I handled it the same way I handle my sales today—it feels good for 5 seconds, and then I immediately start thinking about my next trade.”

No Room for Complacency

Commodity trading isn’t for the faint of heart, and Joel doesn’t sugarcoat it. When asked what people underestimate about a career in commodity trading, Joel answers:

“The hard work and commitment you have to put in— especially in today’s market. If you’re a new Trader expecting to put in 8 hours a day and call it done, you'll quickly realize this career demands more. For those willing to put in the effort, there’s huge potential to grow and succeed.”

That grit and hustle is a necessity in the world of commodity trading, where success demands stamina and self-motivation.

Challenges, Growth, and Perspective

Like any journey, Joel’s rise wasn’t without its hurdles. One of his biggest challenges was comparing himself to others—something that pulled focus away from his own goals.

“I'd see someone else do something great and I would think to myself ‘Why isn't this working for me like it’s working for them?’ or, ‘Why can't that be me?’. You get the idea.”

It’s advice he credits to fellow Trader, Greg Tanner, whose #1 rule is “TRUST THE PROCESS" .

“I should have been focusing on myself and trusting the process I have put in place to propel my business.”

Over time, trading has also taught Joel to value patience—both in business and in life.

“I have never been a very patient person but in this job, things just don't happen right away all the time. There is a process behind every trade that can range from seconds to years, and sometimes you need to wait for the right moment to make the best move. As I continue to grow here, I begin to learn the value of taking your time and making a calculated decision.”

The Olympic Culture

Joel credits the most exciting aspect of his job as a Trader to the Olympic staff.

“My success here comes directly from the environment and people at Olympic. I wake up every day for work excited to come into the office and trade with a team that I genuinely enjoy spending time with.”

That camaraderie, combined with a culture of excellence, makes Olympic a place where driven individuals thrive.

Advice for Interns

Looking back, Joel has one key piece of advice for future Trader Interns:

“ASK QUESTIONS. This was told to me as an Intern and will continue to be told to Interns going forward. Trading can't be learnt from a book and everyone's business is so different. The only way you can understand how the business works is by asking Traders questions about their specific business. This will help you build relationships with the Traders and ultimately give you an idea of how you want your business to be once you start trading.”

Eyes on the Top

Joel’s story is more than a personal win—it’s a testament to the opportunities available for anyone looking to grow at Olympic.

“My story should show people that anyone who is willing to put in the work and be coachable, can succeed here. Like I said—I am nothing special. I listen, I speak when I need to, and I put in the work accordingly. The tools are all here.”

Now that he’s reached Silver Trader status, Joel isn’t slowing down.

“I want to be the #1 Trader.”

With the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and a strong work ethic, the sky is the limit.