Getting to Know You: John Margerison, Serial Entrepreneur, Professional Investor, Consultant, Mentor, and Philanthropist
Originally born in England, John Margerison moved to Australia with his family when he was six years old. Growing up in a new country allowed him to develop resilience, adaptability, and an open-minded approach to new experiences.
After completing high school in Brisbane, he pursued higher education at Gold Coast University, where he obtained a degree in Business Commerce.
During his university years, John began showing an interest in entrepreneurship, which led him to start several of his own businesses upon graduation. He has been involved in various industries, including marketing consultancy, jewelry, information technology software, property development, finance and lending, and healthcare, among others. Through his entrepreneurial journey, John has learned valuable lessons that have allowed him to navigate the highs and lows of the business world.
In addition to running his own businesses, John Margerison has also consulted for several companies on their business strategies. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and expertise with others, especially those who are transitioning from a traditional job to starting their own business. John has often said that he finds the biggest challenge for most would-be and novice entrepreneurs is taking the first step, and he is passionate about providing guidance and support to those who seek to do just that.
Being an entrepreneur requires a unique set of skills, including risk-taking, creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance. Whether through mentorship, consulting, or networking, John Margerison is always looking for ways to give back to the entrepreneurial community. He believes that a combination of hard work and a bit of luck can lead to success, and he’s committed to helping others launch their own businesses and achieve their goals.
What do you currently do at your company?
Currently, my focus is on the dynamic world of financial markets where I use my skills and knowledge to develop algorithms that trade across global markets. My algorithmic trading strategies are carefully designed to identify and capitalize on market trends and movements, which requires constant monitoring and analysis of market data.
As an experienced trader and algorithmic developer, I’m familiar with the complexities and risks of financial markets, and I take a disciplined and data-driven approach to my work. I believe that my success in this field is due to my ability to think creatively and strategically, all the while remaining grounded in sound financial principles.
My passion for the financial markets has led me to explore different trading strategies and investment vehicles, such as commodities, stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies.
What was the inspiration behind your business?
Running a business that trades against the world markets is not an easy feat, but I am passionate about the challenge it brings. I find it incredibly fulfilling to develop mathematical solutions that can accurately predict market changes, and use that insight to make strategic investment decisions.
Predicting the future of the global financial markets requires a combination of skills, including expertise in finance, statistics, mathematics, and computer science. I am constantly improving my knowledge in these fields, and I am committed to staying ahead of the game.
Through my business, I have developed a data-driven approach to trading that enables me to identify trends and patterns in the market that others might miss. This allows me to make informed decisions and capitalize on market fluctuations in real-time.
Owning and operating a business that trades against the world markets is definitely a challenge, but I find it fulfilling to create algorithmic solutions that can accurately predict market changes.
What defines your way of doing business?
As a professional, I prioritize ethical responsibility, transparency, trustworthiness, and open-mindedness in everything I do. I believe that these values are essential to building strong and meaningful relationships with my clients and colleagues, and to creating a positive impact in my community.
What keys to being productive can you share?
To me, productivity is not just about getting things done; it’s about approaching tasks with a solution-focused mindset and a belief in oneself. I strongly believe that progress is key to happiness, and so I make it a point to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Being solution-focused means that I approach challenges with an open mind, seeking creative and effective solutions to problems. I’m not deterred by setbacks or obstacles, and I view these as opportunities to learn and grow. I believe that with the right mindset and approach, any challenge can be overcome.
Believing in oneself is also critical to productivity. I’ve learned that confidence in one’s abilities is essential to taking action and making progress. By recognizing my own strengths and capabilities, I’m able to tackle difficult tasks with confidence and determination.
I am also a firm believer that progress equals happiness. Whether it’s making progress towards a personal goal, achieving a milestone in my work, or simply learning something new, the feeling of progress is deeply satisfying and motivating.
Tell us one long-term goal in your career.
One of the primary motivations for my career is to be able to make a positive impact in the world by supporting charitable causes that I believe in. My long-term goal is to generate excess wealth and resources that can be directed towards these causes, making a significant difference in the lives of those in need.
Over the past five years, I am proud to have been involved in a project that has helped feed over 1,000,000 people (now over 1,500,000). This has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and it’s given me a sense of purpose and meaning beyond my work.
As I continue to grow and develop in my career, I’m committed to expanding my impact and supporting additional charitable causes. This includes causes related to poverty, education, healthcare, and the environment, among others.
How do you measure success?
To me, success is about more than just achieving specific goals or reaching certain milestones. Instead, it’s about living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is characterized by happiness, strong relationships, and a sense of joy and wonder in the world around me.
For me, happiness is the ultimate measure of success. Whether I’m working on a project, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing my passions and interests, I always strive to prioritize my own happiness and well-being. This means making time for self-care, engaging in activities that bring me joy, and surrounding myself with positive people and experiences.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?
Throughout my career, I have learned many valuable lessons, but perhaps the most important one is the power of belief. I have come to understand that if you truly believe in something, it can become a reality. This lesson has been the key to unlocking my full potential and achieving success in both my personal and professional life.
When I first started out on my career journey, I had doubts and fears about whether I could achieve my goals. But as I began to focus on my vision and cultivate a deep sense of belief in myself and my abilities, I found that I was able to overcome challenges and obstacles that once seemed insurmountable.
So, if there’s one lesson that I would pass on to others, it would be to always believe in yourself and your own potential. With this powerful mindset, you can overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal, and make a meaningful impact in the world around you.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?
I’ve learned a great deal about what it takes to succeed in the world of business. If I were to offer one piece of advice to other entrepreneurs, it would be to embrace the power of hard work, self-belief, and a willingness to continuously seek out solutions.
First and foremost, hard work is absolutely essential for success in any entrepreneurial endeavor. Building a successful business requires countless hours of dedication, commitment, and effort. As an entrepreneur, you must be willing to put in the time and energy necessary to achieve your goals, even when the going gets tough.
However, hard work alone is not enough. You must also believe in yourself and your project. This means having the confidence to take risks, making bold moves, and persevering in the face of adversity. When you truly believe in yourself and your vision, you’re far better equipped to weather the inevitable challenges that come with entrepreneurship.
It’s also crucial to have a solutions-oriented mindset. Entrepreneurs inevitably encounter numerous obstacles and roadblocks during the process of building a business. The key is to approach these challenges with a willingness to keep searching for solutions, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against you. By being open to new ideas and approaches, and by embracing the power of creativity and innovation, you can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and achieve success.
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
Among my favorite hobbies are skiing, indoor skydiving, and taking relaxing walks along the beach.
How would your colleagues describe you?
When it comes to working with colleagues, I strive to be someone who’s reliable, knowledgeable, and able to think creatively to find solutions to problems. If you were to ask my colleagues to describe me, they would likely say that I am trustworthy, intelligent, and great at finding solutions.
How do you maintain a solid work life balance?
Achieving a healthy work-life balance has always been important to me, as I believe it is key to maintaining happiness and overall well-being. One of the main reasons why I prioritize this balance is because of my children. Spending time with them and watching them grow and learn brings me immense joy, and I cherish the moments we share together.
What is one piece of technology that helps you the most in your daily routine?
For me, one piece of technology that has truly transformed the way I work and live is my smartphone. It keeps me organized and helps me stay connected with my family and friends. I can’t imagine going through my day without it.
What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome?
One of the toughest challenges I’ve faced in my career is learning to say no. As an entrepreneur, there are always new opportunities and projects that come up, but I’ve learned that it’s important to stay focused on my core areas of expertise and not get distracted by every request that comes my way. While it can be difficult to turn down potential partnerships or collaborations, I’ve found that saying no allows me to prioritize my time and resources towards what is most important for my business. Ultimately, this has led to more efficient and effective outcomes, and helped me to achieve greater success in my career.
Who has been a role model to you and why?
I have been inspired by several role models in my life, but two that stand out to me are Tony Robbins and Ray Dalio. Both of these individuals have authored books that offer valuable insights into personal and professional growth, and provide practical guidance on how to navigate life’s challenges.
I have found both of these role models to be incredibly inspiring, and their books have provided me with valuable insights and tools for achieving my own goals and aspirations. I admire their commitment to personal and professional growth, and their willingness to share their wisdom with others.
What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?
Emotions are temporary—people change their emotional states all the time, and that almost always affects the way they judge things.
What does success look like to you?
To me, success means having the freedom to enjoy life on my own terms, surrounded by my family and friends in casual and relaxed settings. It’s not just about achieving financial or career goals, but also about finding balance and fulfillment in all aspects of my life.
What is one piece of advice you would like to leave our readers with?
An important piece of advice I’ve learned over the years is to be mindful of your emotional state and its impact on your thoughts, actions, and ultimately your future. Our emotions can greatly influence the conversations we have with ourselves inside our own heads and the resulting decisions we make.
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Getting to Know You: John Margerison, Serial Entrepreneur, Professional Investor, Consultant, Mentor, and Philanthropist