Markay Latimer, The Trend Setter at BetterTrades

Anyone who claims they can't understand the stock market and potentially make money because they aren't good with numbers should spend a few minutes with BetterTrades coach Markay Latimer. Despite her self-acclaimed lack of math skills, Markay knows that it is actually possible by looking at the pictures, or stock charts, rather than just focusing on the numbers.

"I wanted to be a doctor, but I wasn't that good at math or working with numbers and I was afraid of going down that path," Markay says.

Markay chose to work in public relations, which she enjoyed, but struggled with a modest salary and limited long-range prospects. She was looking for additional income when she found a book about stock market trading. She was intrigued by the stock charts and saw the potential that existed with buying and selling stocks and options.

Beginning around 1996 Markay studied stock market educational material, pooled her money and began trading in the stock market. Since that time, Markay has gone through periods of active trading and practice trading. She has remained a student of the markets by studying and back testing chart patterns and indicators, which has been a key for her. Ironically she began working on this while trying to prove such technical signs were silly and unnecessary.

"I thought there is no way a past chart is going to tell you how to make money today," Markay said. "So I set out to prove just that."

After hours of research, and some profitable trades and some losing trades, Markay became a convert by proving to herself the importance of reading charts and patterns.

The long-range result was the development of her proprietary system of scans that reveal stocks with tradable patterns, in her experience, often before other filters find them. Many students see value in this tool, as it cuts down the amount of preparation time.

Since 2000, Markay has focused on teaching students how to trade in the stock market. Her pleasant personality and upbeat style makes learning fun and keeps her students coming back for more.

Markay and her husband Jed live in Seattle. They have two sons and enjoy scuba diving and traveling to warm locales.