From Assistant Principal to Six-Figure Trader: How To Master Stock Trading and Full-Time Travel with Teri Ijeoma – Episode 7

Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes

From assistant principal to becoming a successful day trader and entrepreneur. Teri Ijeoma is passionate about teaching people how to invest in the stock market through trading stocks. After getting denied vacation time for the third time and having a friend pass away abruptly, Teri Ijeoma decided that life was too short to not pursue her dreams. After lots of practice and taking classes learning how to trade in the stock market, Teri quit her job when she made enough money to replace her full-time income.

Teri Ijeoma is an entrepreneur and professional day trader. She went from earning $60,000 as an assistant principal to earning six-figures per month teaching others how to trade stocks in her Stocks 101 course (promo code ‘STOCKS2025’ to save $2,000). With Stocks 101, learn the strategies Teri has used to become a successful day trader, earn a full-time income, and reach financial independence.

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We cover:

• How Teri got started investing
• Tips for first time investors
• How to build the confidence to trade
• Challenges new investors face
• What is a stock?
• What is a brokerage account?
• How Teri transitioned from working full-time to making over $1,000 a day trading and traveling
• Ways to talk to your boss about pursuing professional development opportunities

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From Burnout To Full-Time Day Trader

Before teaching people how to trade and live out their dreams of financial independence, Teri Ijeoma worked as an assistant principal of an elementary school.

As a graduate of MIT, she was familiar with the stock market but hadn’t invested herself until her realtor encouraged her to look into it. 

Teri Ijeoma: I actually have been familiar with investing for a long time. I went to MIT and most of my friends coming out went to either investment banks or consulting. That was the whole track for business school graduates. So I was familiar with it but I didn’t know how to do it for myself. 

So when the stock market crashed and there was a housing crash, I was going to invest in houses, but my realtor kept talking about how well he was doing in stocks. So I decided I’d go out and open my own personal account.

When I became an assistant principal, I thought it was everything I wanted it to be and it was not. I was stressed all the time. I was crying in the bathroom. I was dragging to go to work every day. I needed an exit strategy.

If I could make $300 a day, I can replace my assistant principal income. So, I started working towards that, taking classes, practicing trading every day. When intesched my goal, I quit and started living my real dream in 2017, which was traveling all over the world and trading stocks.

No one ever talked about stocks around me. That’s one of the downfalls. Other communities have an uncle or someone who has told them about investing since they were young. Or maybe they even got stocks for their second birthday. No one in my family knew how to do anything with investing. I was on my own.

Gaining Momentum Learning How To Trade Stocks

After reading books and taking investing courses, Teri decided to use trading as a side hustle to supplement her income. However, after suffering from burnout and a close friend passing away suddenly, she realized that life was too short. Now was the time to pursue her dreams of traveling the world. 

She started with $30,000 of retirement savings which she moved into a cash account.

Goal: Try to make 1% of it on a regular basis; $300 a day. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. So this is a goal, an average.

By late 2017 she reached her goal, quit her job, and enrolled in a remote work program traveling to South Korea and many more destinations. 

During that trip, Teri started teaching classes to travelers curious about investing in the stock market. Combining her passion for teaching and trading, Teri launched Trade and Travel course, teaching investing basics and more advanced trading topics, such as options.

In addition to investing, Teri has over ten years of experience in operations, logistics, staff development, nonprofits, and education. Teri graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a Bachelor of Management Science and a Master of Media and Communications from Dallas Theology Seminary.

Teri shows us that if we put our fears aside, we can potentially add stock trading to our portfolio as a viable income source.

Want to learn how to invest with Teri? Sign up for Stocks 101 to learn how to make money in the stock market by confidently trading stocks.

📌 Current Deal: Use code STOCKS2025 to save $2,000

How to Get Started Trading

Teri Ijeoma: Trading is a skillset you need to grow to become better at.

Start with enough to open a brokerage account where you can purchase stocks then trade with a simulator, which is fake money, until you become good. You do not have to put all your money in.

Investing $2,000 is the next goal. Try to make 1% return which is $20 on a regular basis.

If you can get good and be consistent, that means you’re making $100 a week and $400 extra a month.

When the opportunity comes along, you’ll be able to pick good companies and place live trades.

What is a brokerage account? 

A brokerage account is an account used to buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Put as much money into your brokerage as you want. 

Although you cannot use a checking or saving account to invest, a brokerage account allows you to invest beyond traditional retirement accounts like a 401(k) or Roth IRA. Unlike traditional retirement accounts, brokerage accounts do not charge any penalties if you decide to access your money earlier than retirement age. 

Beware that with a brokerage account, you are responsible for paying taxes on any capital gains made from selling investments.

Here’s how to start investing in the stock market:

1. Teri recommends opening a brokerage account.
2. Look for brokerages with low fees or no minimums, like Robinhood.
3. Learn how to trade by starting with fake money (use a simulator account).
4. Take a stock trading class and learn from an expert trader. 

Listen to this podcast episode next: Best Stock Research Tools and Websites – Episode 99

Want to learn how to invest with Teri? Sign up for Stocks 101. Teri Ijeoma has helped over 35,000 students learn how to trade in the stock market. Also, here are the answers to the top frequently asked questions about the course.

Teri Ijeoma: If you are starting with a small amount, I’d recommend looking at some brokerages that have low fees, like a Robinhood or something else that has zero fees for small trades. Other things to look out for include good customer service, reliability, robust investing tools, and educational resources.  

But once you want to make regular income, you will need a more robust platform. You need something where you can read charts and look at the research, like E* Trade, Fidelity, or Vanguard, even.

And then, if you want to become a master trader, other brokers are even more sophisticated than that. Also, brick-and-mortar banks like Bank of America and Chase now offer brokerage accounts to their customers.

What is a stock? 

Teri Ijeoma: When a company is building, usually, they raise funds. They may go to an angel investor and say, hey, you know I have this great idea. Will you invest in us?

They get that first round of funding. But as they grow, they figure out they need more money, so they go public.

With a public offering they can divide the company into stocks and get funding that way.

Think of stocks as little pieces of ownership of a company.

What is a day trader? 

A day trader buys and sells stocks or options within the same day. While a day trader invests for daily income, a swing trader holds onto a stock overnight. Swing traders typically hold stocks for up to one year while a long term investor holds onto their assets for one or more years.

As an active investor you are trying to make a percentage of your cash account. Teri suggests starting with $2,000.

Teri Ijeoma: I’m an active trader. I focus on swing trading and day trading, where I make daily income from the stock market. But there’s also value investing, where you buy a stock and hold it long-term.

Day Trading vs Investing

Trading and investing are strategies used to generate wealth in the financial markets. However, they differ regarding time horizons, goals, and risk tolerance.

When it comes to the world of finance and wealth-building, two terms often come up: trading and investing in stocks. While they may seem similar, there are distinct differences between the two approaches.

1. Time Horizon

Trading involves short-term buying and selling of stocks, currencies, or commodities. Traders aim to profit from short-term price fluctuations, often holding positions for minutes, hours, or days.

There are three types of investors in the stock market.

Depending on your goals, trading frequency, and how much time you’re willing to invest in research, there are day traders, swing traders, and long-term investors.

Day trading involves actively trading for income by getting in and out of a trade within the same day. In contrast, swing trading involves holding onto stocks for a more extended period, typically a week or more.

Not to mention, day traders, if profitable, have access to the money they generate quickly. So, if you’re looking for a hands-on, flexible, do-from-anywhere gig, this might be your route.

Investing, on the other hand, focuses on long-term growth. Investors typically buy and hold assets for an extended period, often years or even decades. The goal is to accumulate wealth over time through appreciation and dividends.

To simplify, whether you’re a day trader, swing trader, or long-term investor, you’re buying something inexpensively and selling it for more to make a profit.

2. Goals

Traders aim to generate quick profits by taking advantage of short-term market movements. They use various strategies, like technical analysis, chart patterns, market trends, or news, to identify short-term trading opportunities.

On the contrary, investors have a long-term perspective and aim to build wealth over time. Their goals may include retirement planning, funding college or graduate school, or achieving financial independence.

They focus on fundamental analysis, evaluating the overall financial health and growth potential of companies or assets.

3. Risk Tolerance

Trading involves higher levels of risk due to the short-term nature of transactions. Traders must be prepared to handle market volatility and accept the possibility (and reality) of losses.

They say most traders will lose money over their trading career, so be mindful. Risk management strategies, such as stop-loss orders, are crucial for traders to limit potential losses.

Investing is less risky since you can ride out market fluctuations and benefit from the overall market growth for an extended time.

No matter which approach you choose, investing carries risks. Diversification and understanding common mistakes new investors make and how to overcome them are crucial to managing risk and achieving success.

4. Frequency of Transactions

Traders frequently buy and sell assets, often executing multiple trades within a day or week. They closely monitor market conditions and make quick decisions based on their trading analysis.

Investors have fewer transactions. They buy assets to hold onto them for the long term.

5. Fees

Investing in stocks and trading comes with different fee structures.

Currently, many online brokers, like TD Ameritrade, Fidelity, and Trade Station, offer zero fees for trading stocks and ETFs (exchange-traded funds). However, fees may still apply for more complex trading, like options and futures.

When you buy or sell stocks, you may need to pay a brokerage commission. Fees vary by broker; some may be a fixed amount while others a percentage of the transaction value. Costs can add up quickly, significantly impacting profitability.

Active traders often use real-time market data to make informed decisions. Depending on the trading platform and the level of data needed, you might purchase additional monthly subscriptions.

In summary, fee structures vary widely depending on the broker you choose, the types of trades you make, and the trading frequency. Carefully review a broker’s fee schedule and terms before opening an account.

Building the Confidence to Trade 

Teri recommends trading with fake money if you’re afraid to trade with real money.

Prioritize picking good companies and protecting yourself by following a risk management plan so you don’t lose money.

Teri Ijeoma: There are a lot of people that when they first get into investing, they think of what companies do I like. But then, when they invest, they invest at the highs. 

When trading, you have to know how to protect yourself. Put in a stop loss. That means if a stock is going down or the trade is going in the wrong direction, a stop loss can stop you from losing any more money. Always trade with one of those.

Also, sometimes a company can be a good company but not a good stock to trade.

7 Tips For Beginning Investors

Are you investing for the first time? Here are some valuable lessons and tips I’ve learned from Teri Ijeoma over the last few years.

1. Don’t be greedy

Wanting to make more money in the stock market can sometimes put your portfolio at risk. Teri cautions us to be aware of the emotional side of trading. She advises not to chase plays — buying high because you don’t want to miss the upward momentum.

To combat FOMO (fear of missing out), she recommends remembering that there will be more opportunities in the future. There are opportunities to make money in the stock market every day. The sooner you can control your emotions, the fewer mistakes you’ll make and the better trader you’ll become.

2. You will make mistakes

As a new investor, making mistakes is inevitable. However, what matters most is to make a note of your shortcomings, brush yourself off, get back up and try again. The goal is to stack up small and consistent wins while keeping your losses at a minimum.

3. Size matters  

Consider taking smaller positions, especially during economic uncertainty like a recession. As new investors, aim to make small but consistent income.

Listen Next: 15 Ways to Prepare For a Recession

4. Pivot quickly

While trading, if your position goes against you, don’t be afraid to pull the plug.

Exit the trade and get back in at a better price point later. 

5. Never pay full price

You never want to pay full price for a stock. That means do your research. Gather information and wait for a stock to go on sale. Remember the stock market is a true marketplace where buyers and sellers are negotiating on price. Do not feel pressured to trade a stock because you don’t want to miss out on either a buying or selling opportunity.

6. Learning how to trade is a lifelong skill 

My dad tells me this all the time, but learning how to trade is a skill set you will have for the rest of your life. Putting in the time and energy to master the craft will help you generate income, and you can pass down this skill to future generations.

While you can learn on your own, why not limit your mistakes by learning from an experienced trader by taking a class. Want to fast-track your learning? Start with Stocks 101.

📌 Current Deal: Use code STOCKS2025 to save $2,000

7. Create a trading plan 

Lastly, Teri encourages us to create a trading plan — a set of rules that will lead you to success. The hardest part will be having the discipline to stick to it.

Your trading plan should incorporate the following:

• What are your short-term financial goals?
• How long are you willing to hold a stock?
• When are you going to make time to trade? 
• How will you mitigate risk?

Overall, it’s possible to generate regular income from the stock market.

Not only has trading afforded Teri the ability to quit her job and travel the world, but she recently retired her mom.

Through Teri Ijeoma’s Stocks 101 course (promo code ‘STOCKS2025’ to save $2,000), she has helped over 1,000 of her students make $1,000 a day trading stocks. Her students have used the income they’ve generated from trading to pay bills, pay off debt, quit their part-time or full-time jobs, save for trips, retire early, and more.

While the stats say that 95% of active traders lose money, she’s proof that traders can beat the odds.

Tired of reading? Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.

Benefits of Trade and Travel Stocks 101 Course

Considering enrolling in Teri Ijeoma’s day trading course?

Regardless if you are a long-term investor or an active trader, understanding the market is essential to financial success.

If you are wondering how to get started but feel overwhelmed, follow Teri Ijeoma, a professional day trader and instructor with over 13 years of trading experience, empowering beginners and experienced traders alike to take the next step.

One of the key takeaways from Teri’s approach to actively trading is focusing on small, consistent gains that can accumulate over time. By aiming for 1% of their portfolio’s cash amount, generate steady income and grow your account.

If you are interested in trading but need help with where to start, Trade and Travel will take you by the hand and walk you through how to make consistent income so you can leave your job, pay off your house, remodel your kitchen, or do something else, big or small.

One of the things I appreciate about this course is the step-by-step instruction and guidance, from how to pick good companies to risk management.

If you are considering a course to learn how to trade, Trade and Travel Stocks 101 by Teri Ijeoma equips you with the knowledge and skills to start trading stocks.

📌 Current Deal: Use code STOCKS2025

While YouTube University is free and can be a great learning resource, here’s what makes Teri’s course different from learning elsewhere.

Benefit 1: Convenience

This self-paced Teri Ijeoma course provides all the necessary information and resources in one place, making it easier and more convenient to learn about trading in the stock market.

Learning on YouTube takes a lot of time. However, following the course schedule, you can learn the basics within eight weeks.

If you need a refresher or want to watch the videos again, no problem. Enjoy lifetime access to the course and review its contents as many times as you’d like.

Benefit 2: Personal Experience

Unsure who to trust or which person is giving you the correct information online?

With an entirely laid out trading course, have everything in one place.

As I mentioned earlier, Teri Ijeoma has over 13 years of trading experience and has personally gone through the ups and downs of trading. She shares her losses and lessons learned, providing valuable insights and guidance to her students.

In Module 2 of the course, for example, Teri breaks down the (6) common mistakes new traders make and the solutions to each. She’s been through all the emotional parts of trading, so having someone who you can trust to guide you through makes a big difference.

Known for explaining complex concepts clearly, she has a background in education and a deep understanding of effective teaching methods, so her course is built with a solid curriculum.

I recommend watching several of Teri’s teaching style YouTube videos to see if you like her teaching methods. Teri has also been a featured guest on dozens on podcasts, so listen to a few to learn more about her and her trading methodology.

Benefit 3: Step-by-Step Guidance

This course walks you through the entire trading process, from opening a brokerage account to researching stocks, entering trades, risk management, and beyond.

While stock trading can offer financial freedom and flexibility, it requires discipline, risk management, and continuous learning. Therefore, those interested in entering the stock market should prioritize gaining knowledge and seeking guidance as they refine their trading strategy to increase their chances of success.

Trading stocks is not simply about buying and selling but also about understanding the intricacies of the market and making informed decisions.

Join 35,000 students who have taken the Trade and Travel course, including yours truly. A few years from now, when you’re making $100 or even $1,000 a day trading, you’ll think back to this moment and say, “I’m glad I signed up.”

Have more questions about the course? Read this blog post next, which features answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Trade and Travel course.Resources Mentioned

Sign up for Teri’s investment stock market class, where you learn how she makes $1,000 a day and the secrets that lead to Teri’s investing success.

In Stocks 101, learn how to:

• Pick the right companies to invest in.
• Ways to protect your investment portfolio.
• How to read charts and conduct technical analysis.
• How to price a trade.
• Strategies to earn consistently and more!

While it took Teri 10+ years to master trading, follow her proven trading strategies to have $1,000 days in a lot less time.

In 2019, Teri competed against other course creators and became the Grand Champion of Teachable’s 2019 Creator Challenge.

First time investing? What’s holding you back from investing in the stock market?