Why I Built HeyTicker: The Platform I Wished I Had

If I could go back in time, I would buy Bitcoin, Apple and Amazon and I am sure I would still lose money because I wasn’t taught how to invest until I already had a lot of money.

Literally, the thing that made my net-worth grow the most was learning how to invest. And I really mean it. I started my own wealth management company, I became a registered financial advisor with SEC and managed millions of dollars and I saw how the sausage is made.

If I had Ticker when I was younger, learning the basics of investing, I believe it would have fast-forwarded my financial journey by decades.

The Problem

Most people don’t learn how to invest until it’s too late. Traditional finance education is either boring, gated behind expensive courses, or wrapped in so much jargon that it pushes you away before you even begin.

Even the apps that do try to make investing “fun” end up turning it into a casino. They want you trading for dopamine, not building long-term wealth.

The Vision

HeyTicker was built for people like my younger self. Curious. Hungry. Extremely bored with lecturing. I needed a system that:

• Teaches through action, not lectures
• Encourages smart investing, not hype
• Rewards understanding, not blind luck

It’s not a simulator. It’s not just a game. It’s a training ground where you can learn the rhythms of real investing, compete in leagues, experiment with ideas, and build confidence without risking your savings.

What Makes It Different

• Leagues for learners: You join thematic leagues (“Long-Term Growth,” “Recession Survival,” “Dividend Kings,” etc.) that teach you how to build portfolios with purpose.
• No real money, no stress: You get to practice like it's real, but learn without the risk.
• Compete with friends or AI agents: Learning is more fun when it’s social and when you’re getting crashed by smarter algorithms.
• Every action teaches something: From your stock choices to your timing to how you react to news—HeyTicker is built to reflect, improve, and reward smarter thinking.

Why It Matters

I built HeyTicker because I believe financial freedom should be teachable. It shouldn’t be luck. It shouldn’t be something you stumble into in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. You should be able to learn it now.

If just one person uses HeyTicker and ends up avoiding a major financial mistake—or ends up building real wealth earlier in life then it’s already worth it.

If (when?) I invent time travel, this is my message to my younger self.

I got you.

—Jon