Employee Spotlight: Nam Nguyen

What is your title?

Equity Trader

What originally drew you to working at Badgley?

What originally drew me to Badgley Phelps was the opportunity to build on my experience as an equity trader while gaining a broader understanding of investment management and client service.

I was also drawn to the firm’s culture. Badgley Phelps values its employees, supports their growth, and creates opportunities to keep learning. That combination of a strong investment environment and a supportive team really stood out to me.

If you had to explain investing using only a sports analogy, how would you do it?

I would compare investing to building and managing a soccer team. You don’t win by putting all your resources into one player. You build a balanced team where each player has a different role and contributes to the overall strategy.

Investing is similar. Different investments come with different risks and opportunities, and diversification helps create balance. Just like in a game, conditions can change quickly, but that doesn’t mean you abandon the plan every time something unexpected happens. The key is having a strategy, staying disciplined, and adjusting when needed. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is, “Don’t focus only on where you are today; focus on becoming the person you want to be tomorrow.”

That advice has stayed with me throughout my career. Growth takes time and comes from being willing to learn, accept feedback, take on challenges, and keep improving. In a field like trading, where the markets are always changing, that mindset is especially important.

Describe your perfect PNW weekend.    

My perfect PNW weekend would start with being outside, whether that’s playing soccer, going for a hike, or exploring somewhere new around Seattle.

Afterward, I’d grab some good food and spend time with friends or family. On Sunday, I’d slow things down with a good cup of tea, take care of a few things around the house, and get ready for the week ahead.

What qualities make someone a successful trader?  

I think a successful trader needs to be disciplined, detail-oriented, responsive, and able to stay calm under pressure.

Accuracy is especially important. When you’re executing trades on behalf of wealth managers and their clients, you need to understand the instructions and handle every detail carefully. Communication also matters. If something is unclear or could affect execution, it’s better to ask questions than make assumptions.

Being dependable and consistent helps build trust, which is an important part of the role. 

What's one habit or routine that helps you perform at your best during the trading day?

I start the day by getting organized and prioritizing the trading instructions I need to execute.
Throughout the day, I stay focused on the details, double-check instructions before submitting orders, and communicate quickly if anything is unclear. Trading can move fast, so having a consistent process helps me stay accurate and efficient.

What's a TV show or movie you can watch over and over?

I’d probably say Friends. It’s easy to enjoy no matter how many times I’ve seen an episode, and I like the humor and the relationships between the characters.

It’s one of those shows I can put on after a long day and immediately relax.

What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done? 

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done was probably moving to the United States when I was 18. I left behind my family, friends, and everything I was familiar with in Vietnam and essentially started over in a completely new country.

At the time, I had to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, and figure out how to navigate a new environment on my own. There were definitely challenges along the way, especially learning English and adjusting to a completely different way of life, but it taught me to be independent, adaptable, and comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Looking back, I think that experience shaped a lot of who I am today. It taught me that being willing to take a risk and put yourself in an unfamiliar situation can create some of the greatest opportunities for growth.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting a career in trading? 

I would tell someone interested in trading to focus first on building a strong foundation and being willing to learn from the people around them.

Trading can look fast-paced from the outside, but there’s much more to it than buying and selling stocks. Attention to detail, accuracy, risk awareness, and communication are all important. Learn how markets work, understand different order types and trading mechanics, and don’t be afraid to start at the ground level.

Ask questions, learn from experienced traders, and stay curious. The markets are always changing, so there is always something new to learn.

Closing Thoughts 

Nam’s focus, adaptability, and desire to keep learning are evident in the way he approaches both his work and his career. From navigating fast-moving markets to taking on new challenges outside his comfort zone, he brings a grounded and growth-oriented mindset to the team.

We appreciate all Nam brings to Badgley Phelps and enjoyed learning more about the experiences that have shaped him.