Michael Anderson began his trading career as a stock broker in 1991 and quickly developed a novel approach. Instead of simply buying and selling stocks for his clients, Anderson used options to buy and sell stocks at favorable prices, strategies that were more successful than simply placing limit orders.

In 1995, Anderson began working for a firm that handled commodities as well as stocks and found his options strategies — selling puts to buy stock at a discount and writing covered calls — were even more profitable in the futures markets. He also helped raise money for the firm’s managed futures program.

After becoming an introducing broker in 1996, Anderson discovered credit spreads offered consistent profits and relatively low risk.