Codie Sanchez: This Is the No. 1 Fastest Way To Build Wealth in 2026
Building wealth in today’s economy isn’t as simple as working a 9-to-5 and saving what you can.
And even traditional paths like stocks and real estate may not be enough, according to Codie Sanchez, CEO of Contrarian Thinking. Here’s what she says is the fastest way to build wealth in 2026 — and how to approach it realistically.
That’s Rough: It's Not You — 4 Roles Proving Jobs Pay Less Than They Used To
You’re Innovative: 7 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)
The Fastest Way To Build Wealth in 2026, According to Data
According to Sanchez, who recently released the 2026 State of Main Street report, the information all leads to one clear conclusion: business ownership is the fastest path to wealth.
“Data tells you that the fastest way to become wealthy is to own a business,” she told MoneyLion. “Sixty percent of all millionaires own a business; 88% of people worth over $30 million own a business.”
That idea still isn’t considered a mainstream wealth-building strategy — but Sanchez argues it should be.
“The No. 1 way to get wealth in this country is not real estate, it's not trust funds, it's not marrying old; it's buying a business or owning a business or building a business,” she said.
However, how you enter business ownership matters.
Why Buying a Business Beats Starting From Scratch
While building a company from the ground up is often seen as the traditional route to wealth, Sanchez notes that it also comes with the highest risk.
“Most startups fail — 90% of them do,” she said. “So I don't like the startup method because most of them fail … the fastest way to make money is buying businesses.”
Buying an existing business allows you to generate income without starting from zero.
How To Buy a Business Without a Huge Upfront Investment
That may sound appealing, but for many people, buying a business can feel out of reach.
“It is intimidating buying a business, because of the costs, but also the responsibility,” Sanchez said. “People are like, ‘I don't want another job. I barely like mine.’”
Instead of going all in, Sanchez recommends starting small with partial ownership.
“You don't start by buying the mansion, you start by buying a studio apartment,” she said. “And so with buying businesses, we like people to start with partial ownership.”
In practice, that could mean investing a smaller amount into an existing business — even one owned by a friend or local operator — and contributing skills like marketing, PR or operations in exchange for equity. Over time, that stake can grow through profit-sharing or negotiated ownership increases.
“That’s how I started buying businesses,” Sanchez said, “and I think way more people should do that instead of the stock market.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: