3 Ways to Wealth and How Paychecks, Passion, and Portfolios Build Fortunes
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 9
- 7 min read
Written by William Ballard, CEO, Business Coach
Coming from a middle-class family, William has a heart for helping people who feel they have so much more to give, but can't seem to escape the 9-to-5 rat race. With the wisdom he's absorbed from the several mentors that have poured into his life and the knowledge he's gained from many years of collegiate training, he enjoys sharing all that he's learned with his engaged and growing community.
Let’s face it, if becoming wealthy were as easy as buying a lottery ticket or discovering a magic lamp, we’d all be sipping piña coladas on our private islands. However, wealth isn’t about lucky breaks or mysterious shortcuts. It’s about understanding your options, rolling up your sleeves, and picking a lane (or three!).
The truth is, there are only a handful of real ways to build lasting wealth, and none of them involve suspicious email princes or buried treasure.
So, what are the genuine, time-tested “Ways to Wealth”?
Spoiler alert: they’re not that mysterious.
It comes down to three paths: building a career, starting a business, and investing. You don’t need a PhD in finance or a trust fund; you just need determination, a splash of curiosity, and maybe a little caffeine.
Let’s dive in and discover which approach or combination fits your strengths and dreams.
1. The career climb, turning paychecks into prosperity
If you think working a regular job is just for suckers, think again!
Many of the world’s millionaires (and a surprising number of billionaires) started by clocking in and out. Your career can be a powerful engine for building wealth if you play your cards right.
Sure, the nine-to-five life has its quirks: awkward office parties, endless meetings that could’ve been emails, and a boss who thinks “synergy” means “work harder for less.” But here’s the silver lining: a steady paycheck lets you build a financial safety net, learn on someone else’s dime, and save for your real dreams.
Think of your job as your first investor. Each promotion, raise, or new skill you pick up is like adding horsepower to your wealth machine. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, there’s honor (and plenty of zeros) in climbing the ladder.
How to make your job work for you (not the other way around)
We’ve all met that person who seems stuck in career quicksand, same job, same pay, same complaints, year after year. But you? You’re here to run, not stand still. The trick is to treat your job like a business. Show up, yes, but also show out.
Begin by seeking opportunities to stand out. Maybe you’re the only accountant who can explain taxes without making everyone’s eyes glaze over, or you’re the project manager who brings donuts (and solutions) to every meeting. The more valuable you are, the more leverage you have to negotiate better pay, perks, and opportunities.
And don’t be shy about asking for what you want. As the legendary George Burns once quipped, “Don’t stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed.” Translation: Don’t settle for less when you can earn more. Whether it’s a raise, a new title, or a flexible schedule, ask. The worst they can say is “no.”
Living below your means is your wealth superpower
Here’s a dirty little secret: It’s not how much you earn. It’s how much you keep. The world is full of broke high-earners people who make six figures but spend seven. If you want to build wealth, you’ve got to master the art of living below your means. Get creative! Pack your lunch, buy last season’s tech, and become best friends with your budget.
Each dollar you save is a soldier in your wealth-building army. It funds your investments, seeds your side hustles, and cushions your leap into entrepreneurship. Remember, Warren Buffett still lives in the same modest house he bought in 1958. If that’s good enough for a billionaire, it’s good enough for us mere mortals.
2. The entrepreneurial adventure: Building wealth with grit and guts
Now, let’s talk about the dreamers, the doers, the “I’ll sleep when I’m rich” crowd, entrepreneurs.
If you’ve ever thought, “I could build something better,” or “Why am I making money for someone else?” then starting your own business might be your calling.
Entrepreneurship is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded, scary, thrilling, and occasionally nausea-inducing. But it’s also the fast lane to wealth for those willing to take calculated risks. When you own the business, you own the upside. And the downside. And the coffee maker.
The beauty of entrepreneurship is that there’s no cap on your potential. Want to launch a taco truck, a tech startup, or the next big e-commerce empire? The only limit is your imagination (and, okay, maybe local health codes).
What it really takes to be a successful entrepreneur
Let’s bust a myth right now: You don’t need to invent a flying car to make it big. Most successful entrepreneurs simply solve everyday problems a little better than the next guy.
The real magic is in resilience. You’ll fail. You’ll fumble. You might even accidentally send a “reply all” you’ll regret for years. But each setback is a lesson in disguise. As Peter Drucker wisely said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Entrepreneurs don’t wait for opportunity; they build it, one small win at a time.
And don’t forget about sales. You can build the fanciest mousetrap in the world, but if you can’t convince anyone to buy it, you’re just the proud owner of a very lonely mouse. Learn to communicate effectively, persuade others, and confidently stand behind your product. Your bank account will thank you.
From side hustle to empire: Scaling your business the smart way
Not ready to quit your day job? No problem!
Many entrepreneurs start on the side, turning weekend hobbies into cash machines. Maybe you freelance, start a small online store, or teach guitar lessons to neighborhood kids. These mini-businesses can blossom into full-blown enterprises if you nurture them with care, consistency, and a little bit of elbow grease.
The secret sauce? Systems.
Build processes for everything you do, so your business can grow without requiring you to work 100-hour weeks. Delegate, automate, and reinvest your profits. The goal isn’t just to make money, but to create something that runs without you. That’s real wealth.
3. Investing, letting your money do the heavy lifting
If you ever wished your dollars would get off the couch and go to work, you’re going to love investing. While your job and business require your time and energy, investing is like hiring a team of tiny employees who never sleep, never take lunch breaks, and compound your returns 24/7.
Investing is the great equalizer. You don’t need to be a genius or a millionaire to get started, just patient and consistent. Whether it’s real estate, stocks, or a well-diversified portfolio, the key is to start early and let time do the heavy lifting. As Warren Buffett put it, “The stock market is designed to transfer money from the Active to the Patient.”
Real estate vs. Stocks: Which path is right for you?
Let’s settle the age-old debate: real estate or stocks? The answer is, why not both? Real estate offers tangible assets, rental income, and the thrill of wielding a paintbrush during a renovation. Stocks, on the other hand, give you a piece of the world’s biggest companies with just a few clicks.
Real estate can make you rich slowly (think: steady rental checks and appreciation), while stocks can make you rich quietly (think: your 401(k) doubling while you binge-watch the latest Netflix hit).
Each has its quirks, property taxes and tenants on one side, market swings and emotional rollercoasters on the other. The trick? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify, diversify, diversify.
Investing for beginners: How to start (even if you’re broke)
You don’t need a trust fund or a secret handshake to start investing. Most platforms let you open an account with as little as $50. Start with what you have, learn as you go, and focus on the long term. Forget get-rich-quick schemes; wealth loves patience.
Educate yourself before you dive in. Read books, follow credible experts, and ask questions. If you’re overwhelmed, consider index funds or a robo-advisor to do the heavy lifting. And remember, it’s never too late to start. The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best is now.
Choosing your path, why you don’t have to pick just one
Here’s the plot twist: you don’t have to choose just one way to wealth. Many of today’s wealthiest people started with a job, built a business on the side, and invested their profits. You could climb the corporate ladder, launch a side hustle, and create a killer investment portfolio, all before lunch (okay, maybe not that fast).
The point is, wealth isn’t a straight line. It’s more like an adventurous road trip with unexpected detours, snack breaks, and the occasional flat tire. What matters is getting started and not letting fear or perfectionism hold you back.
As Henry David Thoreau said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” So pick your path, or paths, and enjoy the ride.
Your wealth journey starts now
So, there you have it: three ways to wealth: careers, entrepreneurship (or business ownership), and investing. Each path has its challenges and joys. Whether you’re a corporate climber, a budding business owner, or a rookie investor, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.
The most important step? Start today. Take action, learn from your mistakes, and don’t be afraid to switch lanes when you need to. As the saying goes, “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” And the same can be said for those who invest, save, and keep moving forward.
So, what’s your next step? Will you negotiate a raise, launch your first side hustle, or finally open that investment account? The only wrong answer is doing nothing. Your future self will thank you for every step you take starting now.
Now, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, I encourage you to subscribe to our Business & Entrepreneurship newsletter today. Why? Because we truly believe no entrepreneur or business owner should have to build or grow a business alone.
William Ballard, CEO, Business Coach
Coming from a middle-class family, William has a heart for helping people who feel they have so much more to give, but can't seem to escape the 9-to-5 rat race. With the wisdom he's absorbed from the several mentors that have poured into his life and the knowledge he's gained from many years of collegiate training, he enjoys sharing all that he's learned with his engaged and growing community. He is the founder of the Business Insider newsletter (3,000+ subscribers) and is a sought-after Certified Coach and Trainer within the John Maxwell Leadership Team. William and his team specialize in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs bring their organizations to scale by creating authority-positioning content and authentic, magnetic messaging that inspires and changes lives.
