Codie Sanchez Says 4 Habits Can Build Serious Wealth

Gabriel VitoSat, April 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC

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Codie Sanchez isn't your average money expert. She went from journalist to private equity powerhouse, building a multimillion-dollar portfolio buying overlooked, unsexy businesses most investors ignore.

Sanchez believes if you build the four habits below, you'll put yourself in a strong position to accumulate real wealth.

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1. Move Fast and Solve Bigger

One of Sanchez's strongest points is that speed and scale matter. If you take forever to make decisions, big or small, that habit might be costing you money.

"Your bank account is a direct representation of the size of problems you solve and how fast you move," she said in an interview on "Millionaires in Cars Getting Coffee" with George Kamel.

She used the example of someone holding up a coffee line, unable to decide on an order. It's not just annoying, but a reflection of indecision and lack of awareness. Wealthy people, she said, move quickly, act decisively and aim at bigger problems.

"Too small," she said her mentors often tell her when she's thinking too narrowly.

Takeaway: Start solving bigger problems and stop wasting time second-guessing every small decision.

2. Own Boring Businesses That Generate Wealth

This is Codie Sanchez's signature hot take, and it's the foundation of her entire wealth strategy.

Forget flashy startups or the next big app. Sanchez built her fortune by acquiring what she calls "boring" businesses, including laundromats, vending machine routes, car washes and other everyday operations that most investors overlook.

In her book "Main Street Millionaire," she broke down how these unsexy, often ignored businesses can become cash-flow machines when managed strategically. She even coined the term "SOWS," which is short for "Stale. Old. Weak. Simple." The acronym refers to companies with simple operations, steady cash flow and low competition.

These businesses might not make headlines, but they often come with huge upside, especially when bought from retiring owners and improved with better systems.

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Takeaway: You don't need to chase unicorns to build wealth. Sometimes the smartest move is owning the boring business no one else wants.

3. Use Your 9-to-5 for Startup Capital

Codie Sanchez didn't quit her job to chase a vague dream. Instead, she moved strategically. After leaving journalism, a career that offered her limited earning potential, she transitioned into finance where she had more financial upside. Then she used that income to fund her own ventures.

"I made my first multiple millions of dollars working for other people," she told Kamel. "I kept my salary for as long as I humanly could, and I built on the side."

Her approach wasn't about playing it safe; it was about building leverage. She used her paycheck to stack cash, test business ideas and create new income streams -- all while still on someone else's payroll.

The strategy works best if your job pays enough to give you breathing room. Sanchez made her initial millions in finance, but not everyone has that kind of runway. However, the core idea still holds: Use whatever stable income you have to not only survive, but build leverage.

Takeaway: A well-paying job isn't the enemy of entrepreneurship. It's your first investor. Use it to build capital, skills and momentum before making the leap.

4. Focus on Purpose Over Profit

Sanchez argues money alone isn't the goal; freedom and impact are.

"The goal is not just money," she said to Kamel. "The goal is money, which equals freedom, which allows you to pick your impact."

She elaborated on this perspective during an appearance on "The Mark Manson Show," saying: "Money is the ultimate equalizer. If you want to make a real difference, it's going to be very hard for you to do it without resources."

Sanchez is not against prioritizing money, but she's clear that chasing profit without purpose can lead to burnout or misery. The real win comes from solving meaningful problems and serving others.

Takeaway: Money is a tool. Use it to create freedom and purpose instead of just status.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Source: “AOL Money”