The Power of Equity: Why Ownership Beats a Paycheck

When Getting Paid Isn't the Point

In 2007, David Beckham left European soccer glory to join the LA Galaxy. The headlines were about his salary, but the real magic was a clause most people ignored: the right to buy an MLS expansion team for about $25 million. Years later, he exercised that option and became a co‑owner of Inter Miami, now valued in the hundreds of millions and projected into the billion‑dollar range. His salary made him rich. His equity made him wealthy.

A similar story played out in Silicon Valley. Graffiti artist David Choe was hired to paint murals in Facebook's early offices and was offered a choice: cash in the thousands, or company stock worth about the same. He thought Facebook was "ridiculous and pointless," but chose the equity. When Facebook went public, that stake reportedly became worth around $200 million. Same work, one different decision, wildly different outcome.

What This Has To Do With You

You may never negotiate a sports contract or get paid in pre‑IPO stock, but the principle is the same: every day, you choose between "get paid now" and "build equity for later."

"Get paid now" can look like always chasing the highest salary, cashing out investments at the first sign of volatility, or spending every raise on lifestyle upgrades. Thinking like an owner means building equity in a business or side hustle, buying assets that can appreciate or produce income, and choosing financial tools that protect your downside while giving your dollars room to grow.

Your Wealth Wednesday Challenge

This week, treat your finances like you're negotiating your own Beckham clause or Choe mural deal. Over the next 12 months, what is one concrete step you can take to shift from just getting paid to also building equity—paying down bad debt, increasing investments, starting a side business, or exploring strategies that build long‑term cash value?

One decision doesn't have to be flashy to be life‑changing. Ten years from now, will you be glad you took the quick cash—or glad you chose to own something with the power to grow?