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A Voice in the System, Power in the Marketplace
By: Michael Lee-Chin
In today’s world, uncertainty is the only constant.
War, political unrest, growing wealth gaps, and volatile economies dominate the headlines. It’s easy to
feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of it all.
But for those of us fortunate enough to have a voice in the system and influence in the marketplace, the
responsibility is clear: we must use it to advocate for the change we want to see in the world.
The question becomes: What will we do with our voice and influence?
Seeing Myself in a Stranger
That question came into sharp focus for me a few years ago during a trip to my birthplace, Port Antonio,
Jamaica. One quiet morning, my wife Sonya and I were walking along the beach when we came across a
man gazing into the horizon. His name was John Shaw.
I studied John as we sat by the shore, wondering what he saw as he looked out at the horizon. Did he
see a world full of promise and opportunity? Did he feel heard and valued?
The encounter left a lasting impression on me. I could very easily have been in John Shaw’s shoes. We
were the same age, born in the same town, yet our lives were worlds apart. We learned that John was
unemployed, devoid of hope and sadly had limited prospects for the future. It struck me that our
different paths in life had nothing to do with me, I had the good fortune of being raised by parents who
set high expectations, in an environment that built confidence. I grew up in an era where I could own
and not be owned.
It was then that I made a quiet promise to myself: to use my platform to help those like John Shaw, who
have no voice in the system and no power in the marketplace.
My mother always reminded me: “Those of us who can, should.”
Igniting your Passion
That random encounter lit a fire in me to use my platform, my voice, and my access to:
- Mentor the next generation.
- Educate investors on the principles of wealth creation.
- Provide all wealth-seeking investors with unique access to quality investment opportunities
typically reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
Mentorship and Education
Setting a positive example for younger generations and inspiring them to develop a strong sense of self and purpose is deeply important to me. In the coming decades, the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history will take place, with over $30 trillion expected to pass from baby boomers to millennials and Generation X. Millennial earning power is projected to increase by nearly 75% over the next few years. Now more than ever, younger generations need a solid investment framework, that will help them not only sustain this approaching avalanche of wealth but also multiply it.
Shirtsleeves to Shirtsleeves in Three Generations
For those of us with family businesses, there’s an old adage: shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three
generations. Statistics show that:
- 70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation
- 90% of wealth is lost by the third generation.
These statistics are alarming, and they support the notion that those of us with a voice must do our part
to ensure future generations are not only prepared to sustain wealth but to multiply it.
The challenge is that as business owners, it’s often difficult to translate the behaviors that made us
successful into a teachable formula. It’s more complicated than simply “working hard” and “making
sacrifices.” It requires clarity, structure, and a guiding framework.
The good news? The same framework that created your wealth likely aligns with the Principles of
Wealth Creation I’ve applied and taught throughout my career.
The Principles of Wealth Creation
I’ve dedicated my life to educating investors globally on the core principles of wealth creation modeled
after how the wealthiest individuals in the world have built and sustained their fortunes. These are the
same principles I’ve applied throughout my 45-year career, and the same ones I’ve taught my children,
who will one day carry the baton.
Own a few high-quality businesses.
Understand these businesses thoroughly.
Ensure they operate in strong, long-term growth industries.
Use other people’s money prudently.
Hold these businesses for the long run.
Access for All
During the 2007–2008 financial crisis, I observed how my own private investments offered a layer of protection from market volatility. At the time, I looked at the typical retail investor’s portfolio and felt a deep discomfort, why did their portfolios look so different from mine? It was an aha moment for me. There was an inherent dysfunctionality in how the typical retail investor was being advised. The wealthy invest differently. It quickly became my mission, when starting my investment firm, to leverage my global network and voice in the system to provide all wealth-seeking investors with Access to high quality investment opportunities typically reserved for the world’s most wealthy and institutional investors.
Being a pioneer is never easy. Shifting perspectives and changing attitudes takes patience and education. I’ve always believed in using our voice to advocate for the change we want to see in the world. Back in 2008, democratizing wealth by providing all wealth-seeking investors with access to private investment opportunities was non-existent. But we challenged the status quo. We used our voice in the system and our power in the marketplace to advocate for change in the industry.
We worked with regulators and industry trade associations to reshape perceptions around private investing. It wasn’t quick or easy, but it was necessary. Through advocacy, education, and our collective efforts, the landscape has changed. The gap is closing. Access is open.
Final word
If there’s one thing I hope you take from this, it’s to find a purpose that fuels you and to use your voice in the system and your power in the marketplace to advocate for the change you want to see in the world. As Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” We owe it to the John Shaws of the world. And we owe it to the next generation coming up behind us.
