The Wealth Stack: How to Build Real Wealth Beyond the Stock Market (Replay)

If you have a net worth between $1M and $5M, you might feel like you've made it. But the truth? You're stuck.

You're "little rich," but not "big rich." And the hardest leap in wealth building isn’t from $20M to $30M—it’s from $1M to $20M.

Last week, I hosted my first-ever LinkedIn Live to talk about exactly that: how to break through the wealth plateau using strategies that ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) have been using for decades. If you missed it, here’s a quick recap (or you can watch the replay!).

The Problem: Traditional Investing Isn’t Enough

For decades, financial advisors have told us to:

• Save 10–20% of your income
• Invest in index funds
• Diversify across stocks and bonds
• Hold long-term and let compound interest do the work

Here’s the problem: they’re wrong.

Yes, the stock market averages a 10% return, but when you factor in volatility, what you’re actually getting is closer to 7%. And if you're relying on public markets alone, that slow grind makes it nearly impossible to bridge the gap from “comfortable” to “wealthy.”

How the Ultra-Wealthy Invest Differently

UHNWIs don’t invest like the average millionaire.

They invest like this:

• 54% of their portfolio is in private equity and private real estate
• Only 21% is in public stocks

(Shoutout to Tiger 21 for this data.)

The wealthiest investors don’t just let the market dictate their returns—they take an active role in finding opportunities with higher returns and lower volatility.

I realized this firsthand. I’ve been acquiring companies since 2006, focusing on getting consistent, solid returns (aka “base hits,” not home runs). But for years, I was investing my profits the slow way—by parking most of it in the stock market.

Then in 2019, I made a shift.

I started aggressively building my Wealth Stack—a portfolio of diversified private investments designed to accelerate wealth faster than the traditional approach. And the results have been undeniable.

The 3 Steps to Building Your Wealth Stack

If you want to move beyond the traditional investing model and actually scale your net worth, here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Understand That UHNWIs Had an Advantage—But That’s Changing

For years, the best private investment opportunities were only available to a select few. But thanks to regulatory changes (like the JOBS Act), everyday accredited investors can now access these deals.

Private equity, private credit, and institutional-grade real estate used to be closed doors. Now they’re opening. And if you’re not looking at these asset classes, you’re missing out.

Step 2: Take Control of Your Wealth-Building Journey

Where do you see yourself in 5–10 years?

If your current investment strategy isn’t getting you there, you need to make a change.

• Diversify beyond the stock market
• Adopt a disciplined approach to private investments
• Don’t go all-in on one deal—build a portfolio of 12–24 investments over time

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing since 2019, and it’s completely changed the trajectory of my wealth-building journey.

Step 3: Start a Relationship with People Who Provide Access

Here’s the truth: private investments are about access.

The best deals don’t show up in your Schwab account. They come from being in the right rooms, knowing the right operators, and having a network that lets you invest in opportunities before the rest of the world sees them.

That’s exactly why I started Build Wealth—to take the network and experience I’ve built and open it up to other accredited investors who want to invest alongside me.

What’s Next?

If this approach resonates with you, there are a few ways we can connect:

?? Sign up for my acquisition entrepreneurship newsletter at wallkerdeibel.com

?? Get on a call with my team – Go to buildwealth.com and see if investing alongside us is a fit for you.

?? Text Mike Brown (my investor relations lead) at (617) 594-0908 if you want to discuss your goals or upcoming deals.

This is just the beginning. We’re seeing a massive shift in how wealth is built, and my goal is to help more people take advantage of it. Let’s go.

– Walker