Jeff Bezos convinced his siblings to invest $10K each in his online startup called Amazon and now their stake is worth over $1B — 3 ways to get rich outside of the S&P 500

Victoria Vesovski
Jeff Bezos convinced his siblings to invest $10K each in his online startup called Amazon and now their stake is worth over $1B — 3 ways to get rich outside of the S&P 500
Jeff Bezos convinced his siblings to invest $10K each in his online startup called Amazon and now their stake is worth over $1B — 3 ways to get rich outside of the S&P 500

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Jeff Bezos' siblings, Mark and Christina, took a leap of faith by investing $10,000 each in a fledgling online book store. Their decision to purchase 30,000 shares of Amazon.com Inc. back in 1996 was a risky move.

Bezos tirelessly convinced family members, friends, and potential investors, looking for money to help bring his vision to fruition. But gaining support from investors for his then-high-risk venture wasn’t easy.

He is quoted in the book “The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon” saying: “I want you to know what the risks are because I still want to come home for Thanksgiving if this doesn’t work.”

Fast forward to today: had the Bezos siblings held onto their shares to this day, their stake in Amazon would have soared beyond the billion-dollar mark, according to a 2018 Bloomberg report.

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More recently, Bezos has sold 14 million shares of Amazon.com Inc. worth $2.4 billion, the last batch in his plan to sell 50 million shares by Jan. 31, 2025. With this latest transaction, Bezos has cashed out a total of $8.5 billion.

Whether you have $10,000 or just $100 to invest, there are multiple ways you can build wealth, that don’t include playing the stock market or getting your family on board for a risky entrepreneurial venture.

Invest in real estate

Investing in real estate is an inflation-resistant pathway to growing your wealth, but it often involves the hurdle of purchasing physical properties and the risks and responsibilities that come with being a landlord. But there are ways to invest without all those hassles and you don’t need to have millions already in the bank to do it.

For instance, Arrived* is an online platform, backed by world-class investors including Jeff Bezos himself, where everyday investors can invest in shares of rental homes and vacation properties allowing you to get your foot into the real estate market, without taking on the responsibilities of a landlord.

Arrived allows you to browse through their curated selection of homes, each vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, you can choose the number of shares you want to buy and start investing with as little as $100.*

With First National Realty Partners (FNRP),* accredited investors have access to institutional quality, grocery-anchored commercial real estate investments. FNRP's team of experts will guide you through every phase of the investment process, so you can rest assured that these necessity-based properties are resilient against economic fluctuations.

To get started, fill in some information about yourself, your income and investment goals, and you can start enjoying your quarterly distributions.*

Read more: Generating 'passive income' through real estate is the biggest myth in investing — here’s how you can do it in as little as 5 minutes

Hedge with alternative assets

Alternative assets are appealing because they typically show resilience to economic ups and downs when compared to the stock market. But how do you choose which ones to invest in?

With Fundrise* you have access to an expansive portfolio of alternative investment opportunities spanning real estate, private debt, and venture capital. With over two million investors and managing over $7 billion in real estate assets alone, Fundrise is an accessible way to diversify your portfolio with the potential of yielding dividends every quarter.

To get started,* all you have to do is share some details about your personal and financial background, along with your investment preference, and Fundrise will recommend a portfolio aligned with your goals.

Invest today for the future you want

Though many of the early ‘90s internet companies didn’t survive, Amazon continues to thrive in the evolving digital landscape, owing much to Bezos’ entrepreneurial spirit and smart financial decision-making skills. Setting yourself up for a bright future, especially when it comes to your retirement, depends on careful planning and the investing choices you make today.

By opening a Gold IRA with American Hartford Gold,* you can securely purchase precious metals, making it easy to own gold or silver.

Investing in precious metals, within an IRA, you can take advantage of the tax benefits of this retirement account. When you join American Hartford Gold, you’re eligible to get up to $10,000 in complimentary silver and a free investor guide* that can help in both the protection and growth of your wealth.

If you’re unsure where to start investing to create and sustain growth for your wealth consider speaking to a licensed financial advisor. Zoe Financial* is an online platform that matches you with vetted financial advisors based on your unique needs.

To get started, simply answer a few questions* about your financial situation and goals, and Zoe Financial will match you with a range of qualified experts you could reach out to for a free no-obligation consultation.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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