We talk a lot about investing in money. But some of the most powerful investments
have nothing to do with stocks or real estate.
They have everything to do with ownership.
Because when you don’t own the source of your income, you’re always at the mercy of someone else’s belief in you.
Today’s story isn’t a celebrity flex. It’s a power shift story.
It’s about what happens when a woman decides to stop asking for permission and start owning her value.
Why This Story Matters?
Ciara’s story belongs in this season because it shows us a different kind of investing.
Not louder.
Not flashier.
But more strategic.
She shows us that:
- You can invest by owning the source of your income
- You don’t need approval to become the CEO of your life
- Intellectual property is one of the most powerful assets on earth
And once you see it… you can’t unsee it.
The Moment of Awakening
Ciara was already successful. Albums sold. Awards won. Global recognition.
But during a meeting with a major label, something shifted.
She presented the vision for her song Level Up — and the response was discouraging.
They didn’t see it. They didn’t believe in it.
And in that moment, instead of shrinking,
Ciara had a realization:
If they don’t see the vision, maybe it’s not theirs to own.
She asked herself one question — a question that would become an investment thesis:
“Why not you?”
Why not you owning the work?
Why not you funding the vision?
Why not you calling the shots?
This is the question that separates employees from owners. Talent from equity holders. Women who wait from women who build.
Investing in Ownership, Not Approval
In 2017, Ciara founded her own company:
Beauty Marks Entertainment.
This wasn’t just a label. It was a declaration.
She took back control of her masters.
She became the owner of her catalog — not just the talent being paid off it.
And here’s the wealth lesson most people miss:
📌Owning the asset beats being paid by the asset.
When you own the source, you don’t just earn once — you earn again, and again, and again.
This is the difference between:
- A paycheck and royalties
- A salary and equity
- Being featured and being the founder
Ciara didn’t just want to be in the room. She wanted to own the building.
Using Her Own Capital
Ciara didn’t wait for a label to fund her vision.
She financed her music independently.
She released Level Up without label backing.
And what happened?
The song went nearly four times platinum.
That’s not luck. That’s conviction.
📌 Investment lesson:
Sometimes the highest return on investment comes when you’re willing to back yourself.
Self-funding isn’t just financial — it’s psychological.
It changes how you move.
How you decide.
How you negotiate.
When you fund your own vision, no one can take it from you.
No one can veto your next move.
No one controls your timeline.
That’s power.
Diversifying Like a Portfolio Manager
Ciara didn’t stop at music. She thought like an investor — not a performer.
She diversified her empire across industries:
- Skincare: OAM — On A Mission
- Fashion: House of LR&C, carried by Nordstrom and Revolve
- Alcohol: Equity ownership in Ten To One Rum
- Publishing & Philanthropy
- Board seats and long-term influence
This is not random expansion. This is portfolio construction.
📌 Investment lesson:
True wealth isn’t built on one hit. It’s built on multiple pillars.
Ciara understood what wealthy families have known for generations:
Never let your income depend on one source.
Diversification isn’t just smart. It’s survival strategy.
And for women especially — who are more likely to face pay gaps, career disruptions, and systemic barriers — building multiple income streams isn’t optional.
It’s essential.
Investing in Her Mind
Ciara also understood something critical:
Ownership without knowledge is fragile.
So, she invested in her education.
She completed Harvard Business School’s Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports program.
Long before manifestation was trendy, she was writing down her goals as a teenager —
and executing them as an adult.
📌Investment lesson:
Education plus belief creates compound returns.
What you feed your mind shapes what you’re able to own.
And here’s what’s so powerful about this:
Ciara didn’t just rely on intuition or raw talent. She backed it up with business literacy.
She learned:
- How deals are structured
- How IP works
- How to negotiate equity
- How to read a contract like a CEO
Because you can’t protect what you don’t understand. And you can’t scale what you can’t articulate.
Knowledge is leverage.
The Wealth Reframe
Ciara’s story shows us that investing differently sometimes means walking away from structures that were never designed for you to win long-term.
It means choosing:
- Ownership over applause
- Equity over exposure
- Vision over validation
She didn’t disappear from the industry — she repositioned herself inside it.
As an owner.
And that repositioning?
That’s where generational wealth begins.
Because once you own the asset, it works for you.
It appreciates.
It transfers. Your children inherit equity — not just memories of your hard work
Reflection for You
So, here’s the question I want you to sit with:
Where in your life are you renting your power instead of owning it?
- Your time
- Your ideas
- Your creativity
- Your expertise
What would change if you stopped waiting for approval and started structuring ownership?
What if you stopped asking:
“Will they let me?”
And started asking:
“Why not me?”
What’s one thing you could own — fully — in the next 90 days?
- Your client list
- Your course content
- Your brand name
- Your IP
- Your time
What would it take to stop being the talent and become the owner of the enterprise?
Closing
Ciara didn’t just level up her career. She leveled up her position.
She reminds us that wealth isn’t just about how much you earn — it’s about how much you own.
And sometimes, the most powerful investment you can make is the decision to believe that you are allowed to be in control.
Not someday.
Not when you’re “ready.”
Now.
In the next episode, we’ll explore another story of unconventional investing — and another way wealth quietly changes hands behind the scenes.
Until then, remember:
Think like a wealthy woman.
And ask yourself…
Why not you?
Salima
Just me thinking out loud over