116: You're probably ALREADY an Accredited Investor (here's how to check and what you can access)

Did you know that you might already qualify as an accredited investor—but no one ever told you what that actually means or how to take advantage of it?

I used to think that growing wealth meant sticking to index funds and stock options. But once I discovered how Rule 506(b) and Rule 506(c) work, it unlocked a completely different financial world. A world filled with exclusive investment opportunities—private equity, hedge funds, commercial real estate syndications, and high-yield alternative assets—that most people never get to see.

In this walkthrough, I break down the key differences between 506(b) and 506(c). I explain how each rule affects your access to unregistered securities, what kind of documentation is required, and how to verify your status with minimal friction—whether through tax returns or a simple letter from your CPA or attorney.

Being accredited isn’t just a legal status. It’s a gateway to strategic wealth building. I learned this firsthand after an IPO left most of my net worth tied to one volatile stock. I started diversifying into private investments that generated consistent, tax-advantaged income—independent of the stock market’s daily swings.

But access alone doesn’t guarantee results. That’s why I also share the risks: limited liquidity, less regulation, and the importance of having a clear allocation strategy. I talk about what separates successful accredited investors from those who just have access. Hint: it’s not complexity—it’s clarity, structure, and education.

I also go a step further and explore the next level: becoming a qualified purchaser with $5 million+ in investable assets, and how that changes the game entirely. This knowledge helped me design my micro family office, plan for the next 10 years, and shift from just making money to actually managing and growing it.

If you're a high-earning tech professional or entrepreneur, this is exactly the kind of financial architecture you need to build. Because accredited investing is just one piece of a much bigger strategy—one that treats your portfolio like a business and puts your wealth to work.