Nick Sleep’s words carry deep wisdom. “The best investors are not investors at all. They are entrepreneurs who have never sold.” This statement is both profound and counterintuitive. Most people think investing is about buying and selling, but Sleep’s point reveals something greater.

True investors think like entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs build businesses with a long-term vision. They don’t aim for quick profits. They focus on creating something valuable that will grow over time. This mindset is essential for great investors. It’s about owning a piece of a business, not just a stock.

The best investors don’t get caught up in market movements. They see their investments as ownership in real companies, with real futures. They think like business owners. When you own a business, you don’t sell just because the market has a bad day, week, or month. You stay focused on the long-term value.

The key is to have conviction. Great investors know that building wealth takes time. They aren’t distracted by short-term noise. They are patient, just like entrepreneurs who focus on the growth of their businesses over years and decades. When you hold an asset for the long term, you benefit from the compounding effect of growth and reinvested profits.

Many people think of investing as trading. Buy low, sell high. But the best investors rarely sell. They buy quality businesses, hold them for the long haul, and let time work its magic. It’s a simple approach, but it requires a shift in mindset.

To be successful in investing, think like an entrepreneur. Invest in a diversified portfolio of great companies and allow them to grow. You might even want to call yourself an industrialist. Avoid the temptation to sell based on market fluctuations. Instead, stay focused on long-term value.

Nick Sleep’s advice reminds us that investing is about ownership. Entrepreneurs build wealth by creating, nurturing, and holding. Investors can do the same by thinking like entrepreneurs who never sell.