Nick Sleep’s quote, “The best investors are not investors at all. They are entrepreneurs who have never sold,” holds a profound truth. It flips the script on how we often view investing. Many think investing is about timing markets, buying low, and selling high. But Sleep reminds us that the most successful investors treat their investments as if they were their own businesses.

When you buy a stock, you’re not just buying a ticker symbol or a temporary asset. You’re becoming a part-owner of a business. A business with employees, customers, and a vision for growth. Entrepreneurs know this deeply. They don’t wake up every morning looking to sell their company. Instead, they focus on building it, nurturing it, and weathering storms to create long-term value.

This mindset is crucial for investors. Yet, many fail to embrace it. They treat stocks like trading cards, flipping them at the slightest market tremor. This short-term behavior often leads to missed opportunities. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, take the long view. They believe in their business, stay through the ups and downs, and build something meaningful.

Imagine if Jeff Bezos sold Amazon during its early struggles. Or if Warren Buffett liquidated Berkshire Hathaway’s holdings during a market downturn Or if Mark Zuckerberg sold his stock when the Meta stock plunged 26% in one day ($250 billion – more than the entire value of Reliance Industries). Their success wasn’t because they timed the market. It was because they stayed invested, trusted their vision, and allowed time to do its magic.

The best investors don’t just buy businesses—they own them with conviction. They understand that the real value of an investment lies in the compounding of its growth over decades. Selling too soon interrupts that process.

As an investor, ask yourself: Are you treating your portfolio like an entrepreneur treats their business? Are you thinking long-term? Or are you getting distracted by short-term noise? The secret isn’t in knowing when to sell. It’s in having the discipline not to. Be an owner, not just an investor. That’s where the real wealth lies.