In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down what it really takes to build wealth in the stock market and why time may be the single biggest advantage an investor can have.

We talk about the difference between building wealth through broad market index funds like the S&P 500 versus investing in individual companies with the potential for outsized growth. While index investing can be an incredibly powerful long-term strategy, we also discuss why many of the wealthiest investors eventually build meaningful positions in individual businesses they believe can drive the next generation of progress.

I also walk through the three biggest things I personally look for when evaluating a company: a strong competitive moat, consistent revenue growth, and improving profit margins. These are some of the factors that can help separate a great story from a company that may actually have the fundamentals to compound over time.

From there, we get into what is happening in the markets right now, including the latest jobs report, Treasury yields, Bitcoin, interest rates, and expectations surrounding the Federal Reserve. We also discuss an important misconception: lower interest rates do not automatically mean the stock market or economy is in trouble.

Ultimately, successful investing does not need to be overly complicated. Understand what you own, focus on long-term trends, stay disciplined through volatility, and give your investments enough time to work.

Invest early. Invest often. And always understand where your money is going.