Minority-Owned Business Aims to Bridge the Wealth Inequality Gap
Secure Living CEO, Vontenea Stokes
Charlotte, NC – There’s a power shift taking place in the investment industry, and this Charlotte-based start-up is helping pave the way. Secure Living, a newly registered company with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and member of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) is addressing investing disparities head-on.
Since 2016 retail investors, also known as non-accredited investors, have invested in start-ups and small businesses through regulation crowdfunding under Title III of the Jobs Act. Despite this industry shift, there’s still a lack of knowledge and opportunities for retail investors. According to a study done by Statista, only 29% of Americans are using crowdfunding services or plan to in the future.
Secure Living views crowdfunding as a means to provide alternative funding and investment opportunities to underserved and overlooked communities. They are bridging the wealth inequality gap by providing an online marketplace for the average investor to invest in shares of real estate.
Real estate is known to build wealth, but the process of accessing capital, securing a property, doing renovations, finding good tenants, and maintaining a property is not for the faint of heart. Traditionally, retail investors have gravitated towards stocks and bonds, but Secure Living aims to add real estate to the list of easily accessible securities.
Just knowing about real estate crowdfunding securities is not enough. Understanding how investing can influence personal finance is crucial for establishing a solid financial foundation. The average household earns most of their income from W-2 employment, and although there’s nothing wrong with this type of income, it does put individual households at a slight disadvantage. One obvious disadvantage is in the tax code. According to bankrate.com, single taxpayers earning $10,276 to $41,775 a year fall into the 12% tax bracket. This is in stark contrast to the long-term capital gains tax which is 0% for single taxpayers earning less than $41,675.
So why doesn’t the average household shift their income and focus on earning money from investments? Until recent years that was easier said than done, “We’ve seen a major shift in the securities industry and retail investors are not only empowered but are influencing the market – just look at the notorious 2021 AMC example” says Secure Living CEO, Vontenea Stokes.
Secure Living’s online crowdfunding platform allows retail investors to diversify their earnings and explore real estate projects. With the click of a button, users can browse the real estate marketplace and determine which real estate security offering fits their investment strategy and risk tolerance. Secure Living provides a unique investment opportunity by enabling retail investors to invest in real estate for as little as $250 per share. To learn more about their services, visit www.securelivingrei.com.
Source: Secure Living