Interactive Research Report — February 2026 — v1

The 2026
Wealth & Ownership Report

High-earning professionals reveal the gap between wealth aspirations and ownership action

POWERED BY GRAVY WEALTH

Overview — The Cohort

Who Took This Survey

These are educated, credentialed professionals earning well above the national average.

83%
Advanced Degrees
59%
Female
65%
Plan to Move Within 1 Year

Age Distribution

Hover over chart to see percentages

Education Level

Hover over chart to see percentages

Work Situation

Hover over chart to see percentages

Net Worth Distribution

Hover over chart to see percentages

66% Have Diversified Beyond W2

Only 34% are W2-only. The rest have already begun diversifying: 22% are full-time owners, 19% have W2 plus side income, and 16% own businesses alongside employment.

01 — Wealth Priorities

What They Want to Pursue

When asked about their wealth-building interests, these are the top priorities.

View by Income Range

Click a range to view segment-specific data

02 — Current Activity

What They're Actually Doing

Interest is high. But action tells a different story.

48% Are Accredited Investors

Nearly half of respondents meet accredited investor criteria, giving them access to private market opportunities. However, 39% are not accredited, and 13% aren't sure of their status.

03 — Intent vs Action

The Execution Gap

The disconnect between aspiration and execution is stark.

What They're Interested In

Build passive income 51%
Increase income 51%
Generational wealth 35%
Start a business 23%

What They're Actively Pursuing

Traditional investing only 25%
Advisory/fractional 21%
Acquire a business 17%
Real estate portfolio 15%
04 — Barriers

What's Holding Them Back

The primary obstacles to making an ownership move.

Compare Barriers

57% Cite Replacement Income as Primary Barrier

More than half say their primary obstacle to making an ownership move is replacing their current W2 income. Maintaining lifestyle during transition remains the central challenge.

Capital Ready to Deploy

38%
Less than
$25K
29%
$25K -
$50K
15%
$50K -
$100K
6%
$100K -
$250K
11%
Over
$250K

What They Need

More capital
25%
More clarity
22%
More consistency
18%

Satisfaction with Wealth-Building Progress

Hover over chart to see percentages

05 — Timeline

When They Plan to Make Their Move

65% plan to make a significant ownership or career move within the next year.

Timeline to Ownership Move

Hover over chart to see percentages

Two-Thirds Are In Motion

39% say the shift is already happening, and another 26% plan to move within 1 year. The shift from W2 to ownership is already underway.

06 — AI Adoption

How They're Using AI

Nearly universal adoption with focus on productivity and opportunity.

Compare by Gender

All Respondents
Female vs Male

Top Macroeconomic Concerns

AI / automation
55%
Recession concerns
46%
Geopolitical risk
39%
Interest rates
30%
Inflation
30%
07 — Your Next Move

Ready to Bridge the Execution Gap?

This report revealed the gap between aspiration and action. Here's how to close it.

Accelerate

Join the Ownership Sprint

A focused 1-week accelerator where you stop consuming and start building your ownership strategy. Rated 4.8/5 by alumni. 100% would recommend.

Learn About the Sprint →
Go Deeper

Book an Owner Mode Expert

Get 1:1 time with ownership experts to deep dive on your specific strategy. From acquisitions to real estate to advisory roles.

Browse Experts →
Free

Find Your Ownership DNA

Not sure which ownership pathway fits you best? Take the free assessment to identify your best-fit pathway based on your skills, capital, and risk profile.

Take the Assessment →
For Accredited Investors

Join the Investment Syndicate

Access exclusive private market investment opportunities typically reserved for institutions alongside mission-aligned leaders.

Learn More →

The Gap Between Aspiration and Action

This report showed that 51% want to build passive income, but only 25% are actively pursuing traditional investing. 57% cite replacement income as their primary barrier. The professionals who move first—with the right infrastructure, guidance, and community—will have the biggest advantage.

Gravy Wealth

Methodology & Research Context

Survey Period: December 2025 - January 2026

Sample Size: 95 participants (Wave 1)

What Makes This Research Unique: This study captures insights from a predominantly Black/African American (85%) cohort of high-earning professionals, offering perspectives often missing from traditional wealth and ownership research. The sample includes 59% female respondents, 83% with advanced degrees, and spans diverse income levels from under $100K to $2M+.

Interactive Elements: Throughout the report, use the embedded toggles, tabs, and controls to compare different segments and uncover meaningful insights.