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Business/finance Updated August 20, 2025

Codie Sanchez

Codie Sanchez is an investor and entrepreneur who advocates for acquiring and operating small businesses. She is known for teaching others how to build wealth through business ownership.

Born

April 12, 1988

Known For

  • Entrepreneurship education
  • Business acquisition strategies
  • Financial literacy advocacy

Social Media

Notable Facts

Career Highlights

Background

Codie Sanchez holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Spanish from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University. Her early career included roles in journalism, working for outlets such as the Associated Press and CNBC, where she reported on finance and emerging markets. She transitioned into the world of finance, working in private equity and venture capital at firms like Goldman Sachs and Cresco Labs, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and investments in the cannabis industry.

Major Contributions

Sanchez is the founder of Contrarian Thinking, a media and education company focused on alternative investments and entrepreneurship, particularly in "boring" or overlooked businesses. She is also the managing partner of Contrarian Capital, which acquires and operates small, cash-flowing businesses. A significant contribution is her popularization of the "S.W.I.P.E." file framework, a due diligence system for evaluating potential business acquisitions. She did not invent new technologies but has built companies and platforms that democratize access to investment education and acquisition strategies previously reserved for institutional players.

Impact on their Field

Sanchez has impacted the fields of entrepreneurship and investing by shifting focus toward cash-flowing, essential service businesses as a viable path to wealth creation outside of traditional startups or public markets. Her work through Contrarian Thinking has educated a large audience on the practicalities of business acquisition and operational improvement. She has influenced a movement towards "acquiring, not starting" businesses, encouraging a new generation of entrepreneurs to consider buying existing enterprises as a lower-risk alternative to launching new ventures from scratch.

Current Work/Relevance

Her current work remains centered on Contrarian Thinking, which produces a significant volume of digital content including newsletters, podcasts, and online courses. She continues to be an active investor and operator through her investment fund, acquiring and managing a portfolio of small businesses. She is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and investment panels, maintaining a high profile as an advocate for financial literacy and non-traditional paths to building wealth.

Personal Story

Codie Sanchez is an investor, entrepreneur, and media personality who has built a career around empowering everyday people to build wealth. Her background is a unique blend of high finance and gritty, on-the-ground business. She started her career as a journalist before moving into the world of private equity and venture capital, working with multi-billion dollar funds. This experience gave her a behind-the-scenes look at how the wealthy build and protect their money, knowledge she now works to democratize.

Why they matter

Her key achievements lie in translating complex financial concepts into actionable strategies. She is the founder of Contrarian Thinking, a media and education company, and Contrarian Capital, which acquires and operates "boring" small businesses. She has successfully purchased numerous established, cash-flowing businesses, proving her strategies work in the real world. Furthermore, she has built a massive online community, amassing millions of followers who engage with her straightforward financial advice.

What they’re known for

Codie Sanchez is best known for her popular work advocating for "boring businesses" and financial independence. Her message resonates because it’s practical and counter to get-rich-quick schemes. She is a prolific content creator across major platforms.
  • Her passionate advocacy for acquiring established, "unsexy" small businesses like laundromats, car washes, and marketing agencies.
  • A massive social media presence where she shares free, high-value educational content on investing and entrepreneurship.
  • Her newsletter and podcast, both named "Contrarian Thinking," which break down investment strategies and interview successful founders.
  • The mantra "Own Your Own Cashflow" which encapsulates her entire philosophy of building wealth through acquiring assets.