Shoes Fade. Shares Compound.
Back in high school, I worked at Mr. Alan’s — one of the hottest shoe and clothing spots in the city at the time. Early 2000s. We had it all: Girbaud, Akademiks, Lot 29. But what’s a dope outfit without the kicks to match?
Since we usually got the latest Nike and Jordan drops, you can imagine the lines on a Saturday morning. Folks (myself included) were running through money just to keep up with the Joneses. On average, a new pair would cost anywhere from $120–$150 back then. Fast-forward to today with inflation, and those same styles run $160–$200 — and people are still lining up.
Consumption vs. Ownership
Looking back, one thing became clear: I could’ve used those same dollars to make money instead of spending on something that lost value the moment I walked out the store. Sure, a few pairs are “grails” that appreciate because of rarity or hype. But most? They crease up, wear down, and end up worth nothing.
Meanwhile, Nike and Jordan keep “coming up.” They create the product, mark up the price, and sell to the masses. They profit — while we just consume. But what if you got a little piece of that, too?
Shoes Path vs. Shares Path
Let’s put numbers on it.
👟 The Sneaker Path
Average pair: $135
1 pair/month × 60 months = 60 pairs
Total spent: $8,100
Value after 5 years: a closet full of worn sneakers.
📈 The Shareholder Path
Instead of shoes, buy 2 shares of Nike each month.
2 shares/month × 60 months = 120 shares
Average buy price ≈ $80/share
Total invested: $9,600
Current value: ≈ $8,800 (with dividends reinvested).
Even in a rough 5-year stretch for Nike stock, your investment is still working for you. Those shares continue paying dividends and still have the potential to grow over the next 10, 20, or 30 years.
The Power of Compounding 🌱
This is where it gets real. Stocks compound; sneakers don’t.
Reinvest your dividends, hold for decades, and your money multiplies. A dip in the short term becomes exponential growth in the long term.
$100 invested in Nike 20 years ago? Today it’s worth over $1,000. That’s compounding.
Shoes depreciate. Stocks appreciate.
Shifting the Mindset
This isn’t about never buying sneakers. I still pick up a few pairs that mean something to me personally. But imagine this: instead of grabbing 2 or 3 pairs every month, what if you copped 1 pair and a share?
That’s how you start building balance. You still enjoy the culture — but you also build wealth that benefits your future self, your kids, and their kids.
Generational wealth doesn’t come from closets stacked with sneakers. It comes from creating instruments that keep multiplying long after the compliments stop.
The Urban Profit Lesson 💡
At the end of the day, we all have to work. But think about it: if a company can pay you 5 or 6 figures, what do you think the owner is taking home?
Ownership is always more attractive than consumption.
So next time you line up for a release, ask yourself:
👉 Do I want to just wear the brand, or do I want to own the brand?
Stop just wearing the brand. Start owning the brand.
