When the Obstacle Becomes the Way Over my career as an internet investor, I’ve learned a lot of lessons. My journey began against the backdrop of the dot-com boom and continued through the rise of e-commerce down to the current emergence (and hysteria) over AI. I’m grateful for a career that has always allowed me to be in the mix of the action. But though I am fascinated by the intersection of business and the latest technology, I draw upon some very old-school philosophies in the way I look at business and its role in the world. Those who know me well have heard me reference Enlightenment philosophers like Hume and Descartes. But today I want to discuss the thoughts of a philosopher from over two thousand years ago - Marcus Aurelius. In his work Meditations, the Roman Emperor and stoic philosopher’s most famous work, he gave the world this quote: “The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances actions. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Obstacles come in many forms. They can be found in logistics in the form of regulations that present barriers to efficient international commerce. And, perhaps more subtly, they can be like an iceberg we can only see the tip of at first glance. Slowly we begin to realize how massive they really are. That’s what AI represents to the global economy right now. No, we’re not on the Titanic. I’m saying we are now just seeing how big a shift AI represents. Recognizing Obstacles As Opportunities I am very fortunate. My career has been a literal navigation of the ever-evolving global marketplace. My partners and I have identified and built companies based on the obstacles. That approach defines why I founded MyMalls, an e-commerce delivery service for fashion and electronics with a major market presence in the Caribbean and Latin America. The ‘obstacle’, in this case, was a rule requiring a mailing address in the US or Canada in order to complete certain online purchases. So we partnered with companies like DHL to provide the address and space to receive the goods, which could then be further shipped to locations that were formerly shut out.
So the obstacle, just like Marcus Aurelius said, became the way to build a successful business. His words were written at a time of political turmoil in ancient Rome. But his ideas are certainly not out of date, even in the age of AI. Artificial intelligence, as I see it, can be a transformative opportunity for building dynamic new partnerships. Where Trade and Tech Intersect AI is already proving to be a powerful partner in managing correspondence and handling organizational tasks. But I am encouraging investors to consider the emerging long potential of AI in shaping industries and creating brand new opportunities. Aurelius’ emphasis on the power of the mind to convert obstacles into opportunities aligns seamlessly with my approach to investment and consulting. Through focusing on informed decision-making and a collaborative approach to navigating challenges, businesses in any industry can apply this ‘obstacle-into-opportunity’ perspective and find success.