Lessons from TinTin: An Unquenchable Thirst for Adventure

Growing up in Vancouver, I was a nerdy bookworm with a love for comics and anime. One of the many comic series I read was TinTin, a Belgian comic series about the adventures of a journalist and his white dog Snowy. 

He travels all around the world, solving historical mysteries, experiencing adventure in some of the world’s most exotic places. I’d almost forgotten how obsessed I was as a kid with TinTin until I chanced upon the recent animated movie on a flight. 

It’s interesting about the little things that affect you when growing up. How the ideas and glamor of a comic book could change the trajectory of your life. I think about all the fun and exotic places I’ve traveled to around the world and all the future places I’m scheduled to be going to soon. All of this started from the kernel of an idea and my own imagination as an impressionable young child. 

The little acorn of an idea that has turned into a big oak tree funded by experiences and resources I never thought I’d have when I was growing up. Now I travel the world, exploring new tech ecosystems, meeting extraordinary people, speaking at big conferences and investing in tech startups all around the world. Places I’ve thought exotic once before now seem commonplace and normal. 

This also explains my deep fascination with international business and the emerging markets. It’s why I find people like Jim Rogers, John Templeton, Mark Möbius, Doug Casey, Swen Lorenz & Tim Staermose so interesting. They are the investors, speculators, wanderers and modern day adventurers. Actually I’d say modern day explorers: chasing the best deals by going where no other investors and business people dare to go. They are the models for my business life. 

For anyone looking to mix business and global adventure, you don’t have to look very far for people to follow. And many of these inspirations come from the most unexpected places at unexpected times. 

So go explore and pursue all your interests, and encourage your kids to do the same. You never know where you all will end up. Hopefully somewhere personally amazing and magical.