Even while walking on the street, Carney Mak thinks of how businesses make money. Where do minimarts earn margins? What about shopping mall kiosks that sell phone screen protectors? How can seemingly laid-back auto workshops survive? Why haven't travel agencies died out? His answer: minimarts resell or franchise products and earn side revenue as parcel pickup points; kiosks bundle ultra-cheap bulk products with a service at a premium; car workshops export vehicles to neighbouring markets; and travel agents have pivoted to concierge services.
"I try to understand the business model of everything I see. There are such creative methods of staying afloat," says Mak, 36, who started his career in banking sales and segued into fintech payments before taking up the mantle of blockchain advocate. He's now a partner at multi-family office FXHB Asset Management and leads strategy for digital asset exchange Tokenize Xchange.
Consistent with his curiosity in business, Mak first made money flipping PlayStations for profit while in polytechnic, then leveraged a finance degree to hone his understanding of economics and a post at an investment bank to develop skills in dissecting companies and divining the next big thing.
So in 2016, when a small bet on Ethereum opened his eyes to the disruptive potential of blockchain, he made FXHB a first mover in digital assets among industry peers.
Esta historia es de la edición September 2024 de Prestige Singapore.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 2024 de Prestige Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
GLAMOUR AND BEYOND
PRESTIGE'S BEYOND THE HORIZON BALL PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS.
RACING BULL
Lamborghini's breakthrough plug-in hybrid, the Revuelto, might be the supercar it needs to pull ahead in the electrification space race.
SYMPHONY OF THE SENSES
Prestige sits down with world-class pianist and Rolex Testimonee HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD as she shares her journey through sound and silence.
Tapestry of the Heart
Jaipur Rugs, which recently launched in Singapore, is one of India's largest manufacturers of hand-knotted rugs. Its secret commitment to a social mission of equality and empathy.
FJORDS, FREEDOM AND FINE FOOD
Oceania Cruises' Riviera will make its debut voyage to Alaska in 2025, bringing guests deep into the wilderness of America's northernmost state while delivering The Finest Cuisine at Sea.
LESSONS FROM THE LONG ROAD
An extended cruise from Vancouver to Tokyo proves that to go further and deeper, you sometimes have to slow down.
Checks and Balance
Louis Vuitton's latest fine jewellery range, Le Damier de Louis Vuitton, is inspired by the house's Damier check. Artistic director for watches and jewellery FRANCESCA AMFITHEATROF takes us through the process.
IN DAZZLING FORM
Powered by a new movement, the Asia Pacific exclusive editions of the Round Skeleton Baguette 31 editions by Franck Muller sparkle with baguette-cut diamonds or coloured precious gemstones.
A TIME FOR SQUARE
In October, Patek Philippe unveiled its first wholly new collection of timepieces in 25 years. Prestige Singapore was among the first in the world to see the Cubitus trio of timepieces and find out how they were created.
STILL THE ONE
With a distinctive design including an off-centre dial, outsize date and an asymmetrical layout, the Lange 1 stood out from the horological pack when it was launched in 1994. It continues to do so even today, three decades on.
