Dubai Field Notes: The People and Moments That Inspire My Journey

Hello everyone, I am Henry.

Today’s topic is a bit unconventional. It doesn't have a strict business theme, and I'm not even sure if it’s purely about Dubai. If I had to give it a name, I would call it a reflection on "small dreams" and persistence.

Interestingly, these distinct stories all unfolded during, or right before, my recent trip to Dubai. The more I thought about them, the more I felt compelled to gather these moments and share them with you.

The Power of Earnest Hustle: Expanding Our Footprint in New Delhi

I recently met with an Indian professional who wanted to become our partner in New Delhi. To be honest, I had initially turned him down.

We first met back in April, and I didn't think it was the right fit. Globevisa already operates a direct corporate office in India with our own dedicated team. For an external partnership to make sense, I usually expect the partner to bring substantial existing resources to the table. At the time, I didn't see enough of that, so I politely declined.

But this time was different. When he found out I was in Dubai, he was absolutely insistent on meeting again. I figured, why not? It never hurts to have another conversation.

That conversation completely changed my mind.

As we spoke, I realized he is an exceptional salesperson. He was pitching himself with incredible intensity, earnestly answering every question I threw at him. What struck me most was his age—he is older than I am. In that fleeting moment, I was genuinely moved. Seeing someone older, yet still fighting so fiercely and sincerely for an opportunity... that kind of drive is inspiring.

After some internal deliberation, we decided to give him a chance. We are going to collaborate in New Delhi and see what we can build together. I admit, I am susceptible to this kind of passion. Being moved by someone who still gives 100% regardless of their age or stage in life—I think that is a wonderful trait to have.

A Shared Vision for Global Mobility: Connecting with a Lebanese Peer

Next, I met with a Lebanese industry peer. Our introduction was actually quite amusing. He mentioned he had just returned from India, so I naturally assumed he was Indian—especially given how frequently I work with Indian professionals in this market. It turned out he was Lebanese. Neither of us had done much background research prior to the meeting, so we spent a good amount of time just figuring out who the other person was. It was a lighthearted start.

Whenever I travel globally, I make it a point to connect with regional industry peers. Market dynamics vary wildly, and there is always something to learn from how others operate. But what made this meeting special was when I shared Globevisa’s "Vision 2045." For the first time in a long time, I saw a genuine spark in someone’s eyes. I could feel that he truly believed in what I was saying.

Here is the context: it is quite rare to find a peer in the Middle East whose corporate DNA mirrors ours. Many firms in this region focus heavily on B2B (business-to-business) channels. Globevisa’s philosophy of focusing on B2C (Direct-to-Consumer), serving the end-client directly, and relentlessly improving the client experience is actually somewhat uncommon in this specific market.

So, when I shared our long-term vision and saw that spark of alignment in his eyes, I felt a deep sense of appreciation. Finding someone who shares your core business philosophy across different cultures is incredibly rare. That alignment is more valuable than almost anything else.

Choosing to Believe: A Lesson in Resilience

Another moment of inspiration happened one morning in the hotel gym. I was listening to an interview with Cai Lei.

For context, Cai Lei is a prominent entrepreneur who has been publicly battling ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease). I had previously read his book and understood a bit about his journey. Listening to this recent interview hit differently, as his condition has progressed significantly.

One question from the interviewer left a lasting impression on me. They asked: "You constantly emphasize that ALS is a terminal illness. It is currently incurable. Yet, at the same time, you seem to hold onto a sliver of hope, investing massive amounts of money, energy, and resources into research, ignoring the skeptics. How do you maintain this state of mind?"

I don't remember his exact words, but the essence of his answer was this: "I know it is impossible, but I want to believe in the impossible."

When you understand the brutal reality of ALS, hearing a statement like that shifts your perspective entirely. It evokes a deep sense of empathy.

Knowing the odds are near zero, knowing there might not be a successful outcome, yet still choosing to believe and commit entirely—that attitude alone is a profound source of strength.

Nine Years Later: The Value of Staying the Course

This thought process tied into another event that occurred the night before I flew to Dubai. An old industry friend from Shanghai visited my home. We hadn't seen each other in nine years. We started talking around 6:00 PM and didn't stop until almost 10:00 PM.

Before he left, we took a photo in my courtyard. We realized that nine years ago, during his last visit, we had taken a photo in that exact same spot. Back then, we had also talked for hours, ultimately discussing how our business paths were diverging.

At the time, I explained that Globevisa was going to scale: serving the mass market, offering a wide array of global mobility programs, and striving to help as many people as possible.

He chose the boutique route. His philosophy was to focus deeply on a select few clients, providing highly personalized, premium services for a handful of top-tier programs.

Nine years ago, we embarked on completely different paths. As we reminisced that night, we were both struck by a profound realization: nine years later, we are both still executing the exact visions we outlined that day. We chose different roads, but we both stayed the course, taking it step by step. That realization left me with a lingering sense of peace and reflection.

Finding Strength in the Journey

You might be asking, what does any of this have to do with Dubai?

Honestly, there isn't a direct commercial link. But these moments—the Indian professional fighting for a chance, the Lebanese peer with a shared vision, the profound resilience of an entrepreneur battling ALS, and the unwavering dedication of a friend unseen for nine years—all intersected around this single trip.

My business itinerary in Dubai isn't fully over, and I'm sure there will be more practical takeaways. But as I prepare to fly back tonight, I just believe that life requires positive energy.

These stories gave me an immense amount of strength and perspective. Before the thoughts faded, I wanted to organize them and share them with you.

The light from those who hold onto their small dreams, and those who walk their chosen paths for years without giving up, doesn't just guide them—it illuminates the way for the rest of us, too.

Thank you for reading, and we will talk again soon.