It Pays to Think Independently

Welcome to The Independent Thinking Newsletter, where businessman, financier, and author Marcelo Marini offers a rare opportunity to see behind the curtains of the business and financial world. Here, he shares his insights, ideas, and strategic reflections on business, finance, and independent thinking—shaped by real experience. He highlights the mistakes people are making, the opportunities often overlooked, explains how the business and financial world actually works, and reflects on how independent thinking can contribute to a better life.

Each week, Marcelo Marini shares his thinking through letters, audio, and video teachings—delivered directly to your inbox, and Substack—along with access to on-demand classes and a private library of resources and tools.

About the Author

Marcelo Marini is a businessman, financier, and author. He writes about independent thinking, business, and financial subjects for readers in more than 15 countries. Marini holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA in Corporate Finance. He has a strong track record of strategic and operational excellence, extensive knowledge in the sectors in which he operates, and international experience.

For over ten years, Marcelo Marini’s weekly writings have reached readers and students across more than 15 countries. This is the only place where his work is published.

Predictions of Human Misconceptions, Problems, and Opportunities

There is a significant difference between Nero and Fat Tony, characters described by N. Taleb. One sees the opportunity and writes about it—often ignored—while the other engages in dialogue, gains insight, and develops asymmetries.

Over the last ten years, this newsletter has published strategic perspectives, often anticipating structural trends in business, finance, behavior, and markets.

Here, you will find problems and opportunities that many business owners and investors have yet to recognize.

As a longtime reader and friend of this newsletter often says:
“Mr. Marini is always 10–15 years ahead.”

Can we avoid the traps that waste time, capital, and decision-making?

There are more “predictions of human misconceptions” still unfolding today. We are not here to tell you what to do, but to help you question assumptions—and think independently.

Reader Voices

Mostly, The Independent Thinking is read by business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors. Among its readers are millionaires, billionaires, global music figures, hedge-fund managers, bankers, founders of global banks and conglomerates, philosophers, executives, artists, athletes, journalists, friends, and colleagues.

“Notorious knowledge in the field, inspiring, awesome.” — Executive
“Rational and surgical.” — Entrepreneur
“For over ten years, Marcelo has been my main reference in matters related to business and finance.” — Entrepreneur
“Disciple of W. Buffett, B. Graham & M. Marini (not necessarily in this order).” — Entrepreneur, Investor
“A little weekend reading: Marcelo Marini wrote about the difference between investors thinking for themselves versus just blindly following the crowd” — The Berkshire Beat

Additional Learning — Platform Access

Subscribers may also choose to access the platform, which provides access to membership plans, courses, books, materials, and additional resources.

Editorial Notes

If an article appears in another language, we kindly ask readers to use their browser’s “Translate” function. This is preferable to relying on third-party interpretations and, in our view, better than skipping the reading altogether. Some articles from 2015–2020 are being remounted from the original Diaries. Since Marcelo Marini’s original Diary moved to Substack, The Independent Thinking is now the only place where he shares his thoughts.

Our intention is not to write conventional articles. Instead, we focus on unconventional, timeless, relevant ideas intended to remain valuable long after these pieces are written. Readers are encouraged to revisit, study, discuss, and explore the deeper meaning behind them. Topics include cognitive discipline, misconceptions and cultural traps, family business and legacy, business fundamentals, behavioral finance, personal and corporate finance, sound thinking, decision errors, and events shaping our present and future.

If you are willing to explore the archives, you may experience the benefit of relying less on the opinions of others—which, depending on your level of self-confidence, can be a meaningful advantage.

For contact unrelated to Substack, please reach out via email or through the contact page. Due to the limited number of clients we work with each year, availability may be limited, and new inquiries may be placed on a waiting list.

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Editorial Approach

We do not offer stock tips, recommendations, investment products, investment advice, portfolio management, or model portfolios. We are not engaged in investment advisory or portfolio management services. Instead, we focus on understanding business, finance, decision-making, and living a better life through independent thinking. We are not here to tell you what to do, but to help you question assumptions—and think independently.