The Innovation Stack
We often chase the 'big idea' or try to replicate a competitor's standout feature, believing that's where true innovation lies. But what if the real strength isn't in any single component, but in the intricate, custom-built *interconnectedness* of solutions that no one else can easily copy? Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square, shows how true originality comes from being forced to solve problems that have no existing solution, building a unique 'innovation stack' piece by piece. You've likely felt the frustration of trying to adopt an off-the-shelf solution that never quite fits, or the quiet dread when your 'breakthrough' feature is quickly copied. This episode unpacks how constraints become catalysts, forcing you to invent a unique system that becomes your greatest defense, making your enterprise not just innovative, but truly uncopyable.