110: "Is Survival Mode Your Greatest Startup Asset?" ft. Victor Almeida

Victor Almeida joins Erik from Ecuador to talk about what it really takes to build and scale a digital company in Latin America. From leading operations at Promotick Mexico to bootstrapping a startup from scratch, Victor offers raw insight into navigating thin margins, unstable infrastructure, and investor skepticism. But what shines brightest is his human-first leadership, scrappy mindset, and a deep belief that meaningful change starts with people who are willing to take a risk—even when the odds aren't in their favor.👤 About the GuestVictor Almeida is the COO of Promotick Mexico and a rising voice in Latin America’s digital transformation space. Born and raised in Ecuador, he has led commercial and operational teams across multiple countries while co-founding FIRU, a platform designed to bridge the gap between local providers and digital access. Victor brings a rare mix of grassroots experience, startup vision, and global perspective to his work—plus a deep love for family, wine, and quotes from Dune.🧭 Conversation HighlightsVictor’s path from politics major to COO in a tech companyThe leadership shock of moving from sales to operations — and learning to say noThe origin and purpose behind Victor’s startup, Fidu, and the digital gap it aims to solveWhy building a digital business in Ecuador means doing more with less—less internet access, less funding, less infrastructureWhat American tech builders take for granted—and what they can learn from Latin American foundersWisdom from his mom, his uncle, and a monk in Shanghai (yes, really)The power of human-first leadership in unstable business environmentsWhy the path to change isn’t politics—it’s entrepreneurship💡 Key TakeawaysAdaptability is the baseline: In regions of constant uncertainty, survival breeds resilience—and surprising innovation.Leadership is personal: For Victor, being a good boss means being a good human first. That builds trust and high-performing teams.You don't need a title to make change: Impact doesn’t require politics—it starts with creating value and showing up for people.Digital infrastructure can’t be assumed: Tools we take for granted in North America (like Google Maps or e-wallets) are missing in many regions.Risk is a feature, not a bug: Victor’s whole story is proof that courage matters more than credentials when systems aren’t built for you.❓ Questions That MatteredWhat does leadership look like in environments of instability?How do you scale a digital company where digital adoption is still limited?What’s the biggest disconnect between North American startup culture and the rest of the world?Why are margins so much thinner—and what does that teach you?How do you raise money for a startup when investors expect you to quit your job first?🗣️ Notable Quotes“If you don’t take the risk, you don’t win. And if you lose, you learn.” — Victor’s mom“Digital transformation is about people. My job is to be human first, work after.” — Victor Almeida“I used to care about my commission. Now I care if the operation is profitable.” — Victor Almeida🔗 Links & ResourcesPromotick MexicoBook: Quiero Ser Presidente ("I Want to Be President") by Victor AlmeidaConnect on Instagram: @vican2294Victor's LinkedIn Profile