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 Guest
Victor 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 Highlights
- Victor’s path from politics major to COO in a tech company
- The leadership shock of moving from sales to operations — and learning to say no
- The origin and purpose behind Victor’s startup, Fidu, and the digital gap it aims to solve
- Why building a digital business in Ecuador means doing more with less—less internet access, less funding, less infrastructure
- What American tech builders take for granted—and what they can learn from Latin American founders
- Wisdom from his mom, his uncle, and a monk in Shanghai (yes, really)
- The power of human-first leadership in unstable business environments
- Why the path to change isn’t politics—it’s entrepreneurship
💡 Key Takeaways
- Adaptability 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 Mattered
- What 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 & Resources
