Who is Carol Zurita?
I see myself as a Global Citizen. Born and raised in Ecuador, I relocated to the USA in my 20s before embarking on a journey to Shenzhen, China, in 2011. In 2020, I made my way to Singapore, where I currently reside.
Overall, I aspire to be recognized as Carol Zurita, a visionary and ambitious professional with a unique and diverse skillset that has allowed me to make a significant impact across various industries. My background encompasses expertise in business development, strategic planning, and social entrepreneurship, as I strive to become a thought leader and innovative problem solver.
What drives you to be the entrepreneur and mentor you are?
At the age of 14, my parents divorced, leaving my mom to single-handedly provide for three teenagers. A year later, the worst financial crisis in my home country led to hyperinflation, which caused the value of our money to plummet, diminishing our purchasing power.
Before the crisis, my mom’s full monthly salary covered 90% of our single-parent family’s expenses. After the crisis, the same salary could only afford a single pair of Reebok sneakers. Poverty became our reality.
Later being an adult, when I first encountered Bitcoin (before the fall of its price), I felt an overwhelming sense of confidence and satisfaction, as if I had found my “happily ever after.” The investor experience helped me to understand how finances work and how to manage them.
Since then, my commitment to helping others succeed by providing education on personal finances, budgeting, and crisis preparation has only grown stronger. As an entrepreneur, I have ventured into e-commerce, consultancy, crypto, and NFTs. With ten years of experience under my belt, I understand the importance of guidance and support in overcoming challenges, and I am dedicated to providing others with the mentorship and resources they need to succeed.
How did you step into crypto investment?
At the end of 2016, I was recruited as a Marketing Manager for a brand-new CEX in Shenzhen, China. As the main person building promotional content for the platform and benefits of investing in Bitcoin. In constant research and auto-education about the matter, I became captivated by the rapidly growing world of cryptocurrency.
And it was hard not to feel exhilarated as I watched users’ investments soar, with Bitcoin prices increasing per day. I jumped in when the price was $2400 thinking that I had found my goose of the golden eggs. Bitcoin reached a staggering all-time high of $20,000 before December 2017. And as many investors face the dilemma of when to sell it because the grid is stronger, I held all my Bitcoin and even invested all of the cash I had left until days later, the painful fall happened. The price was $3000 per Bitcoin.
Do you think Crypto is the future of the global economy?
In my opinion, cryptocurrency has the potential to play a significant role in the future of the global economy. Over the past decade, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have rapidly gained traction and have been embraced by both retail and institutional investors. As these digital assets continue to mature, they may reshape various aspects of the global financial landscape.
One notable development in the cryptocurrency space is the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi). DeFi platforms aim to replace traditional financial intermediaries by offering services such as lending, borrowing, and trading directly on the blockchain. This democratizes access to financial services, especially for the unbanked and underbanked populations, fostering economic growth and financial inclusion globally.
Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are another example of the growing interest in digital assets. Several countries are researching or developing their own digital currencies, which could potentially streamline cross-border transactions, reduce transaction costs, and improve monetary policy implementation.
Despite these promising developments, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges and risks associated with cryptocurrencies. Issues like price volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and energy consumption concerns must be addressed to enable the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies in the global economy.
That is to say that while cryptocurrencies hold immense potential to revolutionize the global economy, their future depends on overcoming existing challenges and integrating seamlessly with traditional financial systems. By striking the right balance between innovation and regulation, cryptocurrencies could become a crucial component of the future global economy.
What happened after your loss of Bitcoin in 2017?
I became the Bitcoin and crypto avid primarily focused on learning options to get my money back, funny as it sounds.
So I brought friends and family to launch a Bitcoin and Litecoin mining farm. We mined and waited for the price to recover but patience became an element that ultimately made us quit. In addition, when the strict regulations in China against crypto mining happened, we used it as an excuse to stop the business and partnership that wouldn’t make us feel like quitters. – I say it chuckling –
In 2019, as a professional in the field I joined a new exchange, this time it was one of the first DEXes. A Russian-based exchange was helping entrepreneurs raise funds through ICOs. This time I was learning about market-making, tokenomics, and real-world utilities. My role at the company was to build engaging and attractive content that would educate enthusiasts and investors. I launched 5 virtual TV shows about the top 10 hottest ICOs, live AMAs, live giveaways for investors, and the latest news about relevant topics. The Youtube channel became such an attraction that various tens of thousands of global viewers would tune in a day.
In 2021 I moved to a different crypto platform related to payments. It would be the on and off-ramp crypto payment serving big exchanges like Bybit, Matrixport, and others. Learning about the holistic world of digital money became my passion.
Since then I have rotated around other 2 startups in derivative trading and futures.
But it wasn’t until late last year, that I jumped into the NFT world.
It’s been six months since I am working with A-list musical artists helping them take control of their profits by launching NFT collections that ultimately cut the middle man (aka music labels) that exploits their work, personal brand, and their personal lives.
NFT music and NFT entertainment are emerging industries and yet there is a lot of unknown around them. Why do we have to care about it?
NFT music and entertainment are revolutionizing the creative landscape, offering numerous benefits to artists, creators, and fans alike. By eliminating intermediaries, artists gain more control over their work, fostering a fairer and more transparent ecosystem. Fans benefit from exclusive access to content, experiences, or merchandise, forging a deeper connection with their favorite creators. Owning a unique NFT also provides fans with a sense of prestige and exclusivity, as they become part of the first group of people to own a precious piece from their idols. Embracing NFTs enhances the creative economy and strengthens the bond between artists and their audiences, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.
How do you help startups in Web3?
Over the past ten years, my professional growth in marketing and branding has been fueled by the opportunities, trust from former bosses, and the media itself. This has instilled in me an insatiable curiosity for learning and applying various initiatives and theories, which have led to both failures and
successes. By gathering and sharing the tried and successful effective practices with entrepreneurs, I aim to add value by saving them time and resources, ultimately helping them achieve their desired outcomes, such as user acquisition, sales, profit, and brand recognition.
Now, I am compiling my most effective practices, along with the steps and taken actions from the most successful initiatives, to create a booklet featuring the 20 most effective tactics for marketing Web3 startups on a tight budget. With this marketing and branding manual, I aim to reach numerous entrepreneurs in various geographical locations, whether or not they have a marketing team. This manual is intended to be the instant noodles of marketing—entrepreneurs can simply open the package, put the content into practice, and voila, they can enjoy the feast.
A booklet, aren’t you intimated by the work of collecting, designing the content, and its publication?
Writing a booklet or a book is indeed a daunting task. However, there’s nothing that can’t be overcome when you practice and gain the confidence to do it again.
This booklet (or perhaps it will become a book) will be my fourth publication. In the past, I have published three other books on female entrepreneurship, mental health, and motivation. My latest book, Her Prerogative (2022), was my first foray into fiction. I tested my imagination by crafting a compelling story about a woman whose experiences differed significantly from my own. The challenge was immense, but the mental stretch proved worthwhile.
Overall, confidence and excitement outweigh fear when it comes to writing and publishing a book. What truly matters is providing valuable help to
entrepreneurs who hustle to build a product while lacking the resources to effectively promote it simultaneously.
What do you want to tell your audience today?
I would answer in two parts: the first one is about your project and business.
The key to success lies in strategically positioning your products and expertise, ensuring your contributions stand out amid the rapidly evolving landscape.
First and foremost, refine your value proposition by articulating the unique benefits your product brings to this new generation of business. Establish a robust online presence with a polished website and an active social media strategy, engaging with potential users through updates, news, and educational content.
Engage in online forums, discussion boards, and social media groups to share insights and collaborate with thought leaders, potential users, and investors. Foster early adoption and reward your supporters by offering incentives such as airdrops, token sales, or referral programs.
Elevate your brand by partnering with respected influencers and thought leaders, establishing credibility and trust among potential users. Create informative content to educate your audience about your product, demonstrating your expertise and addressing common concerns.
Network and establish your brand by attending and sponsoring industry events, and forging valuable connections with potential users, investors, and partners. Remain agile by monitoring your marketing efforts, analyzing user feedback, and adapting your strategies as needed to stay relevant and competitive.
What is the second part?
The second part is about their confidence and drives to execute despite the adversities.
As an entrepreneur, no matter if you are in Web3, e-commerce, media, or any industry, the world is yours to shape. Rise to the challenge, harness your expertise, and carve out your unique space in this burgeoning field. The possibilities are boundless, and the rewards, are immeasurable. Stay strong and brave to try things you have never done – even when you are terrified to do it! Only the experience, the mistakes, and the doing feed you with the valuable experience that will ultimately get you where you want to be. Do not quit, and if you do, start something new!
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