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Houston, Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations at Leading Digital Finance Organization: Advize Career Interview
A career path forged in a high school dorm room mining cryptocurrency led to a unique and fulfilling role as Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations at a leading digital finance organization.
The journey involved unexpected twists and turns, including a record label internship and a cancelled Amazon offer, highlighting the importance of following passion.
This professional now manages a global team, navigating the challenges of a fast-paced, remote environment while building and maintaining crucial ecosystem relationships.
Success hinges on effective communication, proactive time management, and embracing a "say yes to everything" mentality.
The interview reveals a dynamic industry where innovation reigns supreme, demanding self-starting individuals who thrive on experimentation and readily adapt.
Entry-level opportunities abound for those willing to learn, even with tangential skills, making it an exciting field for aspiring professionals.
This individual’s emphasis on well-being and proactive approach to networking provides valuable career lessons for anyone considering a similar path.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Houston Morgan
Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations
Leading Digital Finance Organization
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business & Related, Communications
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
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Career Path of a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations in Digital Finance
Houston's career path began unexpectedly with high school cryptocurrency mining, "mining crypto in my dorm room," which funded their education. A winding journey through side hustles, a record label internship, and even a cancelled Amazon job offer, ultimately led to a fulfilling role at ShapeShift, prioritizing passion over immediate financial gain.
Main Responsibilities of a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations at a Digital Finance Company
Houston's role as Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations is a unique blend of "partnership director and marketing manager," born from the company's restructuring. This involves managing a 10-person team, overseeing marketing strategies ("developing the GTM strategy for products"), and acting as the primary point of contact for building and maintaining crucial ecosystem relationships, "the guy who knows everyone."
A Day in the Life of a Director of Marketing and Partnerships at a Digital Finance Organization
Houston's role as Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations involves managing a globally dispersed team, requiring early mornings to coordinate with international colleagues and constant communication. The work entails "putting out fires," facilitating collaboration between teams, and ensuring smooth product launches, all while acting as a buffer, so team members can focus on their tasks—"I'm like the s**t umbrella."
Most Important Skills For A Director Of Marketing And Protocol Relations At A Leading Digital Finance Organization
Houston, a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations, emphasizes effective communication as the most crucial skill, highlighting the importance of "execution and communication," including proactively updating stakeholders on project timelines, even when facing unexpected delays. This necessitates both detailed explanation and "succinctness," conveying information clearly and concisely.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Director Of Marketing And Protocol Relations At Shapeshift
Houston's favorite aspect of their role as Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations is the "super chill" and inclusive remote work environment at their organization, allowing for a flexible work-life balance where they can "pet their cat" or "smoke some ribs" while still feeling connected to colleagues. This successful remote setup demonstrates a strong understanding of work-life integration, a valuable skill for a career professional.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Of Marketing And Protocol Relations At A Fintech Company
Houston, a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations, cites time and task management as the biggest challenge in their fast-paced, remote role, describing the need to "make sure all the plates are spinning" across partnerships, marketing, and product oversight. This juggling act, while a continuous learning process, highlights the demanding nature of their leadership position and the constant need for adaptability.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Blockchain Industry As A Marketing And Protocol Director
Houston, a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations, thrives on the innovative nature of the blockchain industry, enjoying the ability to "make up the rules" and implement novel marketing strategies. This allows for constant experimentation—"if it works, awesome. If it doesn't, why didn't it work?"—and creative freedom, a stark contrast to the perceived rigidity of established companies like Amazon.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Digital Finance, According To A Marketing Director At A Digital Finance Firm
Houston, a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations, identifies "being a self-starter" as key to success in the digital finance industry, explaining that the team thrives by taking initiative ("I'm not going to give you work… If you're working for me, you tell me what you need to do"). This approach empowers team members as experts, allowing them to define tasks needed to achieve the overall vision, rather than receiving micromanaged assignments.
What a Director of Marketing at a Digital Finance Company wishes they had known before entering the Digital Finance industry
Houston, a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations, emphasizes the crucial, yet often overlooked, importance of physical and mental well-being outside of work, stating that "the job...is so integrated into my life." The always-on nature of the digital finance industry necessitates intentional breaks and personal time to maintain a sustainable career, because "there's always more to do."
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Digital Marketers
Houston, Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations, recommends entry-level positions like "part-time writer" as a starting point, highlighting their own career trajectory which began with writing articles about crypto despite limited prior knowledge; this approach allowed for "on-the-job training" and skill acquisition through practical experience. The interviewee emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing skills, even if tangential to the field, and proactively seeking opportunities to learn and grow within a role.
Significant Career Lesson From a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations at a Digital Finance Company
Houston, a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations at a leading digital finance organization, emphasizes the career lesson "don't trust, verify," especially relevant in the high-stakes crypto industry where phishing is rampant. This approach, applicable to everything from scrutinizing links to showcasing accomplishments ("Hey, I did this, this, this, and this. Boom. I'm out."), allows for verifiable results instead of relying on trust, mirroring the transparency of blockchain technology itself.
College Experiences That Helped A Director Of Marketing In Digital Finance Succeed
Houston's key to career success, gleaned from freshman orientation, was simply "say yes to everything," fostering unexpected connections and opportunities. This strategy, exemplified by collaborations during college that blossomed into later professional relationships, showcases the power of embracing diverse experiences and building a strong network early in one's career.
How Identity Has Influenced a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations at Leading Digital Finance Organization's Career
Houston, a Director of Marketing and Protocol Relations, acknowledges the lack of diversity in the crypto industry, stating, "everyone in crypto literally is the exact same as me, which I freaking hate." This homogeneity motivates Houston to actively seek out diverse perspectives, prioritizing collaboration with individuals from different backgrounds over those sharing similar experiences, even if it means foregoing potentially advantageous connections with more established figures.
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