What according to you makes one an innovative entrepreneur?
Kathy Roberts: The adjective “innovative” in front of “entrepreneur” is more than what I usually define as entrepreneurial. My opinion is these visionaries see what is coming and usually don’t follow rule if they don’t produce the outcome desired. They will always find a way even if it means water has to flow up hill.
What is the Switch platform? What was the idea that led to the formation of the company?
Kathy Roberts: The Switch Platform is a blockchain-based financial ecosystem. From my first introduction I had a fascination with the reliability of the data on the blockchain and the freedom to make transactions in a decentralized market. The world has shrunk and with that we must adapt and evolve.
This is the second time in a lifetime that I’ve participated in a project of this type. When Discover Card first came on the scene in 1985, it offered unheard of features that were disruptive to the existing credit card industry. As an early executive (or “dawner”) at Discover Card, we introduced a lot of disruptive thoughts are now industry standards to the consumer credit industry. Now as a dawner in blockchain finance, we have the same opportunity.
Talk to us about the Switch Rewards Card. What makes it stand out from the crowd?
Kathy Roberts: With our Switch Black Card and Switch Trading Platform, users can buy, sell, and send cryptocurrencies and then can spend those converted currencies in everyday purchases. Through the Switch Node Network, all of these transactions earn our users Switch Digital Rewards. One way that we are unique is our Trading Platform has both a custodial wallet and a non-custodial wallet allowing our users to truly own their digital assets.
As the CEO, what role do you play in the day-to-day proceedings of the company?
Kathy Roberts: As CEO I am looking for opportunities to further unite our product with the needs and desires of users and future consumers. There is the current business to oversee and keep up the momentum of the project, parallel with our future plans.
What have been the biggest challenges for you and the team when it comes to the technology used?
Kathy Roberts: The speed of technology changes and consumer expectations are more rapid than ever. This alone keeps us in constant review of best practices and outcomes for the business and the customer.
What does the future look like for Switch? Talk to us about the recent beta testing expansion of Switch Reward Card and what it means.
Kathy Roberts: With our Switch Black Card in Open Beta and our Switch Trading Platform is Closed Beta (and soon to be Open Beta), this gives our developers an opportunity to work with the Beta Testers in the community and receive feedback on the products and work to create a better user experience. We hope to have both of these products out of Beta Testing and in a full Public Launch later this year and then working on our roadmap of other exciting customer offerings including B2B products.
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