Christian Mercado on the Future of Digital Marketing—and What Brands Keep Getting Wrong

When most college students are cramming for midterms and figuring out what they want to do after graduation, Christian Mercado, founder of DigiMax Marketing, was already building a six-figure business.

“I knew since middle school that I wanted to be an entrepreneur,” says Mercado. “I didn’t know what kind of business, but I knew I wanted to build something of my own.”

That clarity would lead him into the fast-moving world of digital marketing—first through hands-on eCommerce experiments and now as a results-driven strategist behind one of the fastest-growing premium luggage brands in the U.S.

Learning by Doing: The Early Days

Mercado’s journey began in 2017 during his spring semester of college. With little more than curiosity and a shoestring budget, he dove into the world of dropshipping. Like many digital natives, he taught himself everything: building websites, managing ads, optimizing funnels, and handling customer support.

“I was overwhelmed at times,” he admits. “But I soaked up as much as I could.”

His persistence paid off. By his junior year, he was generating over $70,000 per month in online sales—proof that a well-executed 360° marketing strategy can drive powerful, automated growth.

Where Brands Go Wrong

Now a seasoned marketing professional leading multi-million dollar companies, Mercado sees where many companies stumble: they focus too narrowly on last-click attribution.

“They want the sale right away, but they forget the customer journey,” he explains. “Most people don’t buy the first time they see an ad. You need to meet them where they are and guide them through a smart funnel.”

He’s also sounding the alarm on another overlooked shift: the impact of AI on search.

“Google’s AI-generated results are changing how people find products and information,” says Mercado. “A lot of brands haven’t updated their SEO strategy, and they’re losing traffic because of it. Meanwhile, smaller competitors who adapt quickly are starting to win.”

A Career Built on Results

Two career moments stand out for Mercado—both defined by hustle and heart.

The first was his self-built eCommerce store during college, which hit six figures in sales. “That business was entirely bootstrapped. I remember crying out of frustration before it finally worked. It taught me how important persistence is.”

The second is his ongoing role with LEVEL8, a premium luggage brand based in New York. Mercado joined the company in late 2021 as Digital Marketing Manager and quickly made an impact.

“I took ownership of almost all U.S. projects and partnerships. Since then, we’ve grown over 10x.”

The Road Ahead

With years of digital experience and multiple wins under his belt, Mercado is still hungry to evolve. He continues to experiment with new marketing tools, stay ahead of AI-driven trends, and refine how brands connect with customers across platforms.

“I’m proud of the results so far,” he says, “but I’m even more excited for what’s next.”

For up-and-coming marketers, Mercado’s path is a reminder that learning by doing—and staying adaptable—can turn a side hustle into a serious career.