The ARC Keystones Series: Joan Ng

Our latest spotlight in the Keystone Contributor Series highlights Stellar #7, Joan Ng (aka Joan of ARC), who is currently the CEO of Colorverse and plays a pivotal role in championing ARC in Kuala Lumpur.

After finishing her studies in the UK, Joan ventured into the fashion industry. She is the pioneer team of Uniqlo Malaysia and also worked with renowned brands such as Chanel, Zara, and Top Shop. She then worked on fashion buyer at G2000 and Parkson before pivoting to the events industry, orchestrating high-profile events for brands such as Ferragamo and Four Seasons Hotel.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joan adapted to the changing business landscape. She delved into branding and social media strategies for SMEs, which led to her entry into Colorverse, then a SocialFi company. In 2022, as Colorverse pivoted towards platform branding and marketing, Joan was also elevated to the role of CEO. Under her leadership, the company has secured a landmark partnership with Tourism Malaysia to launch a Metaverse, a significant achievement for her career and the blockchain sector in Malaysia.

Joan's profound passion for the blockchain space is matched by her commitment to continuous learning and growth, as she says, “I always emphasise getting experience.” Her journey with ARC began serendipitously. Drawn by the profile of the founders (especially JJ since Joan’s a big fan :p), she decided to find out more. And this soon translated into the beginning of a transformative journey with ARC.

What do you think is the value of ARC?

“ARC is a safe space, especially for women.”

This sentiment resonates deeply with her own experiences. Whenever she had questions or doubts, Joan turned to the ARC community, receiving insights from industry veterans or younger degens like @KingOdin34. Notably, during a brief hiatus from Web3 due to her pregnancy, Joan returned to a rapidly evolved landscape. The ARC community was instrumental in helping her navigate these changes, generously providing updates and guidance to keep her informed and involved.

Joan's role in ARC extends beyond individual learning; she's a bridge connecting the Malaysian Web3 community to the broader, international Web3 landscape. She passionately talks about the collaborative spirit within ARC: "You can travel together, earn together, do projects together." This ethos of collective growth and opportunity is evident in her interactions, like the one with fellow Stellar @zunahn, transcending language barriers — "While he’s from Korea, and I’m from Malaysia, we are still friends.” 

ARC's array of opportunities — from alpha sharing to raffles — and its emphasis on international networking reflect Joan's vision of an inclusive and comprehensive Web3 space. "There’s something for everyone," she insists. Not just a platform for flippers, the community provides incredible access and privilege, where diverse groups, from the degen to seasoned professionals, collaborate, share insights, and work together to forge new paths in the ever-evolving Web3 landscape.

Why do you feel it’s meaningful to be an active contributor to ARC?

Joan's commitment to ARC as an active contributor is rooted in her belief that engagement and participation are key to enhancing the community's value.

"When you want it to be more valuable, you have to elevate the community experience for members ”

Championing ARC in KL, Joan has fully embraced her role as an ambassador, organising regular events and creating a well-coordinated community, complete with a WhatsApp group that even tracks members' birthdays. Through increased activity and events, there was a lot more hype around ARC. Her plans for celebrating cultural events, like the Lunar New Year, are a testament to the close-knit nature of the group she’s fostering. Furthermore, she has also facilitated a recent initiative by connecting ARC with @realnobodyxyz, a highly anticipated NFT collection associated with Stephen Chow, securing 50 coveted whitelist spots for Stellars.

This surge in excitement and participation has led to a ripple effect: the more members that join and engage, the more the community thrives, unlocking new possibilities for collective success. Joan's strategic approach has not only spurred a deeper interest in ARC but has also fostered a more vibrant, interactive, and dynamic community environment.

What advice would you give those who want to contribute?

With her expertise in marketing and project management, Joan was initially unsure how these skills would mesh with the needs of ARC. But when the opportunity to contribute through organising events in KL presented itself, aligning with her background in event management, she embraced the challenge with open arms.

Her advice is straightforward and empowering: "Just do it."

This bold approach marked a significant transition for Joan, evolving from a member of the ARC crew on Discord to a key contributor. Her guiding principle throughout this journey has been a simple yet profound one: “If you don’t know, keep learning.” This mindset of continuous growth and exploration has been key to her success.

Joan encourages others to actively pursue their interests and to grab opportunities as they come. She highlights the importance of leveraging one's unique skills and experiences. A prime example she offers is how Jeff, a wine aficionado, has been able to contribute to the community by sharing his expertise through wine tastings. This not only enhanced the communal experience but also illustrated the wide-ranging impact that varied expertise can have.

In a curated community as rich and diverse as ARC, where each member contributes their unique insights and passions, the possibilities for what ARC can achieve seem boundless.

What are your future wishes for ARC?

"Everyone flies to the moon!"

Joan's aspirations for ARC are ambitious and community-focused. She envisions a collective journey towards success, where every member contributes to and benefits from the community's growth.

Her personal connection to ARC adds a unique dimension to her vision. "Both my baby and I are growing in this journey with ARC," she reflects, revealing a heartwarming intersection of her professional and personal life. The discovery of her pregnancy coincided with her first meeting with Elroy and her initial engagement with the ARC community, leading her to affectionately refer to her child as “ARC’s first baby.”

This special bond underscores the profound impact that ARC has had on her life, symbolising the growth and development that she has experienced alongside the community.

Editor’s Note

Joan's authentic character and refreshing humility shone through this interview, and we hope you feel it too after reading it. Despite her many achievements, Joan’s enthusiasm for continuous growth and learning in the rapidly evolving web3 space is not just inspiring—it serves as a poignant reminder of the vital human element in our increasingly digital world.

Jia you, Joan!