Meet David Duong

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Duong. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

David , so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

My optimism is rooted in a deep belief that I can accomplish anything I commit myself to, a mindset I’ve always been driven by. What fuels me even more is being surrounded by passionate, purpose-driven people. Their energy and intentionality is contagious, and it keeps me inspired every day.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

From a young age, I was hands-on in the field, building homes with my dad. It was demanding, exhausting work, but it taught me more than any classroom ever could. Most days, I was on job sites after school until 10 PM, and weekends were spent working from morning until night. My dad used to wonder why my grades weren’t better… but I was out there mixing concrete when most kids were doing homework! At the time, it was tough balancing school while working in construction with my dad, but in hindsight, that experience built the foundation for my work ethic and resilience.

Now, as the Founder and CEO of Here We Are Construction, I’ve shifted from cutting tile to leading teams. My mission is to reimagine what it means to work with a general contractor. We do that by implementing clear systems, setting transparent expectations, and holding ourselves accountable.
Outside of work, I’m grounded by my family—my wife and our two dogs, Umi and Koda. They remind me why I do what I do.

What excites me most right now is the momentum we’re building, especially with our team. We’ve been very intentional about getting the right people into the right roles, and we follow the EOS system from the book Traction by Gino Wickman. I believe in it so much that I’ve gifted over 50 copies. We’re actively collaborating with some of LA’s most talented architects and designers. Their creativity and dedication continuously pushes us to raise the bar in our own work.

Our latest milestone was expanding into a new retail office in Koreatown, which marks a major upgrade from the foldable tables we started on in my living room in West Adams a year ago. We celebrated our Grand Opening on our 1-year anniversary, surrounded by friends, family, clients, and creative partners. Hearing how much people believe in our vision was both humbling and motivating.

In addition to HWA Construction, I’m also the co-founder of Moire Development, our real estate development arm. We focus on ground-up builds in Beverly Grove and Mar Vista, using our in-house design-build team to bring high-end residential projects to life.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the most impactful skill I’ve developed is the ability to genuinely connect with people. Surrounding myself with passionate, driven individuals pushes me to grow. The second is keeping ego out of the learning process, there’s always something to improve, whether it’s in communication, leadership, or just being more present at home. Lastly, I’ve learned to find calm in chaos. I was raised to handle pressure with a sense of humor, and that mindset has helped me navigate some of the toughest moments in business.

For anyone early in their journey: focus on relationships, stay teachable, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride even in the toughest times.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge is identifying bottlenecks and making sure we have the resources to address them quickly and effectively. We follow the IDS framework: Identify, Discuss, Solve.

But more than anything, it comes down to finding great talent, giving them the tools they need to succeed, and then stepping back so they can do their best work.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Eric Ha Photography
Hox Creative

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