We were lucky to catch up with Lance Ding recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lance, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I’ve been a founder for the past five years, and throughout that time, I’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs. When I first started out, I didn’t have any mentors or peers, and I realized how crucial community and real relationships are in the entrepreneurial journey.
In the summer of 2023, I started a community for UCLA alumni entrepreneurs with the goal of bringing people together into an ecosystem where they could form authentic and meaningful connections. Today, we have around 200 members, host in-person events twice a month, run co-working sessions, and offer a wealth of resources. We’ve even organized retreats, booking large houses in Big Bear and traveling to Kauai, creating incredible experiences for founders to build, connect, and learn in a way that feels fun and genuine—not just about grinding and suffering through the startup journey.
More recently we starting leasing amazing real estate for co-living/co-working spaces.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve been a founder for the past five years. My first startup was a tutor marketplace that served my hometown. Then while at UCLA, I started a community for alumni entrepreneurs with the goal of bringing people together into an ecosystem where they could form authentic and meaningful connections. As we’ve grown and expanded, our focus has been on creating exceptional experiences and curating a vibrant community where members can interact genuinely and inspire each other. What sets us apart is our emphasis on relationships over transactions, fostering spaces for authentic and meaningful interactions. We create fun, non-pretentious environments that prioritize trust and intimacy.
I’m also actively working on building a product that automates warm, personalized, and relevant introductions between community members, a tool that can bring huge value to communities like ours that center connection.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’ve found that success really comes down to being adaptable, reflective, and in tune with the people and environment around you. I’m pretty good at adapting and reflecting when I get feedback, but what I’m still working on is really listening and staying connected to others. As long as you have clear values, a sense of what you want to achieve, and keep reflecting on how to improve, you’ll have a strong foundation to grow from.
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?
Building a strong community is both rewarding and incredibly challenging. It’s not just about hosting events or managing operations; it also requires nurturing countless relationships and ensuring that members feel connected and supported. At the same time, there’s the added pressure of making the community financially sustainable.
These two goals—creating meaningful impact and ensuring sustainability—often feel like they’re working against each other. Striking the right balance is one of the hardest parts of the journey.
What has helped me most is surrounding myself with supportive people and leaning on other communities for guidance and encouragement. Having that network has been invaluable in navigating the ups and downs of building something meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joinstartupvillage.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupvillagela/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-ding-152370195/
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