YJ Lin
Personal Information
- Age: 30 years old (as of June 2025)
- Location: Austin, Texas (originally from Houston)
- Technology: Android user
- Faith Journey: Baptized 2-3 years ago (around age 26-27) after going through a life crisis at 26
Professional Background
- Works at Dell campus in Austin
- Gives tours to visiting startups, including Korean startups through University of Texas partnerships
- Travels for work (mentioned Toronto trip Monday-Thursday)
Connection to Gary Sheng
- Date of First Contact: June 20, 2025
- Introduction Path: Connected through Waz (via Beef Jones network)
- Waz spoke highly of Gary to YJ, prompting the introduction call
Key Relationships & Networks
- Waz: Mutual connection who facilitated introduction
- Sunny Zhang: Houston-based contact, professor at University of St. Thomas
- Studies psychology and marketing
- Running startup called "Truly"
- Passionate community builder who "hates Canva and Blackboard"
- Building educational technology solutions
- Family: Still based in Houston area
Conversation Themes (June 20, 2025)
Faith & Values
- Recent convert to Christianity (baptized 2-3 years ago)
- Aligned with Gary's perspective on faith-based education approaches
- Experienced spiritual transformation during mid-twenties life crisis
Education & Technology
- Connected to educational technology through Sunny Zhang relationship
- Interest in alternatives to existing platforms like Blackboard
- Professional exposure to international educational partnerships (Korean startups)
Geographic Connections
- Austin-based but Houston roots create potential collaboration opportunities
- Travel schedule includes Toronto business trips
- Family connections maintain Houston ties
Potential Collaboration Areas
- Houston Educational Network: Connection to Sunny Zhang and University of St. Thomas
- Austin Tech Scene: Dell campus connections and startup tour activities
- International Education: Korean startup connections through UT partnerships
- Faith-Based Education: Shared Christian values and education reform interests
Immediate Next Steps (as of June 20, 2025)
- Gary planning Houston visit early July for China visa processing
- YJ offering to facilitate Houston introductions and provide local recommendations
- Scheduled Friday tour at Dell campus with Korean startups (Gary considering joining)
- Introduction to Sunny Zhang being arranged
Notable Quotes
"I grew up as anything is. I just turned 30. When I hit 26, I went through a whole life crisis. I think within a year, I decided to get baptized."
Strategic Value
- Houston Gateway: Native Houston connections for Gary's expanding Texas network
- Educational Technology Bridge: Access to University of St. Thomas academic network
- International Startup Exposure: Korean educational technology connections
- Faith Community: Shared spiritual foundation for educational reform initiatives
- Dell Corporate Network: Potential enterprise educational technology partnerships
Follow-up Priorities
- Coordinate Houston visit timing and introductions
- Explore Sunny Zhang educational technology collaboration
- Investigate Korean startup educational initiatives
- Consider Dell campus educational technology opportunities
- Plan Austin meetup around Korean startup tour
Transcripts
| transcript-id | date | one-line-summary |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-20-gary-sheng-yj-lin-initial-introduction | 2025-06-20 | Initial introduction call covering educational mission and institutional breakdown thesis |