Back when I was a 20-something social worker in New York, I had a boss named Fred. Former priest, recovering alcoholic, lived through the Bowery, and taught me more about people than any textbook ever could. He used to ask, “When are you going to write your book?” I didn’t get it back then.
But I get it now.
It wasn’t about putting words on paper. It was about owning your story, leading your story, and writing your next chapter with purpose.
That’s exactly what YJ Lin is doing.
I sat down with him for the Rock Solid podcast, and by the end of the conversation, I was certain of one thing. He’s not just working for Dell. He’s building something bigger than a job title. He’s writing a new kind of playbook for community-driven entrepreneurship. And trust me, it’s worth paying attention to.
Let’s start with the hardware. YJ is the Senior Program Manager at Dell for Startups. He’s working out of Round Rock, Texas, but his reach touches startup ecosystems across the U.S. and Canada. His team isn’t just pushing product. They’re building long-term relationships with founders. Why? Because that’s how Dell started. One kid. One dorm room. One problem worth solving. Dell understands entrepreneurs because Dell was built by one.
But it’s not just about servers and consultations.
What really got me leaning in during our chat was what YJ is doing outside the job description.
He’s not just supporting startups. He’s connecting them. During the layoffs in tech a few years ago, when employee resource group budgets were slashed, YJ didn’t pull back. He reached out. He contacted other companies like Oracle, Indeed, and Emerson and asked a powerful question: “What if we did this together?”
No big budget. No formal agenda. Just a Zoom call with a purpose. That first year, they had six companies and 200 people. Last year, they had 12 corporations, over a dozen nonprofits, and more than 600 attendees. That’s what community looks like when it’s intentional.
That kind of momentum doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because someone shows up. Someone listens. Someone builds relationships before they need them.
I asked him where this drive comes from. His answer surprised me. He said, “I thought everyone else’s story was more interesting than mine.”
But here’s the twist. He didn’t try to outshine anyone. He amplified them. He realized his own story wasn’t about standing in the spotlight. It was about turning up the volume for others.
That’s leadership.
We talked about community not as a charity project but as an engine for business impact. When you design community well and build ecosystems that create business value, you don’t just help nonprofits do more good. You help companies grow smarter. You help founders find talent. You help cities like Round Rock become magnets for innovation.
YJ’s helping entrepreneurs get their tech stack right. He’s helping corporations learn how to move fast without breaking trust. He’s helping social workers, faith leaders, and startup founders stay fueled, not fried.
This isn’t just feel-good talk. It’s infrastructure.
And if you’re reading this thinking, “How do I get started?” YJ has the simplest advice: show up.
Want a better network? Show up.
Want stronger customer insights? Show up.
Want to build something that lasts? Show up consistently. Stay curious. Give more than you take.
It’s not complicated. It’s just rare.
YJ’s next chapter is clear. He wants to teach. Not from a pedestal, but from the trenches. He wants to codify what he’s learned, write it down, and make it replicable. That’s what great community builders do. They don’t hoard the formula. They share the playbook.
So maybe Fred was right.
The book you write isn’t always printed. Sometimes it’s the lives you impact. It’s the leaders you nurture and the systems you build. And maybe, if you’re like YJ Lin, the book you write becomes a movement.
Transcript:
Bryan Eisenberg:
I’m here with YJ Lin, Senior Program Manager at Dell for Startups. YJ, before we dig into startups and community building, congratulations are in order. You were recently named Volunteer of the Year by the Greater Austin Asian Chamber. That’s huge.
YJ Lin:
Thanks, Bryan. Honestly, I was a bit surprised. But I’m deeply honored. When I moved to Austin about seven years ago, I knew I wanted to be involved. The best way to get to know people and the community is to show up, be present, and serve wherever there’s a need.
Bryan:
And you’ve done that in spades. Tell me more about your work with the Chamber.
YJ:
I really started getting involved about three years ago. Around that time, there were a lot of layoffs in tech. Budgets for employee resource groups—ERGs—were getting cut. These groups are volunteer-led and super important for connection and support, but they were being deprioritized.
I’d already been doing work in the startup ecosystem, so I started reaching out to ERG leads at other companies. I said, “Let’s not worry about budget. What if we just came together and created something?” That first year we had support from companies like National Instruments (now Emerson), Oracle, and Indeed. We brought in about 200 attendees.
Last year? Twelve corporations, over a dozen nonprofits, and 600+ attendees. It was a true community collaboration. And it’s scalable. We’re passing the baton to new leaders now to keep it going and make it sustainable.
Bryan:
I love that. And you said something to me off-mic that stuck: “How do we create playbooks and inspire other cities and industries to build like this?” You’re not just doing the work—you’re making it repeatable.
YJ:
Exactly. Whether it’s Austin or Round Rock or another city, this only works when the community leaders are aligned and working together. Dell has given me the space to bring that thinking into the work I do with startups.
Bryan:
Speaking of that, tell people more about Dell for Startups. What do you actually do?
YJ:
We started about six years ago as part of Dell’s alternate routes to market, focused on supporting small businesses and startups. We work with founders across the U.S. and Canada. Dell is an end-to-end solutions provider—from peripherals to servers to enterprise tools—and our job is to make all that accessible to entrepreneurs.
More than anything, our value to startups is giving them someone to talk to. We help them make decisions on tech specs, procurement, and scale—without them needing to figure it out alone. If you’re a startup founder juggling everything, we want to take tech off your plate.
Bryan:
I know you’ve also talked about the synergy between startups and corporations. The way each can learn from the other.
YJ:
Absolutely. I run my own side business with my brother—we’ve got an e-commerce shop with 3D printers in the garage. So I see both sides.
In corporate, you’ve got systems and decades of experience. In startups, you’ve got speed, experimentation, and risk-taking. When those two mindsets come together, it’s powerful. Entrepreneurs can benefit from deep expertise. And big companies can re-learn how to move fast, stay close to the market, and stay customer-obsessed.
Bryan:
That connection piece seems central to everything you do.
YJ:
It is. I’ve realized my passion isn’t about being the hero of the story—it’s about helping others tell their story better. Whether it’s corporate, nonprofit, faith-based, or family systems, I want to help leaders build sustainable communities that create impact.
Bryan:
That’s gold. So what’s next for you?
YJ:
I haven’t told a lot of people this, but I want to teach. Whether that’s pursuing a master’s or doctorate or building out more community playbooks, I want to help people understand how to build intentional, impactful ecosystems. I want to show that community efforts aren’t just feel-good side projects. They can drive real business results.
Bryan:
Well, I’ll be the guy asking, “Where’s your book?” every time we talk now.
YJ:
Deal.
Bryan:
Final question. You live here in Round Rock. What do you love most about it?
YJ:
The accessibility. People are humble, open, and collaborative. The city and chamber have built something special, and if you show up and have an idea, someone will give you their time. That’s rare. And it’s one of the reasons why I believe in this community.
Bryan:
If someone wants to connect with you?
YJ:
Find me on LinkedIn. I respond to DMs. If you’re trying to build community or align your strengths with impact, I’d love to chat. And I’m also a Gallup Strengths Coach, so I can help teams uncover what they naturally do best and build from there.
Bryan:
YJ, thanks for being here. Keep doing the important work.
