Eric Nguyen On Owning San Diego 20's

1. Introduction and Background 

 ◦ Can you share a bit about yourself and what inspired you to create this group chat? 

• I'm Eric Nguyen, 23 years old, and a recent graduate from UC Riverside, where I studied finance and marketing. I moved to San Diego County to kickstart my entrepreneurial journey, hoping to build something big on my own. However, I quickly realized how difficult it was to build connections and make friends here. Being self-employed, I didn't have any coworkers to mingle with, and I initially thought this place was just for retirees or those who could afford the high cost of living, not people my age. I even attempted to make connections through dating and friendship apps but felt others’ genuine purposes weren’t fully transparent. Outside of digital, I attempted to also attend events or bars on my own but noticed that many were coming in pairs or groups which continued to add to the challenge.

Having felt the strong emotions of isolation, I quickly remembered Ashley Mitchell's initiative called "Bay Area 20's" back when I was living in Northern California. Inspired by that, I decided to bring a similar concept to San Diego, calling it "San Diego 20s' on Facebook. This step started with one, then ten, then thousands that quickly joined many if not all, had a similar experience of having difficulty creating genuine relationships. The quick growth of San Diego 20, also known as SD20s, helped me meet passionate people who became part of an internal volunteer staff group that assisted with curating events, activities, and initiatives bringing San Diegans in their 20s together for genuine fun and connections.

The Facebook group has been kept public since its launch allowing any and all (who agree to the group terms) to join in to help make our fast-growing world of digital friends into long-lasting on and off-line friends. 

 ◦ What were your initial goals when you started this community? 

• My initial goal for San Diego 20's was to create a platform that helps postgraduates and newcomers in San Diego easily make friends and build a network that supports their careers and social lives. In addition, it would be a space where San Diegans can primarily have fun together. Today, I still envision SD20s as a go-spot place where if you or anyone you know moving or living in San Diego, is looking for something to do, there’s someone out there in this group you can count on to help bring that idea or event to fruition.

2. Community Impact 

 ◦ How has the group chat evolved since its inception? 

• When I first launched the group in September 2023, I saw a tremendous amount of member growth. Initially, I put a lot of effort into guerrilla marketing across different platforms to attract members, but for a while, it remained relatively quiet. The turning point came on New Year's Eve, when the group surged in popularity— seemingly, many were looking to make new friends for the new year. This influx of members included people who shared my vision and wanted to contribute, leading them to reach out and join our staff team.

◦ Can you share a memorable story or outcome that has resulted from the group’s collaboration?

• Our first event at Dave & Buster's was a pivotal moment for San Diego 20’s. I had no idea what to expect, but the turnout exceeded capacity, highlighting the community's enthusiasm and desire for connection. The success of this event was not just about the numbers; it was about the lasting friendships that formed, extending beyond the event itself and into future gatherings. Furthermore, the group's increasing popularity caught the attention of sponsors, who reached out to support us. This has allowed us to organize even more ambitious social and professional mixers, blending fun with opportunities for networking and career development.

• Overall, SD20s is witnessing the formation of deep, genuine connections among members. It's been incredibly rewarding to see numerous small groups emerge, with individuals bonding over shared interests and experiences, to the extent that many are becoming best friends. Personally, this journey has been just as enriching for me; I've met so many people through the group who I now consider long-term friends. It's a testament to the power of SD20s in bringing people together and fostering friendships that extend well beyond our initial meetings and events.

3. Challenges and Solutions 

◦ What challenges have you faced while managing the group chat, and how have you addressed them?

• Managing the group chat for San Diego 20’s has presented several significant challenges, particularly with the influx of bots/scammers, individuals outside our target age range, and foreign visitors. These issues pose a threat to the safety and exclusiveness of our community, primarily focused on San Diego residents. To combat these challenges, we've leaned heavily on a dedicated team of moderators who work tirelessly to identify and ban those who do not adhere to our community guidelines. This approach is part of our long-term strategy to ensure that our events remain successful and our space safe for everyone. Additionally, we employ an auto admin bot to handle a large portion of this moderation work, with our team stepping in to manage any exceptions the bot can't handle.

 ◦ How do you ensure that the space remains safe and inclusive for all members?

• Ensuring the space remains safe and inclusive for all members is of utmost importance. While there have been calls for the page to become private as a solution to our challenges, I believe such a move would only serve as a temporary fix and could negatively impact the dynamic of our group. Going private would not only decrease page interaction but also remove us from Facebook suggestions, hindering our visibility and ability to attract new, genuine members. Moreover, staying public allows us to secure sponsorships and offers other benefits and opportunities from businesses for our members. Our focus remains on fostering a secure, welcoming environment through vigilant moderation and the thoughtful use of technology, ensuring San Diego 20's continues to be a vibrant and inclusive community.

4. Engagement and Activities

◦ What kind of activities or discussions typically take place in the group chat? How do you keep the members engaged and encourage active participation?

• Typically, the San Diego 20’s discussions involve people in the community introducing themselves and their interests. Within the Facebook group, there are separate group chats divided by different interests and hobbies. These were created to further connect those in the group that have similar interests in hopes of aiding those new and born-and-raised in San Diego to meet up and partake in their mutual interests. The San Diego 20’s team has taken it a step further by partnering with other businesses to rent venue spaces to hold mixers, post-hiking trip hangouts, and plan future big events. We are constantly working to keep our members engaged by hosting in-person events as consistently as possible. The team also encourages members to plan and host their events to further connect the community. 

 5. Growth and Development 

◦ How has the group chat contributed to the personal growth of its members?

• Allowing members to use the Chat features has given them the ability to connect to those in a more niche context. For those with specific interests or planned activities - this has been an exceptionally great feature to solidify plans and details without having to provide public exchange over the group’s main feed.

◦ Are there any plans to expand or evolve the group chat in the future?

• As San Diego 20’s continues to evolve, we believe that the group chat features will grow in a sense where community members feel more comfortable communicating frequently. Right now, we’ve seen an influx of members joining the groups, but not all necessary respond or communicate in the chat.

 6. Advice and Insights 

 ◦ What advice would you give to someone looking to start a similar group chat for their community? 

• We think that general group chats are great for starting conversations. If there are even greater niches that smaller groups want to participate in, they are welcome to create them on their own as sub-divisions within San Diego 20’s.

 ◦ What insights have you gained about the LGBTQIA+ community through your experience with this group? 

• Since we began the group, we’ve openly expressed that San Diego 20 is a safe space community for all and we do not discriminate against anyone unless they bring negativity or cyber-bullying to the community. We’ve been able to create events and group chats tailored towards LGBTQIA+ members who are actively looking for other ways of getting involved.

7. Vision and Aspirations

◦ Where do you see this group chat in the next five years? 

• In the next five years, San Diego 20’s is set to host larger events that aren’t tailored to only one thing - we plan to have multiple kinds of activities that draw diversity, inclusion, and uniqueness to the county. We hope to gather more sponsorships and business partnerships from all scales.

 ◦ How do you hope this group will impact the broader LGBTQIA+ community in San Diego? 

• We want to continue being a safe space group for our LGBTQIA+ members in San Diego - bringing together all to celebrate fun moments. The impact I hope to create with San Diego 20’s and the community is for them to have a place where they belong.

8. Personal Reflections 

◦ What has this experience taught you about leadership and community building?

This journey with the San Diego 20's admin team has imparted invaluable lessons on leadership and community building. One of the critical insights I've gained is the reality that it's impossible to satisfy everyone. This realization has underscored the importance of staying true to our core values and vision for the community, resisting the temptation to sway under external pressures that could lead us away from our authentic path. Throughout this process, I've become deeply acquainted with the diverse careers and personal backgrounds present within our community, enriching my understanding and appreciation for the varied life experiences that each member brings to the table.

Moreover, the experience has honed my adaptability, a crucial trait for any leader. Building a community from scratch requires a deep understanding of and empathy for others' schedules and life circumstances. I've learned to navigate situations beyond my control with grace and to introspect, becoming more aware of my character traits and how they influence my leadership style. A significant part of this journey has been learning to accept criticism gracefully and to implement necessary changes to San Diego 20's. This aspect, in particular, represented a steep learning curve for me. Today, I feel much more equipped to face challenges head-on, thanks to these lessons in leadership and community building.

◦ How has this group chat personally affected you and your view of the LGBTQIA+ community?

As a strong ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, I’m grateful to have been able to meet a lot of members who openly express and provide unique experiences to our group. Today, I’m proud to have brought on a business partner who’s openly gay and runs multiple businesses within San Diego. His expertise and commitment align with my goals for San Diego 20’s and will ultimately bring a positive impact for everyone involved in the group. 

Inclusivity and acceptance are an important part of our group and if we’re able to bring even the slightest bit of safety for our members, we’re all for it. I believe that making the chat has made me even more aware of the importance of creating spaces for these communities to come together, connect, and feel a sense of belonging in the masses. Everyone's journey is different and we want to make sure that every one of our members know that they have a community in which they can rely on.

Published By: Daily Gay News