Brian Tran is a multi-hyphenate founder, designer, and community builder whose journey runs from Houston to Pandora, Kleiner Perkins, and an eight-year startup ride focused on LGBTQ+ connection.
Jim and Brian unpack coming out at 13, landing a first VC check in 15 minutes, surviving pivots (including web3), the painful decision to shut down—and the hopeful next chapter: SE / “sector,” a platform creating intergenerational connections for LGBTQ+ industry leaders.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 - Introduction
0:36 - Meet Brian Tran—founder, designer, connector
2:20 - Houston roots & coming out at 13
6:36 - Why he builds LGBTQ+ community products
7:05 - How Jim & Brian met; authenticity, connection, community
9:13 - College pivots: journalism → film theory → entrepreneurship
14:26 - First roles: Pandora product design → Kleiner Perkins (VC)
16:50 - What VC taught him (scale, stakes, networks)
18:20 - Side app to funded venture
19:52 - The 15-minute pitch that landed the first check
21:29 - Angel investing 101: what investors really back
24:10 - Eight years of pivots
30:13 - Why the web3 chapter was the toughest
31:54 - 2025 return to hospitality; real-estate hurdles
33:34 - Building a membership without a space; sponsor headwinds; shutdown
35:08 - Founder reality: failure, resilience, learning
39:03 - The next chapter: SE/“sector” for LGBTQ+ leaders
41:57 - Mentorship as a two-way street
44:02 - Closing & where to find Brian
CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/
Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/
