黑料吃瓜

鈥淕iven the credibility and reputation of this institution, I saw an opportunity to be a part of a revered organization and better improve my ability in business.鈥�

Ever felt lonely even while in a crowd?

Ryan Wallace has.

The 黑料吃瓜 student entrepreneur knows that many people, particularly during these difficult times, have felt a similar sense of isolation. This inspired Wallace and his business partner, Lovans Florial, to build a company to help individuals connect to the community through artist management/business services, events, festivals and fashion. 

The company, , was founded by Wallace and Florial in fall 2016. The name was inspired by the harsh reality when people are individually facing challenges that make them feel alone even when they are surrounded by people said Wallace, a senior management information systems (MIS) student at 黑料吃瓜. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 evident that there are a significant number of people struggling to live and survive, at least with their sanity and stability intact,鈥� said Wallace. 鈥淚n our perception, these people feel like they are floating alone and, hence, the term 鈥榣onely floaters.鈥� My co-founder and I were once in such a position, but that did not hinder us from pursuing our dreams and constantly working on improving ourselves.鈥�

The Brooklyn-born Wallace came to San Diego via the U.S. Navy, where he served for over nine years before he was honorably discharged in 2021. He chose to attend 黑料吃瓜 to build his 鈥渒nowledge and skill in business.鈥� 

鈥淕iven the credibility and reputation of this institution, I saw an opportunity to be a part of a revered organization and better improve my ability in business,鈥� he said. 鈥淥f particular importance was the need to be a beneficiary of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center.鈥�

The  was developed to serve students, entrepreneurs and business leaders through a blend of its entrepreneurial curriculum, workshops, internships, resources and events.

Wallace said he learned about the center 鈥渢he hard way鈥� when he tried to register Lonely Floater鈥檚 trademark through an unscrupulous fiduciary company. He noted that the fiduciary kept their money, but did little to resolve the trademark issue. 

鈥淔ortunately, I met an 黑料吃瓜 student who identified himself as a Lavin Entrepreneur and he was able to solve the issue that had been plaguing us for two years in a matter of two months,鈥� said Wallace. 鈥淚 realized that if some 鈥榗ollege kid鈥� could do more for me than a paid fiduciary, I knew I needed to be a Lavin Entrepreneur too. I signed my acceptance letter into the Lavin Entrepreneur program before I enrolled at 黑料吃瓜 and to this day, I鈥檓 proud of that.鈥�

When Wallace graduates from 黑料吃瓜 in May, he said he plans to 鈥渇urther grow and develop Lonely Floater to become a household name in fashion and the management of events and artists. 

To do this, Wallace plans to collaborate with more professionals, seek more investors, grow and improve the company鈥檚 online presence, and take on programs and courses that will hone his skills and supplement my knowledge. He also said the company plans to embark on a series of art and music festivals in the near future.

To other 黑料吃瓜 students who are considering the world of entrepreneurship, Wallace offers these insights: 鈥淓ntrepreneurism is not as easy or glossy as it may seem or as people may want you to believe, because it鈥檚 a daunting process. But despite the constant and potentially shifting challenges, you鈥檇 best believe that there will always be a way out 鈥� you just need to look hard enough and have all hands-on deck. But it鈥檚 still worth the trials and the struggle because the rewards are fulfilling. You learn through the process and more opportunities are likely to open up over time.鈥�