David Zhang of Interlunar tells us about the growth of his business and his passion for connecting with people.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a digital networking platform (with IRL benefits) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented folks! Looking for inspiration? Check out how David Zhang, the founder of Interlunar, gets it done like a boss.
Tell us the story behind your business.
I’m David, the founder of Interlunar, a digital transformation/innovation consultancy and design agency hybrid geared towards serving small business owners. I’m a proud Canadian (and by virtue, a hockey-lover: Go, Canucks, go!) and the pawrent of Barley, a Singapore Special canine who also happens to be the Chief Wellness Officer at our boutique.
What are some milestones or achievements you’re most proud of?
Bootstrapping Interlunar in 2021 meant leaving behind a comfortable corporate job and stepping into the vast unknown just two years after graduating from university. While earning our first clients’ trust, I pursued a FlexiMasters in Technopreneurship and Innovation at Nanyang Technological University. Nine months after incorporation and a handful of engagements running simultaneously, I could finally afford to start paying myself a salary and bring on two full-time employees.
In November 2023, Interlunar won the Spirit of Enterprise Neo-Startup Award. This accolade increased our exposure and helped us gain the trust of more prospective clients. By Q1 of 2024, we had served 50 regional clients, including startups, multinational corporations, non-profits, and government agencies.
I’m incredibly proud to have transformed Interlunar from a ‘one-person generalist’ to a team of interdisciplinary specialists across Southeast Asia. I’m super stoked to see where this journey takes us.
Share with us a setback that taught you a valuable lesson about running a business.
Initially, I struggled with our product-market fit and messaging, experienced client payment issues, lacked resources, and needed to build a track record. I had to identify where our target customers were, understand their pain points, find out how they liked to communicate, and determine their willingness to spend. I developed a pricing model to fit new clients better and allow us to work longer-term with them. I also used freemium technology solutions (including automation and AI tools) to address our clients’ needs.
As a result, our team has increased engagement, improving our reputation, referral network, and ability to attract new business.
I am currently exploring ways to effectively manage a remote team by building deeper relationships and trust, and implementing a more robust feedback system. I am also honing my skills to create more impactful and delightful client experiences that are sustainable in the long run.
Describe a typical day in your life and what you love most about it.
My typical morning routine involves two shots of espresso, walking my dog, preparing meeting notes, and leading conference calls. My first ‘full’ meal is lunch, as I follow intermittent fasting. In the afternoon, I continue with more calls, complete administrative tasks, and tick off items on my daily to-do list. In the evenings, I attend offline events, create project proposals, transfer my physical Post-it notes to my digital planner, schedule emails, send out DMs, make a checklist for the next day, walk my dog again, and finally wind down with a few articles, blog posts, or a book.
My passion is connecting with people on a deep level. I help others overcome personal and professional challenges daily, drawing from my experience running Interlunar and working with other clients. I can rest easy knowing clients are in a better place than before.
What’s your favourite book, movie, or TV show that has influenced your entrepreneurial mindset?
Earlier this year, I reread James Clear’s Atomic Habits. In it, he argues that small, positive changes in habits can lead to remarkable improvements over time. This philosophy reminds me that self-improvement works like compound interest.
I just finished Timothy Gallwey’s The Inner Game of Tennis. The book focuses on overcoming mental obstacles like self-doubt to achieve peak performance in any activity, not just on the tennis court.
I use sports management principles for Interlunar’s operations and prefer listening to business and self-improvement books audibly while commuting between meetings and settling household duties.
I’m a massive fan of Monocle for inspiration (I’m still sad the Monocle store at Holland Village closed!). I’m also an avid supporter of independent zines (check out our list of favourites on our blog).
Life pro tip: Use Libby. It’s free for everyone with a library card, and you’ll have access to endless e-books and audiobooks.
Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Here are seven off the top of my head:
1. Plan, plan, plan! Write a business plan, create monthly and quarterly objectives, keep yourself accountable, and always be ready to pivot as you test the market.
2. Set clear goals and determine boundaries (with family members, business partners, and collaborators).
3. Contact possible mentors, angel investors, and customers early. Be ready to ask clear, targeted questions to solicit good feedback.
4. If you’re bootstrapping and functioning as a team of one, take advantage of technology, particularly generative AI.
5. Find your tribe and build a community. The founder’s journey can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Participate in or organise bi-weekly lunch or dinner sessions. Attend community-building events for small businesses or your industry (or join Launchpad!).
6. Invest in a second and third monitor to enhance your productivity.
7. Lastly, check out Interlunar’s useful links for our recommended technologies and services.
Top tip for maintaining a good work-life balance?
I combine work, life, and play. I’ve recently begun to take a firm interest in climbing and tennis. On specific workdays, I co-work at my favourite bouldering gym. I play evening tennis with friends throughout the week. This practice helps me stay physically active and socialise despite a busy schedule.
Favourite thing to do on weekends?
I love island-hopping! Exploring different parts of Singapore with my dog helps me feel rejuvenated and expand my social circle. I’m also a patron of the arts, regularly attending brand launches, exhibitions, and theatrical performances.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself that not many people know.
I’m a huge foodie – I’ve got over 3,000 pins on my Google Maps, primarily food establishments. I want to expand my practical knowledge of gastronomy, particularly coffee, wine, and sake. I also love collecting vinyl records and finding hidden gems at markets and vintage stores.
Get in touch with David Zhang online.
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