I sat down with Felina from Startup San Diego with Hera Hub for a conversation about the journey behind Hydrostasis and we spoke about where the idea came from, what it took to get here, and how much of that I couldn't have done alone.

One of the things that came up naturally was how much the San Diego startup community has shaped this whole experience. From Hera Hub to Hera Labs to Ad Astra, every room I walked into pushed me in ways I wasn't expecting. It wasn’t just on the business side but on understanding who I am as a founder and what I actually stand for. That kind of ecosystem is rare, and I don't take it for granted.

What I hope lands for anyone watching is the advice piece toward the end. Find your people, trust the process, keep going. The challenges don't get smaller. They just get bigger and scarier. And having the right people around you when that happens makes all the difference.

Thank you to Felina and the Startup San Diego team for the warm conversation and for everything you do to support founders in this city.

Listen to the full conversation here

Note: Youtube video published 2019

https://herahub.com/blog/interview-with-debbie-k-chen-phd-founder-and-ceo-of-hydrostasis/