Billion Dollar Moves™ with Sarah Chen-Spellings | Global Venture Capital

Sarah Chen-Spellings
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Billion Dollar Moves™ with Sarah Chen-Spellings | Global Venture Capital

Lead, build, and invest better. Join award-winning entrepreneur and investor Sarah Chen-Spellings as she travels across the globe in search of what she calls the 'unexpected leader'. Every week, we deconstruct the Billion Dollar Moves of unicorn founders & funders; many of them underestimated long before they became iconic. Many of them, unexpected leaders, just like you. This show is about unfiltered conversations about success, failure, fear, and courage in the pursuit of the next big thing in tech and venture. Billion Dollar Moves is proud to be part of the Hubspot Podcast Network with 10 million downloads a month as a group.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    [REPLAY] Rise from Failure: Living Your Purpose w/ Suneel Gupta, Best-Selling Author, Everyday Dharma

    As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the habits that have shaped our journey. This week, we are revisiting an episode that dives deep into these themes with Suneel Gupta. Once labeled the "face of failure" in *The New York Times,* Suneel turned his setbacks into powerful lessons, going on to become the founding CEO of RISE, a wellness company named App of the Year by Apple. Now a bestselling author, renowned speaker, and Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, Suneel studies the habits of extraordinary individuals to help us all lift our performance and deepen our sense of purpose. In this replay, Suneel shares actionable insights on building resilience, finding purpose, and creating habits that sustain us—perfect reflections to carry into the new year. Tune in for an inspiring conversation to help you close out this year strong and step into the next with clarity and intention. TIMESTAMP 0:00 Intro 04:00 The face of failure on The New York Times 06:46 The alignment and arrival fallacy 08:15 Behind the success with Rise app 11:24 Deeper questions from the next generation: meaning or money? 15:30 Burnout among successful people 17:13 The role of resting and paradox of productivity 19:55 The need to perform and living up to expectations 21:43 Chisel back to dharma through questions 26:07 The struggle to monetise while living up to purpose 29:32 Expressions of dharma 34:18 Work and play as adults 37:29 Jealousy as an indicator of your dharma 40:28 Takes on racial hate and identity in US 43:01 Billion Dollar Questions About Suneel Gupta “Today I write, speak and teach about the changing world of work and what we do internally in order to succeed externally.” Once seen as the “face of failure” in the New York Times, Suneel Gupta understands that the road to success is not always smooth. Suneel learned from his mistakes and went on to become a founding CEO of RISE, a breakthrough wellness company named App of the Year by Apple. As an author and visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School, Suneel studies the most extraordinary people on the planet to discover and share simple, actionable habits to lift our performance and deepen our daily sense of purpose. His work has been featured by major outlets including CNBC, TED, and the New York Times.  Now a bestselling author, renowned speaker, Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, and host of a global Documentary Series, Suneel studies, discovers and shares simple, actionable habits that lift our performance and deepen our state of well-being. FOLLOW SUNEEL: Website | https://www.suneelgupta.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneelkgupta/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/suneelgupta/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    49 min

  2. DEC 5

    Fishburners’ $2Bn Impact: Building Australia’s Startup Ecosystem w/ Martin Karafilis, Fishburners

    This week we’re diving into the journey of Martin Karafilis, CEO of Fishburners, Australia's largest and longest-standing startup community. Since 2011, Fishburners has supported over 45,000 entrepreneurs and facilitated more than $2 billion in capital raised.  In our conversation, Martin shares his insights on Australia's evolving venture landscape, the importance of community in startup success, and why global ambitions are essential for local founders. Tune in for stories about pitching at Fishburners’ iconic events, investing in women founders, and lessons learned from building a tech startup to exit! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 00:00 - Intro 02:06 - The journey of Fishburners and its impact on Australian startups 04:21 - Takes on women-led startups; Why investing in women founders is a smart business decision. 06:41 - Australia’s startup ecosystem: challenges, opportunities, and the rise of domestic capital flow 13:01 - Lessons from a founder-turned-investor; blooming tech scene in Australia startups 17:44 - Importance of community; success stories of Fishburners 21:29 - Martin’s journey as a founder: from funding to exits 30:20 - Billion Dollar Questions About Martin Karafilis Critically acclaimed speaker and author with a wealth of knowledge across technology, business, startups, entrepreneurship and investment. As featured in publications such as Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider, The Financial Review. Having founded multiple companies, scaled operations globally, and developed some of the worlds most innovative products, Martin is widely known as one of Australia's leading serial entrepreneurs and business advisors.  Martin maintains a unique lens on end to end operations leveraging both his technical and non-technical backgrounds. A leader for innovation who has a proven track record in strategic & operational planning, sales growth & customer acquisition, capital raising & funding, product design & management, people & culture, marketing, branding & public relations. Striving to drive emerging technologies, Martin uses his experience from large global corporates and growing startups to introduce world leading technology on local, regional and global levels. Martin follows a strict range of core values when carrying out business with a strong focus on creating environmental and social impact, ultimately trying to shape the world for the better through technology and innovation. Martin has strong expertise in growing businesses and building exceptional teams with a deep understanding of how political, cultural, social, economic and technological impacts shape international markets. FOLLOW MARTIN https://www.instagram.com/martinkarafilis/ https://www.instagram.com/martinkarafilis/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    38 min

  3. NOV 28

    Building Impact-Driven Hospitality: Shruti Shibulal On Balancing Profit And Purpose

    Today’s episode of #BillionDollarMoves is truly special—the first-ever brother-sister co-hosted episode on this how!  Sarah and Brian sit down with Shruti Shibulal, the visionary CEO of Tamara Leisure Experiences. From her roots in the Infosys legacy to building a trailblazing hospitality brand, Shruti shares her insights on scaling a purpose-driven business, leading with impact, and redefining sustainability in the luxury travel sector. Tamara Leisure Experiences has reported a threefold increase in revenue and is aiming for a 50% growth in its property count within the next few years. This is a conversation about shaping the future of tourism with innovation and purpose - you won’t want to miss it! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 2:01 - Action in Shruti’s kitchen: Food, tradition, and family values 11:44 - Serving the Ornam Sadhya; food and sustainability 14:17 - From India to US, Shruti’s first touch of entrepreneurship 17:36 - Influence of her parents - S.D. & Kumari Shibulal 20:27 - How Shruti build her own path as the second generation; “We need to be thoughtful in the way we’re building,” 21:56 - The 3Ps - people, planet, and profitability 25:22 - Why Tamara? Building upon concepts of Eco-Tourism 29:39 - Shruti’s leadership and the Shibula family’s philanthropic initiatives 32:07 - Key challenges in the hospitality industry 37:01 - What is success for Shruti Shibulal? Job creation as one tangible way for change 40:23 - Takes on global view of India’s food and culture 45:29 - Sambal Survey 48:15 - Billion Dollar Questions About Shruti Shruti Shibulal is CEO and Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences. She strives to make Tamara synonymous with responsible tourism by incorporating principles of sustainability into the development and operations of each of Tamara's properties and creating impactful employment within their respective communities. Tamara operates resorts and hotels in South India, and has interests in Germany as well. Shruti is a Trustee of the Advaith Foundation and SD Foundation, organizations involved in providing educational opportunities and healthcare assistance to underprivileged sections of society. She is also a Trustee of WEP - Women's Education Project, which focuses on educating and uplifting young women from vulnerable backgrounds. Shruti is on the Governing Board of ATREE - Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment. In 2019, Shruti launched SAATHIYA - a hospitality skilling program which enables young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to become employable within the restaurant and hotel industries. Focussing on industry-relevant skilling, building careers, and creating a community, SAATHIYA has already shown positive results in improving the lives and prospects of its graduates. —  FOLLOW SHRUTI: https://www.instagram.com/shruti_shibulal/ https://tamaraleisureexperiences.com/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves   FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    56 min

  4. NOV 21

    From Breaking Into Y Combinator to Reshaping A $58Bn Furniture Resale Industry w/ Reham Fagiri, AptDeco

    From Breaking Into Y Combinator to Reshaping A $58Bn Furniture Resale Industry w/ Reham Fagiri, AptDeco In this episode, we’re joined by Reham Fagiri, co-founder and CEO of AptDeco, the trailblazing furniture resale platform that’s transforming a $58 billion industry. What started as Reham’s frustration with selling furniture on Craigslist has grown into a powerhouse business with over $100 million in sales, innovative logistics, and booming B2B growth. As the first Black female founder to break into Y Combinator, Reham has raised more than $70 million while building a platform that’s redefining how we buy and sell furniture. From her beginnings at Goldman Sachs to launching a game-changing startup, this conversation is packed with billion-dollar insights and inspiration. Don’t miss it! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 01:50 - Billion Dollar Question 04:15 - From business school to Goldman Sachs to the conceptualize of AptDeco 08:57 - The Co-Founder relationship with Kalam Davis 13:53 - Deficiency in the now, $58Bn furniture resale industry; breaking through Y Combinator 18:48 - Growth hacking; the journey to hit the J-curve; AptDeco’s in-time delivery 26:39 - The explosive growth between 2014-2017; unsuccessful attempt to raise Series A 29:19 - Expanding through B2B partnerships; building warehouse return solutions for brands 35:54 - Key factors to raise $19M capital; being the first black female to break into Y Combinator 41:30 - What needs to change in venture ecosystem for minority founders? 44:20 - Final message to founders alike ABOUT REHAM Reham Fagiri is the co-founder and CEO of AptDeco, the leading furniture resale platform that makes buying and selling furniture easy, efficient, and sustainable. AptDeco, built the first of its kind suite of resale technology and logistics solutions tailored to the furniture industry. Prior to starting AptDeco Reham worked at Goldman Sachs in various engineering and management positions focusing on designing, building, and launching new software applications for the firm. Reham holds a BSc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania. She has served on the Fast Company Impact Council and Rewriting the Code advisory board, which works to advance women in business and tech. FOLLOW REHAM https://www.linkedin.com/in/reham-fagiri-97683b1/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves   FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    48 min

  5. NOV 15

    [REPLAY] Why Serial Entrepreneurs Make Top VCs: Google & Groupon Exits; Ōura & Kickstarter Investments w/ Jyri Engeström

    In this replay episode, we’re thrilled to spotlight Jyri Engeström, a serial entrepreneur whose early ventures led to successful exits to Google and Groupon. Now a General Partner at Yes VC, the fund he co-founded with Caterina Fake of Flickr, Jyri continues to shape the future of startups. He's also investing in bold new ventures alongside Petteri Koponen at Lifeline Ventures, one of Finland’s leading VC firms. Join us as we explore the cutting-edge opportunities shaping tomorrow, insights from Jyri’s time in Silicon Valley, and why Finland could soon be a global startup hub! Watch the full video here. TIMESTAMP / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 02:41 - The Innovator’s Dilemma, Sociology, & bi-continental life in Finland & the US 06:20 - Working in Nokia to founding Jaiku 08:56 - Google’s acquisition of Jaiku 12:52 - Selling Ditto to Groupon; “I knew to kill the app immediately after the acquisition,” 16:09 - Lessons learned as a serial entrepreneur; leadership 19:01 - New chapters with True Ventures and Yes VC; patterns of success in portfolio  25:04 - Yes VC’s super early stage approach; thoughts on legacy 32:06 - Identifying the potential unicorns; how to be curiosity-driven, continuously 37:00 - Minting the unicorns & the anti-portfolios 39:37 - The founder product fit; Petteri Koponen’s pattern of success 44:48 - Raising children; parallel entrepreneurship 49:58 - The liquidity & exit landscape and deal flow in Finland today 54:11 - Jyri's trajectory for the next five years; messages to global investors 56:29 - Billion Dollar Questions - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves   FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    59 min

  6. NOV 14 · BONUS

    Women, Wealth, & Legacy: Purposeful Investing in AI w/ Jack Selby, Thiel Capital

    In this episode, we're diving into an engaging, power-packed conversation with Jack Selby, an investment leader of "PayPal Mafia" fame. Joining us from Beyond The Billion family office event in Singapore earlier this year, Jack brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on venture capital and film production alike. Join us as we discuss everything from strategic investing to the intersections of art and finance, exploring the bold moves that define Jack’s career. Timestamps / Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 1:49 - Wealth & Legacy: Investing in Art and Film 4:48 - The Significance of Purposeful Investing 6:08 - The Rising Wave of AI Technologies and Women in Tech 8:15 - The Catalytic Impact of Capital: Work with Thiel Capital About Jack Selby Jack Selby is a prominent venture capitalist and independent film producer known for his early work with PayPal and ongoing leadership roles in tech and investment. He gained fame as one of the original “PayPal Mafia” members, having helped scale PayPal before its sale to eBay in 2002. After the acquisition, Selby co-founded the macro hedge fund Clarion Capital Management with Peter Thiel. Selby now leads Thiel Capital, Thiel's Los Angeles-based family office, from Arizona, and he also heads AZ-VC, a venture capital firm he launched in 2021 to invest in high-potential tech startups in Arizona. In addition to his investment career, Selby has a passion for film production, with credits as an independent producer on movies like Memory starring Jessica Chastain and His Three Daughters starring Elizabeth Olsen, showcasing his interests beyond the tech world. His diversified work across venture capital, finance, and film illustrates his adaptability and broad industry interests, influencing both business and media landscapes. FOLLOW JACK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackselby/ - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves   FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    12 min

  7. NOV 7

    “I Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business—and Then Got Fired” w/ Mary Seats ' Mz Skittlez"

    Get ready for a story that redefines resilience. This week, we're sitting down with Mary Seats, aka Mz Skittlez, the unstoppable entrepreneur who transformed a $300 hustle into the multimillion-dollar fashion brand, Cupcake Mafia. Mary's story defies the conventional startup path, and that’s exactly what makes it worth hearing. From building a multimillion-dollar brand to being fired from her own company, Mary has seen it all. After losing control of Cupcake Mafia, she bounced back stronger than ever, reclaiming her brand and launching The Icing Agency, a marketing powerhouse that has since grossed over $16 million. Her journey isn’t just about personal triumph—it's about inspiring all of us to invest in women-led businesses and redefine what’s possible. Buckle up for an episode that will challenge your patterns of success and leave you fired up to make your own #BillionDollarMoves! TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 02:07 - Billion Dollar Questions with Mz Skittlez 07:46 - The $50K order that led to “you have to find a distribution company” 09:50 - From a dream-come-true to “you no longer own this company” 15:54 - 3 lessons learned: Involve your lawyer, understand your value, and plan your exits 20:39 - Mz Skittlez on pivoting: what moves the cash register and my customers’ experience? 24:14 - The Icing Agency: the upward spiral to $16 million in revenue 27:23 - Tips on building an effective brand and separating from personality: ‘Value over Price’ 30:53 - The Bakery CoWork: creating a space for all women regardless of background 34:15 - Strategies that allows The Bakery CoWork to strive: #1 building a community 36:22 - The Bakery CoWork: #2 Create multiple revenue streams from a single space 38:02 - People-centered businesses: is it truly scalable? 41:18 - Mz Skittlez’s Billion Dollar Move and legacy About Mary Seats 'Mz Skittlez' Meet Mary Seats, aka Mz Skittlez, a dynamic force in the business world. From marketing genius to resilient founder, she's made her mark. Despite facing challenges with her multimillion-dollar brand, Cupcake Mafia, Mary's resilience shone through. After setbacks and even dismissal from her own company, she didn't give up. Instead, she bounced back stronger. Fuelled by determination, Mary orchestrated a remarkable comeback. She not only regained control of her company but also launched The Icing Agency, a marketing powerhouse that grossed over $16 million. But Mary's impact goes beyond business success. Passionate about empowering women, she founded The Bakery Cowork, the largest female-focused co-working space in the U.S. Mary Seats's story is one of resilience, ambition, and lifting others up. She continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, proving setbacks are just stepping stones to success. Mz Skittlez is shaping the business landscape with her fearless approach, leaving an indelible mark on entrepreneurship. FOLLOW MZ SKITTLEZ https://www.instagram.com/mzskittlez/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-seats-aa38419a https://www.youtube.com/@thesecretrecipetv - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    47 min

  8. OCT 31

    Unicorns, Legacy, and The Billion-Dollar Boom: Inside Australia’s Venture Revolution

    In this episode, we’re thrilled to bring you an inspiring panel discussion from The Billion Dollar Series by Beyond The Billion, in partnership with Dell Technologies. On this global tour to fuel women-led innovation, we dive into Australia’s rapidly evolving venture landscape with some of the country’s top industry leaders. Featuring Carol Schwartz, Director of Trawalla Group; Alex Schuman, CEO of Carla Zampatti; Kristy Chong, Founder of Modibodi; and Rick Baker, Co-Founder of Blackbird VC — this powerhouse panel explores why the coming decade could be a game-changer for venture in Australia. We discussed why investing in women-led businesses is both smart and strategic, and how Australia’s unique mix of patience and passion is powering some of the most exciting opportunities in venture capital today. Tune in for insights that could inspire your own #BillionDollarMoves! TIMESTAMPS/KEY TAKEAWAYS 00:00 - Intro 02:59 - Rick Baker: Growth of the Australian venture industry over the last 12-13 years; the ongoing challenges in funding women entrepreneurs 07:00 - Carol Schwartz: Opportunities for female entrepreneurs within family offices 11:00 - Kristy Chong: Evolution from founder to investor 15:11 - Challenges face by female founders in scaling businesses 18:22 - Alex Schuman: Reestablishing the business based on their mother’s legacy with her sisters 21:29 - Challenges in scaling a vertically integrated business in Australia 23:39 - Diversity criticism against Blackbird and the VC ecosystem; The “Kiki incident” and commitment to improved diversity 32:56 - Shift from personal direct investments to seeking women-managed funds 39:39 - Track record issues for women leaving large VC firms; achieving significant portfolio support for female founders 43:15 - Gender bias in the venture ecosystem; maintain perseverance admidst the hardship. 48:41 - Government’s role in supporting diversity and entrepreneurship 54:09 - Industry bias and potential within aged care 57:12 - Gender investment gaps and how female founders could persevere; industry-wide programs: Giants, Foundry, and positive trends in female-led companies 1:01:15 - Key takeaways Full event recap: The Billion Dollar Brunch™ (Sydney 2024 Edition) About Our Guests Carol Schwartz AO Founder, Female Led Ventures Kristy Chong OAM Founder, Modibodi Alex Schuman CEO, Carla Zampatti Rick Baker Co-Founder, Blackbird VC - PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://billiondollarmoves.com Watch on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/sarahchenglobal Join the community: https://sarah-chen.ck.page/billiondollarmoves FOLLOW SARAH: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahchenglobal

    1h 6m
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About

Lead, build, and invest better. Join award-winning entrepreneur and investor Sarah Chen-Spellings as she travels across the globe in search of what she calls the 'unexpected leader'. Every week, we deconstruct the Billion Dollar Moves of unicorn founders & funders; many of them underestimated long before they became iconic. Many of them, unexpected leaders, just like you. This show is about unfiltered conversations about success, failure, fear, and courage in the pursuit of the next big thing in tech and venture. Billion Dollar Moves is proud to be part of the Hubspot Podcast Network with 10 million downloads a month as a group.

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