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] 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. OCT 24

    CEO Series: Julia Hartz, Eventbrite

    This CEO leads the world’s largest ticketing platform, powering millions of events globally and driving substantial revenue—$326.1 million in 2023 alone. Julia Hartz, as the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, she took Eventbrite public, only to face a near-collapse when the pandemic brought in-person events to a sudden halt. Despite the unforeseen challenge, Julia steered Eventbrite through turbulent times, and the company continues to thrive today as a publicly listed entity. This resilience and leadership are why she’s our next feature in the Billion Dollar Moves CEO Series! TIMESTAMPS/KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 01:47 - Key Takeaway #1: Sometimes you need to just trust the flow of life 09:24 - Key Takeaway #2: Stay focused through the abundance of opportunities. 11:55 - Key Takeaway #3: Know your nutrients 13:22 - Nutrient 1 - Your First Customers 15:25 - Nutrient 2 - Capital but not using it 16:46 - Nutrient 3 – Talent as fuel 19:15 - Key Takeaway #4: Find the Right Habitat 20:51 - Key Takeaway #5: Cultivate Healthy Paranoia 26:14 - Some actionable questions for you About Julia Julia Hartz is an American entrepreneur, investor, and the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, a global ticketing and event technology platform. She is known for her leadership of Eventbrite during the COVID-19 pandemic and empowering women in the technology industry. Sources: Eventbrite ft. Julia Hartz - A thriving events company took 14 years to build and nearly disappeared in 14 days | Crucible Moments How I Built This with Guy Raz: Eventbrite - Julia Hartz Julia Hartz: Crucial Startup Nutrients Stanford Seminar - Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders: Kevin and Julia Hartz of Eventbrite What Eventbrite Did Early to Create ‘Sustainable’ Success | Review First Round - 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

    31 min

  6. OCT 17

    The Power of Influence & The Art of Partnerships w/ Glenda McNeal, American Express

    Last month at INBOUND 2024 in Boston, we took the main stage with Glenda McNeal, Chief Partner Officer at American Express, to explore how partnerships are transforming innovation and driving sustained business growth. In this episode, we dive into how American Express builds and leverages its global strategic partnerships to enhance customer value and stay competitive. Tune in to discover key insights into successful partnership strategies and learn how to create relationships that lead to extraordinary results. TIMESTAMPS/KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 03:20 - Quick rapid fire with Glenda 04:13 - Skill sets learned since childhood: communication, resilience & values 07:57 - The power of influence 09:37 - Deep focus on Gen Z and millennials as consumer targets; Formula One 13:44 - Strategy to understand Gen Z and millennials as consumers: AI tools and data analysis 15:28 - Lessons learned building a strategic partnership across the world 18:02 - Advice to smaller brands to build business relationships 20:42 - The next trend to watch out for 22:59 - The art of partnership: It takes a long time to build it. It takes seconds to actually lose it.  25:16 - Call to action for growth leaders; being centered as who I am 28:53 - One final takeaway: THE Billion Dollar Move About Glenda McNeal Glenda McNeal is the company’s first Chief Partner Officer. She defines American Express’ partnership strategy and leads key strategic initiatives and negotiations for the company across travel, technology, retail, media, sports, and entertainment. She leverages partnerships to bring innovation and additional value to American Express’ suite of products, services, capabilities, and experiences that engage customers and drive generational relevance of American Express Membership. Glenda has a track record of success in managing complex global relationships, negotiating critical partner agreements, and leading business development initiatives that drive growth and innovation. She previously served as President of Strategic Partnerships. Prior to this role, she was Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Global Client Group, where she drove transformative outcomes for both direct-to-consumer and B2B companies. She is a member of the American Express Executive Committee and is an Officer of the company. She serves on the boards of Nordstrom, Inc. and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and is on the Board of Councilors for the USC Marshall School of Business.  FOLLOW GLENDA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glendamcneal - Original Video: Inbound - Building Bridges: The Power of Partnership - 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

    33 min

  7. OCT 10

    Data & Disruption: From MySQL to Truecaller w/ Tom Henrikkson, OpenOcean

    In this episode, we sit down with Tom Henriksson, General Partner at OpenOcean, to dive into the world of venture capital and scaling groundbreaking software companies. From his pivotal role in growing MySQL into a billion-dollar exit to leading Nokia’s mobile ad business, Tom shares invaluable insights on what it takes to navigate the competitive VC landscape and drive success for data-driven software companies reshaping industries today. We also explore the unique challenges of venture investing, the critical importance of scaling early, and even how fatherhood has influenced his approach to leadership. If you're curious about building category-defining startups in Europe or just craving an inspiring conversation with one of the best in the game, this episode is for you! TIMESTAMPS / KEY TAKEAWAYS 0:00 - Intro 01:49 - Parenting: risk taking and philosophy as a VC 05:17 - “Entrepreneurship is the worst thing that you can do”; the evolution of entrepreneurship in Finland 09:10 - How to go on after failing first four investments 12:38 - Investing in software; MySQL 15:44 - Joining Nokia back in 2002; what made Nokia ahead of the others? 20:38 - Jyri Engerstrom & the innovator’s dilemma; Podia, the now Twitter 25:01 - From Nokia to OpenOcean 30:20 - Venture is tough business - how do we win in venture? 33:12 - Why invest out of Finland and operate out of Finland? 35:10 - Outlook for data software; the AI craze 38:03 - An anti-portfolio 39:52 - Billion Dollar Questions About Tom Henriksson Tom is a General Partner at OpenOcean and passionate about data-intensive software that is quick to love and built on strong technology. He is a big believer in accurate consumer profiling, marketing technologies, and intelligent automation of the enterprise. After recently driving strongly profitable exits for OpenOcean in Truecaller, LoopMe, Passfort, and TapDaq, Tom now holds board seats in Cambri, Leadoo Marketing Technologies, Operations1, and Workfellow. Tom’s previous experience includes investing in MySQL Ab, running Nokia’s Corporate BD, and launching and leading Nokia Interactive Advertising – the leading first-generation premium mobile ad-network. Tom scaled the business from scratch to $50 million in revenues in less than three years, including the acquisition of Boston-based Enpocket Inc. FOLLOW TOM: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-henriksson-63532/ - 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

    45 min

  8. OCT 3

    CEO Series: Julie Wainwright, The RealReal

    In today’s episode, we are amplifying the story of a resilient and visionary entrepreneur, Julie Wainwright. Known for her dramatic turnaround from overseeing the epic failure of Pets.com during the dot-com bust to creating the billion-dollar luxury consignment powerhouse, The RealReal, Julie’s journey is an inspiring tale of innovation, resilience, and strategic brilliance. And while we'll also talk about her departure from the reveal and the challenges reported today – it is unquestionable that her journey from absolute failure to growing and scaling is a testament to her resilience and innovation. This is why she's next in the Billion Dollar Moves CEO series. This conversation explores the valuable lessons from Julie’s storied career, her fearless approach to failure, and her bold steps in founding Ahara, her latest venture in personalized nutrition at age 67. Get ready to uncover actionable insights on turning setbacks into comebacks, understanding untapped markets, and always putting the customer first. Let’s get started! Timestamps / Key Takeaways 00:00 - Intro 02:30 - Key Takeaway 1: Failure is just the cost of success— be one with it 07:27 - Key Takeaway 2: Just because it’s never been done before, doesn’t mean it can’t be done 11:56 - Key Takeaway 3: Just get started. Do the damn thing, expand and stay focused. 14:50 - Key Takeaway 4: “Your customers vote everyday with their purchases. Pay attention”. Customer-Centric Approach 18:35 - Key Takeaway 5: “Your business is an opportunity for you to make an impact.”  23:06 - Post-note: Initially successful, The RealReal's market cap dropped significantly - why? About Julie Wainwright Julie Wainwright began her illustrious career at Clorox as one of their first undergraduate hires in brand management, providing her with a solid foundation in profit and loss management and data analysis. Transitioning to the tech industry at the young age of 25, she joined Software Publishing amid the competitive landscape of Microsoft and Visicalc. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, Julie volunteered to handle international operations, leading efforts to establish international distribution from London by the age of 27. Her early experiences laid the groundwork for a dynamic career characterized by innovation and leadership. Sources: #80 - Julie Wainwright - Founder & CEO of The RealReal and Former Founder of Pets.com How Julie Wainwright Built The RealReal To Be A Billion-Dollar Business | Forbes Greycroft Co-Founder Ian Sigalow on Investing $1 Billion Right Now | StrictlyVC Download - 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

    29 min
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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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