293. Walking Away from Venture Capital with Sophie Vo

Deconstructor of Fun

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Vo, studio founder, podcast host, and now the creator of Orin Retreats, to unpack why she walked away from the startup rat race to build something intentionally small, sustainable, and soul-aligned.

We talk about the version of success that nearly broke her, why the VC model fails most founders, and how depth, not scale, became her new metric for impact. If you’ve ever questioned the path you’re on, this conversation might just reframe what “winning” really looks like.

00:00 Redefining Success

05:47 The VC Dilemma

12:48 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics

18:32 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: A Founder's Perspective

24:16 The AI Coaching Experience

29:52 Creating Human Connection in a Digital World

39:25 The Roots of Distrust Among Women

42:00 Navigating Female Networks and Support

46:45 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership

52:11 The Role of Coaching in Personal Growth

56:37 Advice and Insights from the Journey