293. Walking Away from Venture Capital with Sophie Vo

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 Success05:47 The VC Dilemma12:48 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics18:32 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: A Founder's Perspective24:16 The AI Coaching Experience29:52 Creating Human Connection in a Digital World39:25 The Roots of Distrust Among Women42:00 Navigating Female Networks and Support46:45 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership52:11 The Role of Coaching in Personal Growth56:37 Advice and Insights from the Journey