Code, Capital & Community: Stella Han’s Bold Build from First Deal to Fractional CEO

In this episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones sits down with Stella Han, CEO of Fractional, to unpack her remarkable evolution from software engineer to real estate investor to VC-backed tech founder. Stella shares how childhood weekends spent painting Bay Area flips with her parents unknowingly laid the foundation for a platform that’s now helping thousands co-own property—and increasingly, businesses. From losing her first deal and EMD to raising $15M from investors like Will Smith and Kevin Durant, Stella walks us through the tactical pivots, product market fit wins, and leadership lessons powering her startup’s momentum.Together, Brenda and Stella unpack:From Flips to Fractional – Stella’s path from out-of-state investing rookie to building a platform that helps everyday people co-own real estate and business assets.Capital Raising Chaos – Losing her first deal, rallying 40+ friends for $1M+, and learning how storytelling—not spreadsheets—wins trust.Startup Speed & Storytelling – How Y Combinator shaped Fractional’s DNA and why founders must craft a narrative that earns both dollars and devotion.B2B2C Pivot – Why Stella shifted focus to operators with built-in networks and how that change unlocked scale, compliance, and impact.Bold CEO Moves – Team-building through off-sites, managing motivation across a remote team, and bringing on the former SEC counsel to safeguard trust.Beyond Real Estate – From real estate to candy stores to planes—how Fractional is enabling the co-ownership generation.If you're a founder, investor, or operator wondering how to build with speed, soul, and scale—this is your blueprint. Hit play and take notes.