Meet Sarah Chen-Spellings: investor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Beyond The Billion—a movement driving capital to female-founded companies. From her Malaysian roots to writing multi-million-dollar checks, Sarah shares how she’s breaking generational cycles and rewriting the rules of legacy and leadership.

In this conversation, we dive into:

✨ Her mother’s influence on her drive
✨ Why women still struggle to get funding—and how she’s changing that
✨ What investors really look for in a pitch
✨ How to own your legacy—even if you're just starting out

We also get real about awkwardness, networking, and social media… and yes, she calls me out (in the best way!).

If you're building a business, raising capital, or dreaming big—this episode will fire you up. 💥

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:02] How Jasmine and Sarah met: From Instagram DMs to SXSW keynote magic

[00:04] The generational story: Sarah’s mother’s rise from small-town Malaysia to CEO

[00:07] Why Beyond The Billion matters: Bridging the gender funding gap

[00:10] How to network intentionally (and why stalking amazing women online works!)

[00:14] Advice for female founders seeking funding—and how to pitch investors with confidence

[00:18] The power of partnership: Sarah’s personal and professional lessons on support

[00:23] Biggest myths about women in leadership and money

[00:28] How to think beyond success and start building a legacy

Listen to Related Episodes:

• A Playbook for First-Time Founders with Nancy Twine
• What Investors Are Really Looking For with Kim Perell

Connect With Sarah Chen-Spellings:

Sarah Chen-Spellings is the co-founder of Beyond The Billion, a global consortium dedicated to mobilizing over $1 billion in capital toward women-founded companies. Born and raised in Malaysia, Sarah’s journey took her from corporate boardrooms to the frontlines of venture capital, where she’s become a fierce advocate for underrepresented founders. Named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” Sarah’s work has reshaped conversations around gender, funding, and innovation worldwide.

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader. 📧

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode550

Ready to create a powerful brand, high-level marketing strategies, and build systems that scale alongside a group of talented 7-figure entrepreneurs?

I’m hosting a mastermind for 7-figure entrepreneurs who want to build their business to 8-figures (and beyond) alongside others committed to doing the same - if it sounds like a good fit, I’d love to invite you to learn more and apply here: https://jasminestar.com/mastermind

Have you ever sat through a sales pitch thinking you knew what was coming... only to be hit with a $50,000 price tag? 😳 SAME.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest financial decisions I made this year: investing in a professional development program with Gary Vaynerchuk’s team. It was a big leap, a big number, and (spoiler alert!) a BIG shift in how I approach business investments.

If you're wondering whether investing in your growth is worth it, I’m sharing the 3-part framework I use before I spend a dime:

1️⃣ Highlight the Differences: Why every investment must teach me something new.

2️⃣ Access Matters: How the right room can change your life.

3️⃣ Proximity is Power: Why being near greatness accelerates success.

Plus, you’ll hear what I learned from watching Gary Vee behind the scenes, how small gestures reveal leadership, and why “hi” can be a secret business superpower.

Whether you're spending $500 or $50,000, this episode will help you make bolder, smarter investments.

Friend, if you’re in the digging phase—building, dreaming, working before anyone sees it—this is your sign: Keep digging. Keep growing. Your skyscraper moment is coming.

And if you haven’t left a review, consider this your loving nudge. ❤️

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:45] Why a $50,000 pitch almost scared me off—and why I leaned in instead

[01:47] The #1 question I ask before making ANY investment

[03:40] How objective-setting and leadership assessments changed my mind

[04:31] Why ACCESS (and warm introductions) are more valuable than any brochure

[06:29] How PROXIMITY alone can change your business trajectory

[08:10] Watching Gary Vee move behind the scenes—and what I learned

[12:17] The biggest leadership lesson I learned from Gary in just 20 seconds

[13:55] My full 3-step framework for making smart, strategic investments

Listen to Related Episodes or Links Mentioned:

• Nonverbal Communication Secrets That Drive Sales and Build Trust with Blake Eastman
• How to Reclaim Your Time and Boost Business Productivity with Nick Sonnenberg
• My 1-1 Call with Gary Vaynerchuck

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader. 📧

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode549

Ready to create a powerful brand, high-level marketing strategies, and build systems that scale alongside a group of talented 7-figure entrepreneurs?

I’m hosting a mastermind for 7-figure entrepreneurs who want to build their business to 8-figures (and beyond) alongside others committed to doing the same - if it sounds like a good fit, I’d love to invite you to learn more and apply here: https://jasminestar.com/mastermind

Feeling stuck digging without seeing results? You’re not alone, friend. In this episode, I share the behind-the-scenes journey of building my business from nothing—no connections, no funding, no experience. Plus, I reveal the mindset shifts that helped me pivot from photographer to CEO and my 1-on-1 convo with Gary Vaynerchuk about building my holding company. If you’re in the foundation phase, this is your reminder: you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Let’s build something incredible. 🚀

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:01] Why I almost didn’t say the word “skyscraper” aloud (and why I changed my mind)

[00:53] The deeper the foundation, the taller the structure

[01:49] How I built a six-figure business without a camera

[03:39] The moment I realized consulting was a “thing” (and how it changed my path)

[04:29] From courses to a membership to a tech company

[05:20] Starting a holding company (without knowing what a HoldCo was) (A masterclass in figuring things out while you build.)

[06:18] For the women building against the odds

[09:15] My conversation with Gary Vaynerchuck

Listen to Related Episodes:

• Gary Vaynerchuk’s Growth Accelerator Program: My Experience and Key Takeaways (So Far)
• How to Get Attention and “Embrace the Dirt” for Long-Term Success with Gary Vaynerchuk

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader. 📧

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode548

Ready to create a powerful brand, high-level marketing strategies, and build systems that scale alongside a group of talented 7-figure entrepreneurs?

I’m hosting a mastermind for 7-figure entrepreneurs who want to build their business to 8-figures (and beyond) alongside others committed to doing the same - if it sounds like a good fit, I’d love to invite you to learn more and apply here: https://jasminestar.com/mastermind