In this episode of Unlocking the Entrepreneur's Mindset, I chat with Ash Xu—a videographer, content creator, and entrepreneur with 1.2M TikTok and 1.3M YouTube followers. Ash shares how she turned her passion for content creation into a full-time career, from making fun commercials in her dorm to working with major brands like Taco Bell.

We discuss the balance between creativity and business, the challenges of being your own boss, and the importance of staying inspired while growing as a creator. Ash also gives advice for aspiring content creators looking to break into the industry.

Ash's insta @ashhasacamera

In this episode of Unlocking the Entrepreneur's Mindset, Sophia sits down with her friend Dean, a Venture Scout at Soma Capital, to reflect on their experiences in Northwestern's Bay Area Quarter program—soon to be discontinued due to budget cuts. Dean shares his unconventional path into venture capital, the value of networking, and his perspectives on the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly for underrepresented minorities. They also discuss the high-risk, high-reward nature of startups, the impact of their program's VC firm visits, and Dean's near decision to drop out for a startup opportunity. Tune in for an honest look at the realities of building a career in tech and venture capital.