On today’s episode of The Jasmine Star Show, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Sarah Chen-Spellings—a powerhouse investor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Beyond The Billion, a movement catalyzing capital for female-founded companies. This conversation isn’t just about money; it’s about mission, legacy, and breaking generational cycles.

Sarah and I met backstage at Create & Cultivate during SXSW, and within five minutes, I knew she was lightning in a bottle. I had to bring her on the podcast. From her Malaysian roots to cutting multi-million-dollar checks in her twenties, Sarah’s journey is anything but typical—and today, she’s lifting the veil on what it really takes to fund women-led innovation.

In this episode, we dive into:

✨ How Sarah’s mother’s journey from a small Malaysian town to CEO shaped her

✨ Why female founders face unique funding challenges—and how Sarah is tackling them

✨ What investors actually look for in a pitch (hint: it’s not just the numbers)

✨ How to think bigger about your own legacy, even if you’re just starting out

And because you know I love to keep it real, we also geek out over social media, intentional networking, and how “awkwardness” is just behavior without context. Spoiler alert: Sarah calls me out—in the best way!

Whether you’re raising capital, running a side hustle, or dreaming up your next big thing, this episode will leave you fired up and ready to play bigger. 💥

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.

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Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!