Ep 042 - Bo Ren, Managing Director at SVB (Silicon Valley Bank)

🌱Lessons from a career crafted through serendipity 🌱

Bo Ren, Managing Director at SVB, has truly mastered the art of serendipity! In episode 042 of New to Venture, Bo takes us through the many twists and turns of her career and the valuable lessons learned along the way. We dive deep into mentorship, curiosity, and soft power. This one’s full of heart and wisdom, don’t miss out! 📚

My key takeaways:

1️⃣ Embrace Seredipity: Your early career doesn’t need to follow a rigid path. Although there is comfort in having a life plan, be open to unexpected opportunities and explore widely. Take on every side quest that seems interesting.

2️⃣ Bet on Yourself: Often, the safest path is the one with the least room for growth or fulfillment. Every meaningful pivot requires a touch of audacity. You won’t have all the answers, but betting on your curiosity and potential will almost always lead to a more fulfilling journey.

3️⃣ Your differences are your edge: Don’t hide what makes you unique. Your differences end up becoming your superpowers. Especially in venture. VCs are looking for people who can push against their line of thinking.

4️⃣ Redefine Mentorship: We tend to overcomplicate and glamorize mentorship. A mentor isn’t someone with all the answers. A mentor is someone who has walked a few steps ahead and is willing to share what they’ve learned. Don’t look for a “perfect mentor” rather start building relationships rooted in shared ambition, vulnerability, and genuine care. As a mentee, you should be building a “goodwill bank account.” Give when you can, help where you’re able, show up as your authentic self.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introductions

(02:43) - HBO series: Industry + Who do you identify with?

(06:34) - Setting intentions and New Years Resolutions

(10:02) - Key turning points in Bo’s career

(14:18) - Parents and taking the big swing

(15:53) - Falling in love with startups(20:15) - Getting vocal on social media

(24:33) - Creating a personal IP and an easeful life

(29:03) - Soft power and invisible power laws

(38:19) - Mentorship

(42:47) - Highlights and lowlights

(46:51) - Ceremonial final Qs