Hollywood Actress to Investor: The $10K Bet That Made Sophia Bush Millions
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About the episode
From teen drama star to angel investor, Sophia Bush joins Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni for an unfiltered conversation about building wealth, walking away from toxic systems, and making purpose profitable.In this episode of The Burnouts, Sophia reveals how a surprise $10,000 angel check into Uber kickstarted her investment journey—and how that single move led to millions. She opens up about the real economics of being a young actress, fighting for equal pay on One Tree Hill, and the dark side of working in Hollywood. Sophia also shares what it means to build power as a woman in business: launching inclusive salons, shaping the future of femtech, and helping fund America's first women-founded bank.She breaks down the difference between angel investing and venture, gives practical advice for women who want to build wealth without gatekeeping, and explains why doing good and doing well should never be mutually exclusive.Also: The best financial advice she’s ever received. 🕯️✨ USE CODE "BURNOUTS15" FOR 15% OFF YOUR ORDER ON THE LIMITED-EDITION PHLUR X THE BURNOUTS CANDLE → https://go.shopmy.us/p-18806798 ✨🕯️ 🔍 CHAPTERS1:20 – From aspiring heart surgeon to unexpected actress6:45 – The economics of young Hollywood13:00 – Building an inclusive salon in Detroit17:20 – Investing in Uber with $10K20:45 – The power of sweat equity25:30 – Femtech, abortion access & why periods matter30:15 – Talking money without shame34:00 – The group chat every woman needs 🔗 FOLLOW USPhoebe GatesSophia KianniSophia Bush 🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTSInstagram TikTok LinkedIn📲 Download the Phia app to start saving money.Subscribe to The Burnouts for bold, raw interviews with the thinkers, athletes, and founders redefining ambition. Hosted by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni—former Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders—each episode dives into the unpolished truths of building a life and career that matters. This isn’t another founder podcast. It’s what building something in your 20s actually sounds like—unfiltered, in-progress, and a little bit chaotic.
