Odile Roujol: The Unwritten Rules of California's Startup Ecosystem
Daphni
What does it take to start over in a new country when you've already built a successful career? And what can Europe learn from the way business is done in California?
After leading global brands like Lancôme and holding senior positions at Orange, Odile Roujol traded Paris for Silicon Valley. But despite her impressive track record, breaking into the American startup ecosystem wasn't quite what she expected.
Today, Odile is the founder of FAB Co-Creation Studio, an investor in beauty tech, consumer health, and wellness startups, and a bridge between the French and American entrepreneurial ecosystems.
In this episode of Venturing Abroad, Odile joins Erica and Madison to share what she's learned from building a new career and network in the US, and why adapting to a different culture can completely reshape the way you lead.
In this conversation, we explore:
Starting over in Silicon Valley: Why a successful career in France doesn't automatically open doors in the US.The unwritten rules of networking: From 30-minute coffee meetings to Silicon Valley's pay-it-forward mentality.Europe vs. the US: What founders and investors can learn from different approaches to leadership, regulation, and risk.Beyond Silicon Valley: Why Los Angeles, Austin, and Seattle deserve more attention as startup ecosystems.Building a global community: How Odile grew a beauty tech network connecting more than 15,000 people.The future of beauty tech: Why she's increasingly focused on health, longevity, and science-backed innovation.From Paris to San Francisco and now Los Angeles, Odile's journey is a reminder that sometimes, the most valuable thing you can bring to a new ecosystem isn't your experience, but your willingness to listen, learn, and rethink what you know.
🎙️ Venturing Abroad is a podcast by daphni exploring how geography, culture, and experience shape the way we build businesses around the world.
What does it take to start over in a new country when you've already built a successful career? And what can Europe learn from the way business is done in California?
After leading global brands like Lancôme and holding senior positions at Orange, Odile Roujol traded Paris for Silicon Valley. But despite her impressive track record, breaking into the American startup ecosystem wasn't quite what she expected.
Today, Odile is the founder of FAB Co-Creation Studio, an investor in beauty tech, consumer health, and wellness startups, and a bridge between the French and American entrepreneurial ecosystems.
In this episode of Venturing Abroad, Odile joins Erica and Madison to share what she's learned from building a new career and network in the US, and why adapting to a different culture can completely reshape the way you lead.
In this conversation, we explore:
Starting over in Silicon Valley: Why a successful career in France doesn't automatically open doors in the US.The unwritten rules of networking: From 30-minute coffee meetings to Silicon Valley's pay-it-forward mentality.Europe vs. the US: What founders and investors can learn from different approaches to leadership, regulation, and risk.Beyond Silicon Valley: Why Los Angeles, Austin, and Seattle deserve more attention as startup ecosystems.Building a global community: How Odile grew a beauty tech network connecting more than 15,000 people.The future of beauty tech: Why she's increasingly focused on health, longevity, and science-backed innovation.From Paris to San Francisco and now Los Angeles, Odile's journey is a reminder that sometimes, the most valuable thing you can bring to a new ecosystem isn't your experience, but your willingness to listen, learn, and rethink what you know.
🎙️ Venturing Abroad is a podcast by daphni exploring how geography, culture, and experience shape the way we build businesses around the world.
