In this episode of The Aconic Podcast, host Soon Yu engages in an inspiring conversation with Debby Soo, the CEO of OpenTable. Debby delves into her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Daly City to breaking stereotypes in the corporate world. She shares her candid experiences of overcoming cultural stigmas, trailblazing through various professional roles, and mastering the art of adapting to different environments. Debby also opens up for the first time about her personal challenges and how she emerged stronger. Her story is a testament to resilience, lifelong learning, and the power of embracing one’s cultural heritage. Don’t miss this insightful episode packed with wisdom and life lessons.

0:06 - Introduction

3:07 - Debby shares her family growing up in a humble way

5:30 - Sharing more about her father and coming to the US

8:57 - Debby's parents imparted their values to her.

11:22 - How her childhood impacted how she parents now?

13:20 - The expectations and demands on Asian children.

15:43 - How experiences at school affected Debby?

24:51 - Becoming more comfortable in her own skin.

28:57 - Debby shares her journey in getting to the C suite role.

37:47 - Debby's rock bottom moment

42:09 - There is value in all of our experiences- whether good or bad.