Episode
From Freelance to Founders: Building Sonder Studio Without Burning Out | Ep 31
- Podcast
- Behind the Stems
- Published
- Jan 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4885
- Processing state
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Summary
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Yen from Sonder Studio. We talk about what actually happens when you move from freelancing into business ownership, why “just vibing it” works… until it really doesn’t, and how Sonder Studio grew quickly without having a plan, then had to slow down, reassess, and rebuild in a way that didn’t destroy their nervous systems. Yen shares her journey from corporate finance to floristry, the mental health reckoning that pushed her to change paths, and how freelancing during the post-lockdown wedding boom shaped her skills, confidence, and boundaries. We get into what it’s really like running a partnership, the growing pains, the constant communication, and why clearly defined roles matter more than talent. We talk studios, systems, SOPs, bump-in chaos, allocation, and the unsexy backend work that actually makes creative businesses sustainable. There’s a very honest conversation about freelancing resentment, ownership of creative work, and the moment you realise that being “on the tools” isn’t the same as leading a team. We also dive into Yen’s overseas wedding in Vietnam, from six-hour market runs up a mountain to flying her team in so she didn’t have to flower on her own wedding day and what planning a wedding taught her about logistics, delegation, and letting go. Check out Sonder Studio on Instagram 00:00 – New Year check-in + last-minute wedding chaos Talking holiday boundaries, surprise bookings, and saying yes when the vibe is right. 03:00 – Weather, wind, and why florists fear it more than rain Real talk on outdoor ceremonies, risk, and on-the-fly engineering. 05:00 – Yen’s origin story: from corporate finance to floristry Mental health, fulfilment, and realising creativity can be a viable career. 09:00 – Learning through f…