What if you could build a space company without venture capital? Sara Alao is proving it is possible. Her company, Stars Edge, is developing satellites that can fly lower than anyone has flown before, delivering better connectivity and resolution for everything from disaster relief to financial services.

In this episode, Sara shares her unconventional path from aerospace engineering to acting to mental health work, and how each experience taught her something essential about understanding people. She explains why she chose to do a PhD as a safety net while building the company, how she assembled a volunteer team aligned with her vision, and why she has learned to stop waiting around for investors.