CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE AGE OF AI: A FIRESIDE CHAT AT UNCOMMON COWORKING, SAN MATEO
At Rubicon Point Partners, we’ve always believed that space is more than just square footage—it’s a platform for connection, transformation, and bold ideas. That vision came to life last Friday at UnCommon Coworking, our flexible coworking and event space in San Mateo, during a powerful evening titled:
Fireside Chat with Zoey Zheng: Conscious Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI
Presented in partnership with EventsInMinutes, one of our newest tenants, the event drew a curious group of founders, startup builders, and creators ready to explore what it means to scale with both ambition and authenticity in today’s hyper-accelerated world.
Inside the Event: Strategy Meets Soul
Zoey Zheng, a founding member of TikTok Shop China, shared lessons from building one of the world’s fastest-growing commerce platforms—where she helped scale the B2B learning ecosystem to over 100,000 businesses. Prior to that, she built accelerator programs at CKGSB in collaboration with SoftBank, Microsoft, and Alibaba, mentoring 250+ founders through early growth and global expansion.
But Zoey didn’t just talk tech and traction.
Now the Founder of Life Artist and an ICF-certified Conscious Leadership Coach, she offered something rare: a holistic framework for entrepreneurship that integrates mental clarity, emotional intelligence, and inner alignment—the human elements AI can’t replicate.
Moderated by Terry O’Connor, CEO of The Brass and former Director of GTM Executive Recruiting at Databricks, the conversation touched on everything from the intensity of hypergrowth to the risks of burnout—and the urgent need for self-awareness in leadership.
Key Themes from the Fireside Chat
This wasn’t just a talk. It was a recalibration for anyone building in the tech world.
Scaling Ecosystems with Vision
Zoey shared behind-the-scenes insights into scaling TikTok Shop’s platform across China, emphasizing how understanding local market nuances and forming deep strategic partnerships were key to rapid adoption.
Founder Burnout & the Inner Game
The takeaway was clear: hypergrowth without inner growth leads to collapse. True resilience comes from aligning ambition with authenticity, not just pushing harder.
“The pressure to perform is real,” Zoey said, “but if you’re disconnected from your body, your values, your inner truth—you’ll eventually break.”
Consciousness Is the New Competitive Edge
In the age of automation, Zoey argues that consciousness is not a luxury—it’s a strategic advantage. AI can scale logic, but only humans can lead with intuition, emotion, and ethical clarity.
Why UnCommon Coworking?
This transformative session took place at UnCommon Coworking’s stunning rooftop and lounge space at 999 Baker Way in San Mateo. With expansive views, modern interiors, and a warm, community-focused vibe, the space felt more like a curated experience than a typical event venue.
It’s the perfect setting for:
Founder offsites
Wellness and coaching sessions
Startup panels and pitch nights
Community-building events
And for those who stay beyond the event, UnCommon offers flexible coworking memberships, private offices, and meeting spaces for individuals and teams who want to work—and grow—intentionally.
Powered by Purpose: Meet the Sponsors
This event was made possible by a shared commitment to values-driven community:
EventsInMinutes, a powerful new platform simplifying event coordination, and now a proud tenant at UnCommon Coworking.
Rubicon Point Partners, the team behind UnCommon Coworking, who continue to champion environments that foster authentic connection and innovation.
Together, we believe that space should spark growth—not just in business, but in people.
A Night That Planted Seeds
From practical startup lessons to deeply personal reflections, the event left attendees feeling energized and grounded.
As one participant said:
“I came to learn about scaling a business. I left thinking about how to scale myself.”
That’s the power of conscious entrepreneurship—and that’s the kind of experience we’re proud to host at UnCommon.
At UnCommon Coworking, we believe the right space can do more than support your work—it can expand what’s possible.
Whether you’re planning a tech panel, founder offsite, wellness workshop, or looking for a home base for your medical or life science practice, 999 Baker Way in San Mateo offers a rare blend of professional functionality and intentional design.
Amenities include:
Rooftop terrace with sunset views
Curated lounge space
AV-equipped conference rooms
Onsite parking
A built-in community of creators and innovators
Flexible Life Science & Medical Office Space in San Mateo
999 Baker isn’t just a place for events—it’s also a hub for biotech pioneers, medical professionals, and research-driven teams.
Purpose-built for the unique needs of top-tier healthcare and life science organizations, the building is designed to support innovation from the ground up—with high-performance infrastructure, clean design, and proximity to renowned research institutions and healthcare systems.
Life Science Infrastructure Includes:
Over 25 watts PSF of power
Brand new 125kW generator for uninterrupted operations
Brand new Compressed Dry Air (CDA) system
Dedicated loading area
High-capacity air-handler with 12 air changes/hour
Vacuum skid system engineered for precision environments
Build with Breath, Vision, and Values
UnCommon Coworking isn’t just a place to plug in—it’s a place to plug into what matters.
We’re proud to support events that go beyond surface-level networking and foster real transformation—events that help founders and teams not only scale but stay grounded.
Ready to host your next gathering here? Looking to host your next gathering? Searching for lab-ready workspace that’s already equipped to grow with you?
📩 Reach out to us at GoUnCommon.com to book a tour, request an event quote, or learn more about coworking memberships.
UnCommon Coworking
999 Baker Way, San Mateo, CA
(415) 404-3956
