Think Like a CEO, Not an Architect: Building Income, Impact & Freedom with Morgan Chawaga

From Hospitality to Real Estate: How Rashi Malhotra Reinvented Her Career

In this episode of Exit Interview, Dyuthi sits down with Rashi Malhotra - a sommelier turned real estate advisor and founder - whose career path is anything but linear. Originally from India, Rashi moved to the U.S. without a clear plan, navigating new cultures, industries, and expectations while trusting her instincts at every turn. From starting out in advertising to rising through New York City’s hospitality scene as a general manager, she built a career rooted in adaptability and intuition. When the pandemic brought the restaurant industry to a halt, Rashi made a quiet but powerful decision: she would start over again. This time, she stepped into real estate, launching her own brand from the ground up. What stands out most? She didn’t let overthinking or imposter syndrome slow her down. Instead, she leaned on the skills she had already built and trusted that they would translate. This conversation is a deep dive into: * What it really feels like to start over in a new country * Making career decisions without overthinking * The hidden value of transferable skills * Navigating major industry pivots with confidence * Why reinvention isn’t starting from scratch If you’ve ever felt pulled in a new direction but hesitated to act, this episode will challenge the way you think about risk, and remind you that you’re more prepared than you think. ---------------------------------------- 🤝 THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY SHOPIFY When I launched my first candle brand, Shopify had me up and running in just a couple of hours—and made it just as easy to sell in person at markets and fairs as online. Try it free for 3 days, then just $1/month for your first 3 months: 👉 https://shopify.pxf.io/exitinterviewpodcast [https://shopify.pxf.io/exitinterviewpodcast] If you're ready to take the leap on your business idea, there's never been a better time to start. ---------------------------------------- 📬 SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER Get behind-the-scenes insights, lessons from each episode, and resources for building your next chapter: 👉 https://exit-interview-podcast.beehiiv.com [https://exit-interview-podcast.beehiiv.com]

Building Beyond Design: How Danilda Polanco Created Her Own Path in Architecture & Construction

In this episode of Exit Interview, I sit down with architect, general contractor, and founder of DOPE Architecture Inc., Danilda Polanco.   Originally from the Dominican Republic, Danilda moved to New York at 19 to pursue architecture. What followed were years of intense learning, long hours in architectural firms, time on construction sites, and a commitment to mastering both the creative and technical sides of the profession.   Today, she leads a residential design-build company that combines architecture and construction under one roof, guiding projects from concept to completion while building a business rooted in ownership and leadership. In this conversation, Danilda shares: * What it was like moving to New York as a young immigrant and building a career from the ground up * Why mentorship played a critical role in shaping her confidence in a male-dominated industry * How curiosity on construction sites helped her understand the industry beyond design * Why becoming both an architect and general contractor changed the trajectory of her business * What motherhood taught her about timing, resilience, and ambition * How moving from New York to Colorado reshaped both her life and career * Why more women should consider leadership roles in construction and development Danilda’s story is a reminder that careers aren’t built overnight,  they’re built through years of experience, persistence, and the willingness to step into spaces where you may not yet see yourself represented.   If you’ve ever thought about starting your own firm, exploring the construction side of architecture, or building a career on your own terms, this episode is for you. 🎧   This episode is sponsored by Studio-Verse, supporting architects and developers with clear BIM-based design documentation from concept through construction. Learn more at studio-verse.com [http://studio-verse.com]

Work Optional: How Ange Matthews Built Wealth on Her Own Terms

In this episode of Exit Interview, I sit down with investor, speaker, and CEO of the Happy Investor Method, Ange Matthews. Before she built a seven-figure passive wealth portfolio, Ange was making $40,000 a year with six figures in debt. A first-generation investor and former analyst at Goldman Sachs, she got a rare look inside Wall Street — and quickly realized that wealth isn’t reserved for the elite. It’s built through awareness, intention, and strategy. What followed wasn’t an impulsive resignation, but a deliberate path toward becoming work optional. In this conversation, Ange shares: * What she learned about wealth creation inside Wall Street institutions * Why financial advisors often ignore everyday investors — and what to do instead * The real reason many women leave corporate (it’s not just burnout) * How to build a 5-year plan to become work optional * Why you shouldn’t quit your job before your investments are ready * How motherhood changed her approach to money, legacy, and freedom * How she’s investing to make her children work optional before 30 * What it means to stay in rooms where you don’t see yourself — and why that matters for the next woman walking in We also talk about generational wealth in communities of color, learning to advocate for yourself in male-dominated industries, and why happiness — not hustle — is the foundation of sustainable success. Ange’s story is a reminder that you don’t need permission to build wealth. But you do need a plan. If you’ve ever thought about quitting corporate, starting a business, investing more intentionally, or redefining success on your own terms — this episode is for you. You can find out more about The Happy Investor Method at https://www.happyinvestorcourses.com/womenandwealthvirtual [https://www.happyinvestorcourses.com/womenandwealthvirtual]

Just Jump: Sara Mosele on Reinventing Yourself in Design + Business

What does it really take to leave stability behind and build a career on your own terms? In this episode of Exit Interview, Dyuthi Prakash sits down with Sara Mosele, founder of Sara Mosele Interiors, to unpack a 25+ year journey shaped by bold leaps, big life transitions, and the decision to keep starting over—on purpose. Sara shares how she moved from Venice to New York without even speaking much English, leveraged visual communication to break into the industry, and learned the “360-degree” approach to design through her time at Gensler. She opens up about launching a studio early in her career, navigating motherhood while building a business, scaling up to a larger team, and later reinventing herself after divorce—ultimately rebuilding her brand and focusing on residential interiors during the pandemic. You’ll also hear Sara’s honest take on what new firm owners don’t prepare for—legal, tax, and financial realities—and why mentorship can save you expensive mistakes. Her advice for anyone standing at the edge of a big career move is simple, but not easy: clarify your why, block out the noise, and just do it. Key themes: reinvention, entrepreneurship, client relationships, resilience through crisis, and designing a business that fits your life.

Think Like a CEO, Not an Architect: Building Income, Impact & Freedom with Morgan Chawaga

Most architects stay stuck on the treadmill — believing leadership, financial freedom, and flexibility are out of reach. In this episode of Exit Interview, Morgan Chawaga shares how she broke free from the traditional firm model to build a career with more income, impact, and control over her time — without burnout. KEY TAKEAWAYS * The firm ladder isn’t the only path to success * CEO-level thinking changes income, influence, and opportunity * Negotiation is a learnable skill — not a personality trait * Personal branding creates leverage beyond job titles * Boundaries are essential to sustainable growth * Discomfort is often the clearest signal of progress If you’re questioning the traditional path and want a career that actually supports your life, this episode is your wake-up call. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Exit Interview for more conversations on redefining success in your career. This episode is sponsored by Studio-verse (www.studio-verse.com), a design and workplace strategy studio helping architects, developers, and brokers move faster through early-stage test fits, workplace strategy, and design documentation. Studio-verse focuses on turning underutilized or hard-to-visualize spaces into clear, functional layouts that support smarter decisions and faster outcomes.