Ep. 24 | From Derivatives to Craft Beer: Ruchi Desai on Building a Purpose-Driven Career
In this captivating episode of Live Stoked Lead Stoked, I chat with Ruchi Desai, co-founder of EIGHT Brewing Co.. From traversing the challenging landscapes of finance and law to creating tangible impacts in the startup world, Ruchi's journey reveals themes of curiosity, humility, and the power of choice. This episode delves into her personal growth, professional milestones, and the societal pressures she's faced as a woman in male-dominated fields. Below, we unpack these significant themes and explore how they can apply to anyone striving for a purpose-driven life.
The Power of Curiosity and Continuous Learning
Ruchi's love for learning stands out as a cornerstone of her success. While she has a diverse background that spans finance, law, and entrepreneurship, what truly defines her is her natural curiosity.
"My formal education is just a part of my journey," Ruchi states. "What has driven me forward is my desire to continuously learn and understand people and their backgrounds."
This sentiment challenges the conventional wisdom that higher education is the sole pathway to success. By emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and curiosity, Ruchi sets an inspiring example. She highlights that asking questions and seeking to understand the world around us cultivates both personal and professional development.
Balancing Confidence with Humility
Ruchi and I discuss the importance of humility alongside curiosity. While it's crucial to be confident enough to ask questions, it's equally important to remain humble and open to new knowledge.
She explains that being curious means you have to be okay with not always knowing the answer. Humility allows you to be open to learning from others, no matter where they are in their journey.
This balance prevents stagnation and keeps one's approach to life dynamic and ever-evolving. The practice of leading with questions rather than answers fosters an environment of growth, both internally and externally.
Navigating Societal Expectations and Identities
As an Indian woman in male-dominated industries, Ruchi has faced unique challenges. We delve into how unchangeable identities impact one's role and perception in various professional landscapes.
"The societal roles and expectations placed on me were both external and internal," Ruchi shares. "However, what helped me navigate these pressures was having a strong core foundation and the support of my family."
Ruchi’s honesty about seeking acceptance and validation within her community offers valuable insights. She underscores the importance of family support while also advocating for building a strong internal foundation to withstand external societal pressures.
Living a Life of Agency and Choice
One of the episode's most profound discussions revolves around the concept of agency and choice. It’s important to acknowledge one's decisions, even in difficult situations.
Realizing that we have the power to make choices, even when they seem limited or hard, is incredibly empowering. It's the key to leading a life of agency.
Ruchi resonates with this sentiment, sharing her journey of transitioning from traditional roles to creating startups that have tangible impacts on people's lives.
"Being stoked about life means waking up with excitement and purpose," she says. "It's about leading with joy and wonder."
The Joys and Challenges of a Portfolio Career
Both of us discuss the idea of a "portfolio career," which involves accumulating a diverse set of experiences rather than sticking to a single linear path. Ruchi admits she has often felt the need to prove herself when changing careers, but her curiosity and desire for exploration have always prevailed.
"The ability to distill important information, identify patterns, and solve problems are skills that transcend any single job or industry," Ruchi points out.
Having such varied experiences has allowed her to build a rich tapestry of skills and insights, enhancing her effectiveness in every new venture she undertakes.
Life As an Ongoing Journey
Ruchi's episode is a treasure trove of wisdom. From embracing curiosity and continuous learning to navigating societal expectations and living a life of choice, her journey offers invaluable lessons. As she continues to build tangible things that impact lives, Ruchi reminds us all that the key to fulfillment lies in curiosity, humility, and agency in our choices.
Connect with Ruchi:
LinkedIn - ruchiadesai
Connect with Sarah:
Instagram - @livestoked_leadstoked (business) & @sea2mountains (personal)
LinkedIn - sarahbettman
Website - www.sarahbettman.com & www.livestoked.com
Follow on Facebook - CoachBettman
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More About Live Stoked | Lead Stoked
Have you ever wondered if there is something more? Are you ready for something to change, but aren’t sure how to get started…or even what to change? Do you dream of living life on your own terms, full of purpose and the ability to choose what’s best for you? Are you ready to live stoked?
You’ve come to the right place! In this podcast, we will explore what it means to live stoked. To live a life on your terms, one where we’ve tossed away the pressures of roles, expectations, and identities that have been put on you and that you did not choose, is a bold choice. Frankly, it’s a series of small choices in micro-moments that lead to a bold life.
I am Sarah Bettman, coach, consultant, and speaker, but more importantly, I’m a person who found myself waking up in the wrong life and needed to find a way to me.
I am on a mission to unravel the things we tell ourselves, the roles and/or identities we’ve taken on, and the expectations that drive our decision making, so that we can begin to live our most authentic and stoked lives. My guests and I will share our stories, solutions, and multitude of ideas…since one size definitely doesn’t not fit all.
My hope is that you will find something meaningful for you, in the moment, that will move you forward on your path.