Navigating Generational Expectations: From Traffic Engineer to CEO with Mitch Patel
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
At some point in our life, we ask ourselves “Is this all there is?”. In 2018 I asked myself this very question that led me to take my career in a whole new direction. Asking this question and taking action on what you truly want are two entirely different things.
In my conversation with Mitch Patel, CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, we talked about what it takes to stop settling, and start building a life that thrills you.
Mitch came from a long lineage of farmers, but his father decided he wanted something better for his life. Mitch was born in India and moved to California at 5 years old and went to a different school every year until moving to Cleveland at the age of 10.
He watched his parents work hard in the motel business, but the expectations placed on him were to live a better life as either a doctor, lawyer or engineer.
He followed these expectations earning a Master's degree in Civil Engineering and worked as a traffic engineer, but learned pretty quickly this line of work didn’t bring him joy.
By the age of 26, he found himself longing for his lunch breaks, and realized he couldn't live his life not being excited about his vocation.
He decided to address the root cause of his dissatisfaction rather than live a life that wasn’t driven by passion. He shifted his career entirely because he wanted to pursue something he enjoyed with all his heart - even if he wasn’t exactly sure what that was at the moment. Fast forward to today, and he is the CEO and Founder of Vision Hospitality Group, which owns and operates over 40 hotels across 9 states (at the time of this writing).
I had a long and riveting conversation with Mitch where he shares so freely his wisdom in building a business from scratch based on character, tenacity and hard work.
How did he manage such massive, sustainable growth during some of the most trying economic times in America? (think: financial crisis and COVID just to name a few) Tune into the full conversation for the details.
Here how everything that Mitch does is with intention and with a big dream in his heart. Be inspired by his perspective of hard times through his quote of the African proverb: ‘smooth seas never made a skilled sailor’. And find hope in his belief that clear skies are always ahead (as history proves this) and the truth that your character has the power to define your destiny.
If you’re ready to lead and live in authentic alignment with the desires you have for yourself then I recommend pouring yourself your favorite beverage of choice and lean into this episode that will be sure to unlock something within.
🗝️ I promise you will leave inspired and ready for your next challenge.
