Meet Kashyap Dadia

We recently connected with Kashyap Dadia and have shared our conversation below.

Kashyap, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Being the only one in the room who looks like me has definitely come with its challenges, but over time I’ve learned to lean into that difference rather than shy away from it. In my 20 years working in several leadership roles at places like Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley, I focused on operating with a strong owner’s mindset, staying curious, and learning from everyone around me.

I realized early on that success doesn’t always come from following the traditional path. I wasn’t afraid to take risks—whether that was investing in real estate or recently stepping into entrepreneurship with my recent entertainment business that I started offering escape rooms and VR games.

Each step has always taught me something new that has come with its own share of failures and successes but I’m so glad I took those steps.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

From Mumbai to Technology leadership to Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Passion, Purpose, and Reinvention

Originally from India, I came to the United States with a dream—to pursue a master’s degree in customer science and unlock new possibilities for my future. That dream quickly turned into reality when I landed a role as a senior developer at Morgan Stanley, even before I had graduated.

Over the years, I took on multiple leadership roles at Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase, steering teams through mergers and acquisitions and gaining firsthand experience in how the finance and tech industries truly operate. Along the way, I was fortunate to build lasting relationships—and most importantly, I found the love of my life, my partner in everything, my wife Niyati. We’ve been together for nearly 15 years now, and we’re blessed with two incredible children—a 10-year-old son Hrishaan and an 8-year-old daughter Ariana —who bring joy and adventure into our lives every single day.

For the past nine years, I’ve served as a senior engineering leader at Amazon, where I recently had the immense privilege of launching the next-generation, Gen AI-powered Alexa—Alexa+. Working at Amazon has been nothing short of transformative. The leadership principles here—customer obsession, bias for action, and ownership—have reshaped not just my professional mindset but also the way I approach life. I’ve learned to take bold risks and reject the status quo, realizing there’s so much more to life than simply clocking in and out of a 9-to-5 job and spending evenings on the couch.

That mindset led me to real estate investing, where I’ve strategically built a portfolio of properties that generate steady passive income and have seen tremendous appreciation over the years. Real estate, in my view, is the most powerful wealth-building tool available today. Maybe one day I’ll start a podcast to share what I’ve learned—who knows!

Last year marked a new chapter as I took the leap into entrepreneurship. I launched my own entertainment business in Redmond, WA—a space that offers mind-bending escape rooms and immersive, free-roaming VR experiences. Whether it’s birthday parties, team outings, date nights, or family fun, our venue is designed to create unforgettable moments. Let’s be honest—arcade arenas, bowling alleys, and trampoline parks are yesterday’s news. VR is the future of entertainment, and I’m proud to be at the forefront of that shift.

So, here I am—still learning, still failing, still growing. The journey has been incredible, and I wouldn’t change a thing. The best part? I know the most exciting chapters are still ahead.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three key qualities that have helped me immensely in my journey are:

The courage to take risks:
One of the biggest roadblocks I see—especially for aspiring entrepreneurs—is the fear of losing. That fear often keeps people stuck in their W2 jobs for life, even when they have bigger dreams. What’s helped me is learning to take calculated risks. You don’t have to leap blindly, but you do have to leap. Believe in yourself, and be willing to embrace failure as a stepping stone rather than something to fear.

Bias for action:
This is a principle I’ve borrowed from Amazon, and it’s had a deep impact on both my personal and professional life. Having a bold idea or a grand vision is just step one. The real magic happens when you act on it. I’ve seen so many people stall at the ideation stage due to “cold feet” syndrome. Fear, perfectionism, or lack of clarity often hold them back. But progress only happens when you take the first step—start walking, even if the path isn’t fully clear yet.

Doubling down on your superpowers:
Self-awareness is a game-changer, especially when starting or running a business. You have to know what you’re great at—and unapologetically double down on it. At the same time, recognize your blind spots and surround yourself with people who complement those areas. The goal isn’t to be perfect at everything—it’s to build a team that balances each other out, and then use that support network to continually grow yourself.

Advice for others starting out?
Start small, stay consistent, and don’t wait for perfect conditions. Be bold, take action, and never underestimate the power of knowing your strengths and leveraging the right people around you. That’s where real growth begins.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?

Honestly, I think stress is becoming one of the biggest modern-day epidemics. We’re living in a culture where 14–16-hour workdays, weekend hustle, multiple jobs, and the inability to “shut off” after work has quietly become the norm. And it’s taking a massive toll—not just on our physical health, but on our mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life.

I’m no stranger to it myself. Between a demanding role at Amazon, running a business on the side, and managing over 10 investment properties, there are definitely days I feel completely overwhelmed. It’s easy to hit burnout when you’re constantly “on.”

What’s helped me most is leaning into what really grounds me—my family.
Spending time with my wife and kids isn’t just a break from work; it’s a reset. They remind me of what really matters and help me disconnect from the constant pressure to do more. Those moments of connection are my biggest stress relievers.

In addition to that, physical activity has been a huge outlet for me.
Whether it’s hiking, running, working out, or playing racquetball—it’s not just about staying fit, it’s about releasing that built-up tension. I’ve found that even 30 minutes of movement can clear my head and shift my perspective completely.

My advice?

Protect your energy like it’s currency—because it is.

Prioritize your people—nothing replaces that.

Find your outlet and make it non-negotiable.

And above all, give yourself permission to pause. You don’t need to earn rest by burning out first.

In this generation—and the next—stress management isn’t a luxury. It’s a survival skill.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fleeescape.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kash.dadia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kashyapdadia

Image Credits

Flee Escape and Zero Latency VR corporate team events