We were lucky to catch up with Renuka Belwalkar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Renuka, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
A younger me would have told you that these are the people that motivate me the most, as I would listen to Taylor Swift’s song “New Romantics” on repeat. However, as I’ve grown in my journey, something incredible has happened where I’m no longer doing this for other people, or to prove anyone anything.
It’s become more about exploring my limits, discovering what I’m truly capable of, and being rooted in a place of gratitude that the Universe is allowing me to be on this path in the first place. Nowadays, I keep asking myself these questions: Am I truly building and intentionally designing the life I want? Am I giving justice to all the blessings the universe has given me? Am I in pursuit of my purpose? And lastly, do my actions align with my conscience? With this mindset and belief, everything else is just noise. Now, the focus is truly on looking inwards, being focused on the voice inside of me and using that as a guide to navigate my next challenge.
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?
I’m a South Asian female model and actor based in NYC, and as a 5’3” model, I’m incredibly proud of the runways I’ve walked—from NYC to London—often being chosen to open and close shows.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, pursuing anything beyond tech was unheard of. I didn’t have exposure to creative industries, connections, or financial resources to support an unconventional path. But what I did have was my family’s unwavering love, encouragement, and belief in me, which became the most valuable support system I could ask for.
After attending the University of Minnesota, I landed a front-office role on Wall Street at one of the top three bulge bracket banks (<2% acceptance rate)—a huge milestone for me, my family, and my community, especially coming from a non-target school. But while in Minnesota, I was also quietly chasing another dream—modeling and acting. I took every small opportunity that came my way, never realizing that these tiny steps would one day snowball into a life full of incredible, unexpected experiences. While on Wall Street, I had a realization: I wasn’t living the life I truly wanted. I looked around and didn’t see anyone whose career path I wanted to follow in 10-15 years. So, I took a leap of faith and quit. As a Libra, balance is everything to me—especially between the arts and business. On the business front, I’m a Fractional Chief of Staff and Consultant (www.fractional-cos.com), as well as an Engagement Manager at Talentism and their VC arm, DiveIn, where I support underrepresented founders—something I’m deeply passionate about. Now, I’m focused on building a career that blends storytelling, creativity, and strategy. Every opportunity, whether in front of the camera or behind the scenes, is a chance to break barriers and redefine what’s possible.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were resilience, resourcefulness, and self-belief.
Resilience – The ability to keep going despite rejection, doubt, or uncertainty has been everything. Whether it was breaking into Wall St from a non-target school, walking runways as a 5’3” model, or navigating an unconventional career path, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges, but I’ve learned to keep knocking on doors until one opens. Meditation has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to have a clear mind to navigate challenges.
Resourcefulness – I didn’t have connections, industry knowledge, or a roadmap handed to me. I had to figure things out, piece by piece. Resourcefulness means being scrappy—finding opportunities in unexpected places, networking strategically, and learning how to create value even when the odds aren’t in your favor. If you’re early in your journey, focus on being fully present where you are, while constantly evaluating what you’re liking vs not liking. Keep putting your best foot forward, always. You never know what leads to where. My favorite quote around this is to “bloom where you are planted”
Self-Belief – My self-belief came partly from my family, and partly from the promise I made to myself as a child that I won’t give up on my dreams. No one will believe in you more than you believe in yourself. There were countless moments where I could have talked myself out of pursuing my dreams because they didn’t fit the traditional mold. But the promise I made to myself as a child, is what kept me moving forward. If you’re struggling with self-belief, cultivate confidence by taking action, no matter how small. Every step, every little win compounds over time. Focus on having a solution-oriented mindset: Priyanka Chopra once said, “don’t sit in the shit. It gets gross.” Don’t worry about the people around you, the right people will make their way to you, once you believe in yourself. And most importantly, trust that your unique path is meant for you.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! I’m always open to collaborating with like-minded creatives, founders, and brands that align with my values and vision. Whether it’s modeling, acting, or business strategy, I love working on projects that push boundaries, challenge norms, and create meaningful impact.
I’m especially excited to partner with:
Brands & Designers who are redefining beauty, fashion, and inclusivity in the industry.
Filmmakers & Creatives who are telling bold, unique stories and looking for a South Asian woman to bring a fresh perspective to their work.
Startups & Founders who need strategic support in scaling their businesses, particularly in operations, sales, and marketing.
Investors & Venture Firms focused on supporting underrepresented founders and breaking barriers in the startup world.
If you’re reading this and think we’d be a good fit to collaborate, feel free to reach out! You can connect with me through my website www.fractional-cos.com or DM me on Instagram (@renuka_belwalkar) or LinkedIn (@renukabelwalkar). I’d love to explore how we can create something incredible together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fractional-cos.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renuka_belwalkar/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renukabelwalkar/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
