The Toxic Myth of the Seat at the Table With Rashmi Lopez

What if that “seat at the table” comes at the expense of your health, joy, and sense of purpose? Would you still want it?

Corporate design culture pushes us toward one version of success: titles, promotions, and that coveted “seat at the table.” But for many, that seat comes with exhaustion, burnout, and a nagging question—why doesn’t this feel like success?

In this episode, I talk with Rashmi Lopez, a designer who hit that wall, realized the cost, and chose another path. After years of grinding in tech and reaching leadership roles, Rashmi found herself drained and disconnected. A layoff became her turning point, leading her to step back, heal, and refocus on helping small businesses tell their stories with design.

We explore how to rethink career success beyond titles, why boundaries and mental health are non-negotiable, and how community can give you more influence and fulfillment than any corporate ladder. If you’ve ever felt trapped in the cycle of overwork and chasing validation, this conversation will give you permission to define success on your own terms.

Topics:
• 01:59 – What does “a seat at the table” mean? Introducing guest Rashmi Lopez
• 02:45 – Rashmi’s background: First-gen, tech career, and turning point after layoff
• 03:51 – Rashmi’s new focus: Helping small businesses with branding and design
• 04:25 – The struggle for designers to get a seat at the table
• 05:27 – Rashmi’s journey: Realizing the table isn’t always worth it
• 06:40 – The toll of corporate culture on health and relationships
• 08:13 – What does “a seat at the table” mean to Rashmi?
• 09:13 – The ideal of partnership and stakeholder voices
• 10:15 – Designers as craftspeople: Value, influence, and proving worth
• 13:15 – The disconnect between design as a craft and business expectations
• 15:00 – Redefining success: Beyond titles and money
• 18:00 – Mental health, burnout, and prioritizing well-being
• 21:00 – Community vs. corporate culture: Finding support and belonging
• 24:00 – Building your own table: Creating community and redefining success
• 27:00 – Advice for finding and building community as a designer

Rashmi Lopez
Brand & visual design for extraordinary entrepreneurs

About Rashmi

Rashmi Lopez is a first-born, first-generation child of South Asian immigrants—a creative spirit raised in a culture that values tradition. For 15 years she tried to fit into the world of tech, rising to become a Design Leader at a startup, but the experience left her feeling drained and out of place. In 2023, a layoff became a turning point. Rashmi walked away from corporate culture and refocused her energy on helping small businesses thrive. Today, she uses branding and visual design to give founders a fighting edge against large corporations and to help them tell their stories with clarity and heart.

Connect with Rashmi on LinkedIn

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