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The Case for Quitting: Kevin Tien on Success, Sacrifice, and Starting Over

The Case for Quitting: Kevin Tien on Success, Sacrifice, and Starting Over

Update: 2025-11-04
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Could you quit at the top of your game–just as your dreams were coming true? 


At the height of critical acclaim, Kevin Tien walked away from Himitsu, not because it failed, but because it no longer aligned. That decision rewired how he thinks about success, leadership, and the cost of ignoring your gut.


In this conversation, Kevin opens up about leaving good money and momentum on the table, learning the hard way that growth without clarity leads to chaos, and why he now builds restaurants that invest in people first—even if it hurts margins. We dig into the emotional toll of misaligned partnerships, the power of complementary leadership, and how quitting isn’t weakness—it’s evolution.

If you're stuck between what’s working and what’s right, this one's for you.

To learn more on Moon Rabbit, visit moonrabbitdc.com.

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The Case for Quitting: Kevin Tien on Success, Sacrifice, and Starting Over

The Case for Quitting: Kevin Tien on Success, Sacrifice, and Starting Over

Josh Kopel