In this episode of Backs of All Trades podcast, I'm sharing a significant life update: I quit my software engineering job. It wasn't an easy decision, but I'm embarking on a new, albeit riskier, opportunity. This isn't about becoming a full-time social media influencer. Instead, I'm diving into the startup world.
Why I Left My Big Tech Job
Many know me as the big tech software engineer who gives advice on breaking into the industry. I've also discussed my salary, which, at $171,000 a year plus stock options, was considerable for my age. However, despite enjoying my work and the challenges it presented, something was missing.
Lack of Fulfillment and Connection
While I enjoyed the cool problems and learned a lot, the work ultimately felt like work. I craved a deeper, intrinsic motivation beyond just monetary compensation. Furthermore, I wasn't building close friendships with my co-workers. As a very social and extroverted person, this lack of connection was a significant drawback, exacerbated by the age gap between myself and my colleagues.
Seeds of Change: Conversations That Inspired
Although I wasn't actively searching, the thought of other opportunities lingered. Several conversations I had recently planted a seed in my mind.
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Lucas Pactor (Squid Pactor): His success in starting a company right out of college made me realize I wanted to do more.
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Chris Klouse (Investor): His question of "When are you starting your startup?" resonated deeply.
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Michael (Higher Up Wellness): His decision to quit his day job for social media and coaching echoed my own desires.
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Zack Shankin (Former Classmate): His own business further fueled the idea of pursuing something more.
The Opportunity: Joining Brev
While visiting family, I received a call from a family friend working on a startup called Brev. They were seeking a backend engineer with cloud and distributed systems knowledge. This conversation sparked my interest, and upon returning to San Francisco, I visited their office.
A Glimpse into Startup Life
I spent a day co-working with the three employees in a living room setting, observing their passion, camaraderie, and dedication. I was impressed. After interviewing, including a whiteboard session and a code review of their codebase, I received an offer (disguised as another technical screen) and accepted it, despite a significant pay cut.
Why I'm Comfortable Taking the Risk
This was not an easy choice. I was giving up a very stable, high-paying job to join a risky startup with no health insurance. However, I feel comfortable with my decision due to several factors:
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Age and Responsibilities: At 24, I have no kids, no wife, and no mortgage. My primary responsibility is myself.
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Health Insurance: I can rejoin my parents' health insurance until I'm 26.
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Worst-Case Scenario: If the startup fails, I can likely return to my previous company or find another similar role.
The Bigger Risk: Regret
The true risk, in my opinion, is not taking the leap. Watching from the sidelines as Brev potentially becomes the next big thing would be a source of immense regret.
Social Media Income
My social media presence generates enough income to support myself, providing an additional safety net.
What is Brev?
Brev provides an easy way to fine-tune and train AI models using GPUs. It simplifies the process for developers, eliminating the need to manage their own GPU infrastructure. The team is passionate, intelligent, and driven.
The Team
The team of three is composed of individuals I genuinely enjoy being around. They are high-energy, extroverted young professionals with a shared dream. This is a stark contrast to my previous experience, where forming deep connections was challenging.
Increased Control
My work at Brev will allow for increased agency. My individual work can directly change the trajectory of the company. Also, I'm excited to be working in the field of AI, as my studies in Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech focused on this.
Transparency and Social Media
Unlike my previous role, I can now openly share my work and experiences on social media. This allows me to document the journey of building a startup and provide unique insights to my audience.
What's Next?
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I'll be starting the new year with the company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, working from a unique co-working space for two weeks.
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I hope to be able to share the journey openly with my audience.
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I plan to interview the CEO and co-founder on the podcast, along with other members of the Brev team.
Opportunities
Eventually, Brev will be looking for interns and full-time employees. Following my journey and Brev's growth could lead to a chance to work together. I am very thankful and excited for the future, and hope that my audience is interested in the upcoming content.
Blending Work and Life
I look forward to a future where work and life blend together. Working alongside friends on a shared passion project is a motivating and exciting prospect. With social media being complementary instead of adversarial, I can document my experiences and connect with my audience on a deeper level. Overall, I'm committed to creating a fun and successful enviroment for myself and the company.