economy
Software engineer quit a $250,000 job to open a matcha cafe in Manhattan: 'I wanted purpose and meaning'
Michelle Yeung walked away from a lucrative software engineering career to open a matcha cafe on Manhattan's Lower East Side.
TL;DR
- Michelle Yeung transitioned from a $250,000 software engineering job to opening a matcha cafe called Matcha House.
- The decision was driven by a desire for purpose and meaning, feeling disconnected from her previous "fake work."
- Yeung undertook extensive preparation, including researching matcha in Japan and working at Starbucks.
- Opening Matcha House involved significant personal investment, overcoming contractor issues, and relying on friends for help.
- Despite a drastic reduction in salary and long working hours, Yeung finds her current work more fulfilling.
- Matcha House is expected to be profitable in its first year, with Yeung reinvesting profits for business expansion.
- Her personal expenses have been significantly reduced to accommodate her new financial reality.