economy
29-year-old making $250k in tech went 'undercover' at a coffee chain before opening her own matcha cafe
Michelle Yeung wasn't happy in tech, despite earning $250,000 a year. Before opening Matcha House, she spent months learning the business.
TL;DR
- Michelle Yeung, a software engineer earning $250,000 annually, felt disconnected from her job and sought a more fulfilling career.
- She decided to open a matcha cafe in Manhattan, believing there was a lack of high-quality options.
- Yeung prepared for the transition by working undercover at Starbucks for several months, traveling to Japan to study matcha sourcing and preparation, and saving over $200,000.
- She opened Matcha House on Manhattan's Lower East Side in July 2025, facing unexpected challenges like contractor issues and flooding.
- The cafe is projected to be profitable in its first year, with Yeung reinvesting earnings back into the business and keeping personal expenses low.