Why I Left a Well-Paying Corporate Job Before Making a Penny From Content Creation

And how long it took me to replace my salary

In December 2020 I left a stable, well-paying career to try my hand at content creation–before ever having made a dollar as a creator. 

Some of you might feel a shudder of anxiety. How could she do that? Wasn’t it terrifying? Others might be wondering, How can I do that?

When I was growing up, creative career paths weren’t widely available. Now, new job opportunities emerge every day, especially as technology evolves and social media shifts. Many of us realize—sometimes years into our careers—that we’re in the wrong line of work. And sometimes, the jobs we wish we had didn’t even exist when we started out.

I wanted to share my own story in case it resonates with any of you who are feeling called to do something other than what you’re doing now. This isn’t an overnight success story, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of consistency, dedication, and even more faith in yourself and what you’re creating. If you’re still with me, let’s get to the good stuff: why I did it, how you can do it, what it might cost you, and how to take the big leap.

My “Why”

I graduated from the University of San Diego and landed the most prestigious job I could think of at the time: a role at PwC, one of the Big 4 accounting firms. The structure, competition, and prestige fueled my ambition. A few years in, I wasn’t just surviving the intensity—I was thriving. (In hindsight, I now see that the “only the strongest survive” culture was more toxic than intoxicating, but at the time, it worked for me.)

And then, something major shifted: Kyle entered my life. He had startup experience and a dreamer’s heart. He wanted to create, work for himself, and turn his passions into a living. His perspective shook me.

At the time, I was working insane hours, and while I was technically succeeding, I felt drained, uninspired, and honestly… replaceable. Was this it? Was this what success was supposed to feel like?

Kyle opened my eyes to a different kind of career—one where work could be as fulfilling as it was challenging. 

My “What”

Next thing I knew, 2020 happened. 

Like everyone else, I was working from home, and for the first time in years, I had time. Time to think, time to question, and time to cook—something I had always loved but never had space to truly enjoy.

So, I started documenting my cooking on Instagram Stories.

At first it was just for fun. But then, something clicked. I didn’t just love making recipes—I loved sharing them. The storytelling, the connection, the creativity—it lit me up in a way my corporate job never had.

And so, I did what every Type A, overachieving, former Big 4 accountant does: I researched everything I could about content creation. 

And then I did what very few Type A, overachieving, former Big 4 accountants do: I quit my job. 

With only 1900 Instagram followers, zero income, and no real plan, I embarked on a path of becoming a professional content creator, fueled by my passion for sharing recipes and the inspiration Kyle gave me. 

The beginning of recipe creating!

The Numbers

Like I said before, this is not a Cinderella, overnight success, get rich quick story! With 1900 followers going into 2021, I set a goal for myself: 100K. I wasn’t clear on what exactly I wanted 100,000 of (followers? dollars?) but I knew I wanted something to strive for. 

I fell very short. I ended the year with 2500 followers and still right at $0 in terms of income earned. But I didn’t quit.

In January 2022 I received my first paid partnership offer–a $300 brand deal with Larabar. I kept working diligently, pushing myself to keep learning and growing as a creator, and my focus and discipline paid off. 

By January 2023, I had grown to 200K+ followers. More importantly, I was booking real brand deals—consistent, well-paying ones.

And then, in March 2023, it happened: my income finally outpaced what I was making in my fourth year at PwC.

It took me 2 years and 2 months to replace my corporate salary.

Milestone achieved!

Your “How”

Quitting without a backup plan isn’t for everyone! It’s financially stressful, mentally draining, and sometimes demoralizing. It’s hard to start from scratch while your peers continue climbing the corporate ladder.

But if there’s even a small part of you that wonders if there’s something more out there for you, you owe it to yourself to explore it.

Here’s what I’d recommend:

• Imagine your dream life. Write out your perfect day from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed.

• Look for themes. Does your dream involve creativity? Freedom? In-person collaboration? These clues can help guide your next step.

• Do a financial inventory. Look at your last six months of credit and debit card transactions. Understand your monthly spending and where you can cut back.

• Test a leaner lifestyle. Before quitting, practice living on a reduced budget. This will help you set realistic savings goals.

• Be patient. It took me a full year to make any money. Most businesses don’t turn a profit for three years. Plan accordingly.

• Treat it like a job before it pays you. Show up every day. Commit to your dream. Be persistent. Set clear goals and performance metrics. In short…WORK at it.

• Tell people what you’re doing. Step into your new identity before you feel ready. Once you act like the person you want to become, the transformation is inevitable.

• Find a community. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely. Connect with people who’ve done what you want to do. It’ll make all the difference.

Have you ever thought of leaving a stable job for something uncertain? If you have, what’s blocking you? Hit reply and tell me your story—I’d love to hear it. 💛

xo,
Olivia