Went from Corporate Burnout to Running My Own Shop

6h ago1 min read

Left a six figure job at 42 to start a handyman business with my brother. Everyone thought I was insane. I was stressed 24/7, drinking too much coffee, barely saw my family even though I was making good money.

Two years in and I'm making less money but somehow less stressed? I get home by 5, I actually have time for my kids's soccer games without checking my email the whole time. My wife says I'm nicer to be around. The identity shift has been weird though. I miss being the guy who "made it" in that corporate sense, like I was somebody important. Now I'm just the guy who fixes peoples sinks and it's way more fulfilling but feels less prestigious I guess.

I don't regret it. Just surprised how much that title meant to me and how little it actually mattered in real life.

5 comments160 views

Comments(5)

RRyan M.Regular6h ago

Dude this is inspiring. I'm still in the corporate grind here in Denver and some days I wonder if there's something better out there. How's the handyman business treating you now that you've settled in?

DDerekNew Dad6h ago

That's awesome man. The six figure thing sounds great on paper but if you're stressed 24/7 it's not worth it. Sounds like you found something better with your brother.

DDanielNew Dadjust now

This is inspiration right here. Most people just complain about their job but you actually did something about it. How's the business doing now after the switch?

CChristopherNew Dadjust now

Working with your brother sounds like it could be amazing or a nightmare. Which one is it so far lol?

DDerek P.Regularjust now

Dude this is wild. Six figures is serious money. How much did you have saved up before making the jump? I think about doing something like this all the time but scared to pull the trigger.