Background

After completing my graduate studies, I landed a role at Toyota Financial Services (TFS) as a data scientist. The appeal of TFS was its established and expanding Data Science division, a stark contrast to my previous experience. My data science background was primarily from a small academic team of about a dozen individuals. At TFS, I joined a group of nearly 100, most of whom had far more industry expertise than I did. This environment pushed me to learn and grow significantly, yet as time went on, the unforeseen truths of my so-called "dream life" began to surface.

The Wrong Environment

When my manager first inquired about my career goals, I expressed my desire to start my own business. This response seemed to starkly contrast with the usual answer of wanting to advance within Toyota. I found it hard to believe that most data scientists, who typically stay for just 2-3 years, genuinely aimed to climb the corporate ladder. This led me to conclude that I was surrounded by individuals who either lacked ambition or were simply not being honest with themselves. Ultimately, I felt out of place.

You Become Who You Associate With

There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to climb the corporate ladder; I admire those who know what they want and pursue it. However, that was never my vision. I began to realize that being in an environment devoid of like-minded individuals was hindering my journey toward entrepreneurship.

The Realities of Entrepreneurship

When people envision entrepreneurship, especially in the tech sector, they often think of startups, venture capital, and rapid scaling. However, this isn't the reality for most entrepreneurs. Many, like my father, start small businesses not to amass wealth but to make ends meet. This was the entrepreneurial experience I was familiar with and intrigued by.

Pain Over Passion

While it might seem that my exit was driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, the truth is more complicated. Like many people, I tend to be more motivated by the desire to avoid discomfort than by the pursuit of gain. My departure stemmed not from a love for entrepreneurship but from a need to escape the stagnation of not reaching my full potential. I had become too comfortable.

Growth is Vital

Growth is essential for a fulfilling life, much like how trees continually grow. When a tree stops growing, it is likely dead. Humans are similar; we require growth to live meaningfully. Pursuing growth often means embracing discomfort. Yet, we naturally gravitate toward habits that minimize discomfort, especially when we have everything we need and are shielded from real-world risks. As a six-figure data scientist, I checked both boxes.

The Downside of Comfort

Living a life of comfort might seem ideal, but it carries a hidden cost. If discomfort leads to growth, then comfort leads to stagnation. When one lives in a "dream life," it becomes challenging to expose oneself to discomfort, thereby leaving potential unexplored.

Unlocking Our Full Potential

Humans excel at adapting to their circumstances, which highlights the irony of our discomfort aversion. We are capable of tackling difficult challenges when our environment necessitates it. Recognizing this aspect of human nature is crucial to unlocking our potential. Faced with two choices—staying as a data scientist or venturing into entrepreneurship—I realized that the latter aligned more closely with my long-term aspirations.

Taking the Leap

I want to clarify that my decision wasn't impulsive; I had been exploring entrepreneurial ventures alongside my day job for about three years, engaging in content creation and freelance data science work. By the time I considered leaving, I was confident in my ability to sustain myself through my consulting and content creation income. Moreover, I had saved a year’s worth of living expenses, allowing me to take this risk.

How It’s Going

Now, three months into my entrepreneurial journey, things are unfolding as planned. For me, content creation and consulting are intertwined. My content attracts clients for my consulting business, while my consulting work informs my content. Although this may sound straightforward, I have been pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness. Additionally, I've encountered opportunities I never anticipated in my previous role, including collaboration offers and networking with other entrepreneurs.

My Future Plans

Looking ahead, my primary goal is to expand my consulting business, aiming for 20 hours of client work per week as I approach Q1 2024. This will help cover my expenses while allowing me time to invest in my content creation endeavors and other projects. While consulting provides quick revenue, it isn’t my long-term vision. My ultimate goal is to develop a product that can support a team and a sustainable business.

So, here I am, metaphorically jumping out of an airplane and trying to build a parachute on the way down. Wish me luck!

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