Engineer Leaves $200K FAANG Job, Builds Solo Business Earning $15K/Month

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A software engineer recently quit a six-figure FAANG salary, citing burnout from 60-hour workweeks, cancelled projects, and stagnant skill growth despite high pay. The engineer launched an independent venture with no investors or external funding, starting with zero revenue in the first month. Revenue gradually grew to $2,000 by month three, $8,000 by month six, and reached $15,000 per month by the end of the first year. The author argues that high-paying corporate engineering roles often trade genuine productivity and personal time for performative work culture and lifestyle inflation. The piece encourages engineers to evaluate whether their jobs offer real growth and fulfillment, beyond just financial compensation.

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ProgrammingDEV Community ·

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