Transitioning from a $250k Tech Job to Opening a Matcha Café – CoffeeTalk

Michelle Yeung, a software engineer earning approximately $250,000 annually, felt increasingly unfulfilled in her career and yearned for a role that contributed positively to others’ lives. After months of contemplation, she envisioned opening a matcha café in Manhattan, inspired by the lack of quality options in the city and questioning why her own matcha was superior. Prior to departing from her high-paying position, Yeung diligently prepared by working early shifts at Starbucks to learn café operations and traveled to Japan to study matcha sourcing, preparation, and serving techniques.

Yeung spent a substantial amount of time informing her business model, including testing various matcha recipes with friends. Her search for suitable storefronts was met with challenges as many landlords hesitated to lease to a novice business owner. Ultimately, she secured an affordable space in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. By March 2025, with over $200,000 in savings, she felt equipped to leave software engineering.

However, the launch of Matcha House faced unforeseen obstacles. Contractors frequently delayed work, and a flood occurred just before a soft opening event. With the support of friends, she managed to prepare the café. On the opening day in July 2025, she dedicated herself to operating the café, often logging 12-hour shifts and whisking every drink personally during the initial months.

As time progressed, Yeung was able to delegate tasks, and her café now employs about ten part-time staff. Matcha House is on track for profitability in its first year, and Yeung is gradually recouping her initial investment, planning to pay herself $33,000 in 2026 while reinvesting earnings back into the business. Emphasizing a shift in her priorities, she remarks that her focus has transitioned from financial gain to the daily activities that bring her happiness. As her first year in business concludes, she expresses gratitude for the survival and continuity of her venture.

Read More @ CNBC