An Indian entrepreneur has revealed his transformative journey from a prosperous position at JPMorgan to the invigorating world of startups.
Semlani recounted that two years within the esteemed banking institution left him feeling depleted and disillusioned; it was during a ten-day meditation retreat that he ultimately chose to resign.
“Two years into my tenure at JPMorgan, I became acutely aware of my disenchantment with life. The experience had become mechanical,” Semlani shared with Business Insider.
Prior to embarking on his professional career, Semlani pursued studies in Commerce and Economics at Mumbai’s Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics. Subsequently, he relocated to the United States on a temporary work visa.
“I commenced my journey at JPMorgan in 2015, initially as an intern on a U.S. visa. Upon returning to India, I ascended to the role of associate within the asset management division, focused diligently on advancing my career,” he recounted.
By the age of 26, however, the relentless grind had sapped him of joy, leaving him increasingly estranged. “At 26, my days blended into one another. My routine began at 9:00 AM with the same meetings and actions, before concluding at 7:00 PM. During this period, I lost friends and meaningful relationships,” he reflected.
In quest of respite from the numbing routine, Semlani impulsively enrolled in a meditation retreat. This time away from work and technology allowed him to clarify his aspirations.
“I whimsically signed up for a 10-day silent meditation retreat, aiming for a digital detox, and returned with newfound clarity: it was time to leave,” he asserted.
“I envisioned no future for myself at JPMorgan. I had merely acclimatized to the perks of status, recognition, and financial gain,” he admitted.
Beyond monetary compensation, the position endowed him with social prestige.
“When introducing myself at events, stating I was affiliated with JPMorgan commanded attention. People exhibited heightened interest upon learning of my employment. I reveled in the validation, reluctant to relinquish it,” he confessed.
Nevertheless, the retreat illuminated the necessity for a reprieve from the corporate milieu. Lacking a definitive career trajectory, he chose to resign and, in February 2018, transitioned to join a startup, accepting a substantial salary decrement.
“I accepted a 70% pay cut to work for a startup that resonated with me,” he divulged to Business Insider.
Semlani stepped in as a customer service associate for a company that aided Indian students in pursuing higher education abroad.
However, by late 2019, misfortune struck as he was laid off. Yet, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic afforded him the opportunity to delve deeply into entrepreneurship.
“I resolved to fully commit to my startup concept as a co-founder,” he articulated. “The initial phase of fundraising and development proved challenging.
There were moments, six months in, when I would cry myself to sleep, questioning, ‘When will this end?’ Yet, upon waking, I remembered that this was my chosen path, my true calling.”
Five years down the line, his startup, Tartan, has secured an impressive $6 million in funding.
Source link: Indianexpress.com.
