Wealthy Parents / Jaded
So I completed 3 years at an investment bank and left after my bonus; I am now 6 months into a startup role and am on the verge of quitting. My quality of life in banking was at an all time low (as I expected, but I can't begin to justify staying in this type of work), even having maintained a decent fitness and diet routine, the lingering stress and hours of this job were just insane and startup life is similar hours wise (but to be fair at least there aren't partners/MD's breathing down your neck).
Anyways, I have broadly come to realize that this path really isn't worth it to me, my parents were immigrants and made it from '0 to 1' (came with nothing and did well enough for there to be a sizable safety net); it feels like best case, going down the IB/PE/startup employee path to achieve a 'similar level of success' (tbh I'm not good/motivated enough at any of this stuff to make tens of millions as an employee) to what they were able to doesn't seem like a great use of my life (I also have low conviction in the specific startup that I'm working at for various reasons).
I am broadly inspired to pursue an entrepreneurial path; I have the opportunity to join my dad/friends of my dad in a physical/industrial type of industry (where I would like to learn then venture off on my own with support of my dad/his partners) or alternatively just go down a totally different route (considering a consumer product startup based on some product gap in the US that I think is ripe for disruption).
Many of my friends stuck with IB/PE; I do respect it but many of them are having legitimate health issues (heart palpitations, early baldness, severe anxiety/depression and associated issues); and that is just 0% worth it to me. For some of them it's a legitimate way to achieve a better life / support their parents but I'm blessed to not be in that position. Just ranting
i know chicks from dynasty families and mid 8 figure inheritances still grinding it out in IB
I’m about 20 years older than you but not a dissimilar background.
To be clear, I’m probably a top 5% IB outcome 20+ years later so YMMV.
The reason I stayed in IB was partly because I liked it and things kept working out for me and partly because despite being very close to my dad, there was no way I would have remained close if I went into business with him.
Imagine if I had to tell him to F off about some negotiation point about my own comp (big issue in family business, got a buddy of mine whose family are billionaires who is my age, is the CEO, and he still negotiate with his dad for his comp) or had a disagreement on business strategy. It would have been a disaster because I don’t really take shit from people and he doesn’t listen to anyone (albeit very successful).
Everybody needs to choose their own path in life and if you’re miserable / not able to perform? Thats the main driver. But make sure you know what you’re getting into and whether you really want your family as an investor or employer (and when they own the majority you are an employee).
Very similar story - love my dad but don't want to be in business with him. Much easier to maintain that relationship outside of doing business together at least for me.. ymmv.
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