Taking 30% less

Sometimes, following your heart pays off in ways money can’t measure…

When I started looking for my first switch just a year into my career back in 2018 (from EXL Analytics), I received two job offers.
One company was offering 30% more than the other — a tempting difference for someone early in their career.

Most people would have chosen the higher offer without a second thought. But I was drawn to the founding team, the product, and the culture of the other company — even though it paid less.

I wasn’t great at negotiating then, and couldn’t push the offer up much. My brain said, “Take the higher salary.” But my heart said otherwise.
I took the leap and joined the company offering less, because it felt right.

7 years later… the founder of that same startup became an angel investor in my own company.
Talk about ROI — the returns on that early decision went far beyond salary. 😄

Lesson?
Short-term sacrifices can lead to long-term wins — especially when you prioritize people, vision, and culture over just numbers.