Why I Quit My Job 3 Weeks Before My Son Was Born

We all share it. It’s something that’s difficult to put into words, but it’s probably the single most important thing in all of our lives. It’s what burns deepest inside of us. It’s what keeps us up at night. Some call it vision, some call destiny, some call it our life’s work. It’s different for everyone, and it’s largely dependent what values we hold in the highest esteem. Not to get all philosophical on you, but over the past 12 months, after 30 years on this Earth, I figured out what mine is. It’s freedom, family, and ability to have a positive impact on the people I come in contact with. That’s what is most important to me, and it’s the reason I did something completely nutty a month and a half ago and quit my job three weeks before the birth of my first born child.

Needless to say my wife wasn’t thrilled, and understandably so. She didn’t speak to me for 3 days. Her maternity leave package isn’t exactly what you would call lucrative, and we live in one of the most expensive areas in the world, New York. I left a stable job where I was on pace to clear $60K to pursue opening my own marketing company with three clients with a total contract value of $26K, three weeks before our child’s due date. The day I quit, she begged me to stay for a few more months, and I actually walked into work with the intention of doing so, but while sitting in front of my director, with whom I’m close with, I called an audible and quit. So let me fill you in on the details.

I was working an inbound sales role at a tech startup selling a CRM software to help business owners manage their online marketing. The product was amazing and so was the company, and for certain business owners it was something that could really have an impact on their bottom line. What frustrated me was the fact that many of the inbound leads we were getting were not good candidates for the software, and I had the skill set needed to help them in other ways via web site design, social media marketing, and search engine marketing. Of course I couldn’t sell them my services, but I saw an opportunity to do what I’m very passionate about, and thats have a positive impact on their business and their lives.

So while working there, I started a tech company of my own with my business partner, whose an SEO whiz. My web design skills combined with his SEO knowledge, and the budding industry of social media marketing meant we could offer a level of customizable digital marketing solutions that could have an incredible impact on any businesses bottom line. We were doing incredibly well and building our book of business when I was blindsided one Monday. Someone had seen I was doing this on none other than LinkedIn, and I was presented with an ultimatum. I would have to quit or move to outbound sales, and sign a contract stating I would no longer run my business on the side. I was lucky to not be fired immediately, because what I was doing presented a major conflict of interest given I had access to inbound leads. I understood their position, and signed a contract stating that I would sever ties with my partner and no longer conduct my business on the side. For me it was soul crushing. My freedom and ability to help others was completely swept out from underneath me, and I was to just do what I was hired to do like a good worker bee. So that lasted about 3 days.

It never ceases to amaze me a person’s will to follow their heart, despite what reason may tell them. I knew I would be miserable if I stayed, as I wouldn’t be able to pursue my own mission, which is helping others learn, grow, and improve. The freedom I value so much is the same freedom I admire most in the entrepreneurs I have the pleasure of helping, and nothing compares to the feeling I get to see their business grow as a result of the services I provide. It’s what provides me absolute certainty that I will be able to provide for my family and grow this business. Since leaving 6 weeks ago, we’ve doubled our revenue and I’m well on my way to meeting or exceeding the income I was projected to make with the company I was with. What’s even better is I’m reselling their CRM as an agency partner, which adds a ton of value to the portfolio of solutions we can offer. I hold no bad feelings towards them, in fact I’m happy things worked out as they did. They did me a huge service, whether they realize it or not, and I’ll be forever grateful for the time I spent with them.

So as I sit here writing this next to my 3 week old baby boy, I want to deliver this message to you. Never shy away from what you value most, and pursue with unrelenting passion what drives you the most. When it’s all said and done, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing you did, and you’ll enjoy a hell of a ride along the way.

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