'Stress wasn’t sustainable’: 33 year old ex-Deloitte consultant explains why she left tech job for jewellery business

By Admin

11 Sep, 2025

In the high-paced world of consulting and data analytics, stress often comes as part of the package. But for Jessica Yen, 33, a former Deloitte consultant, the relentless pressure became too much to bear. After years in corporate roles, she made a bold decision to pivot her career entirely leaving behind the tech world to launch her own venture, Surfers Jewelry, an e-commerce platform tailored for surfers.

From Deloitte to Data Analytics

Jessica began her professional journey after graduating from UCLA in 2014, joining Deloitte as a technology analyst. What seemed like a promising start quickly turned into a taxing routine long commutes from San Francisco to Walnut Creek and little control over the projects she worked on.

“In consulting, you don't have much control over what projects you work on, and I realized I wanted more say in my career,” Jessica reflected.

This realization pushed her toward tech, where she entered the world of data analytics. She joined Salesforce in 2016 as a marketing analyst, marking her introduction to data-focused work. Soon, she transitioned into business operations and strategy roles at Yelp, and later found herself at the self-driving car startup Cruise in 2019 a role that better aligned with her interest in people and decision-making.

When Stress Became Unsustainable

While her career trajectory looked strong on paper, Jessica struggled with the hidden cost: exhaustion.

“Everyone wants your time and expects you to build dashboards, often with quick turnarounds. You're responsible not only for the work but also for its absolute accuracy. I'd stay late testing dashboards and show up early to present results to executives, walking them through what the data meant and how to act on it. The stakes felt high,” she shared.

After seven years in the demanding field of data analytics, she reached a breaking point. The stress, deadlines, and expectations weren’t sustainable for her lifestyle or long-term health.

First Steps Toward Entrepreneurship

Even before fully leaving tech, Jessica began planting the seeds of entrepreneurship. While still at Cruise, she enrolled in a coaching program in the Bay Area, eventually getting certified and taking on clients. In August 2020, she left Cruise entirely, stepping away from corporate life and leaning into full-time coaching.

That same year, she launched her first product business, Daily Work Journal, which doubled as her introduction to e-commerce. She ran the company successfully until January 2024, when she decided to sell it.

Building Surfers Jewelry

With confidence from her first e-commerce venture, Jessica took another entrepreneurial leap. She launched Surfers Jewelry, a brand designed for the surfing community. Unlike her earlier jobs, this path allowed her to combine creativity, independence, and business acumen without the corporate burnout.

“I had confidence in my ability to run it because it's e-commerce-based, like my journal brand,” Jessica explained.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Looking back, Jessica sees value in her corporate journey, despite the challenges.

“I always advise aspiring entrepreneurs to have a corporate career before striking out on their own. Whatever you specialize in becomes your edge as an entrepreneur,” she wrote in her essay for Business Insider.

Her story underscores a crucial lesson: corporate experience can provide the skills and discipline needed to thrive in entrepreneurship, but ultimately, finding a career that aligns with personal sustainability and passion matters most.