One Woman Quits Her Job to Do Cool Stuff, and Makes it Work

October 25, 2013

Of course, everybody just can’t quit their job to do what they want. But one woman has shown if you’re passionate, determined, and creative, it is possible.

leaving job

(Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks/Flickr)

Miki Agrawal worked in the World Trade Center for Deutsche Bank, but luckily was late to work on 9/11. She realized soon after finance wasn’t personally rewarding and she decided to quit her job to do what she wants. She recently wrote a book, Do Cool Sh*t: Quit Your Day Job, Start Your Own Business, and Live Happily Ever After, advising people how to leave your job to start a business from scratch and make it work.

Do You Know What You're Worth?

Agrawal talked with Forbes about her experience, leaving finance to start a farm-to-table pizzeria in New York City and Las Vegas called WILD. Since, she has also started a high-tech underwear business and has partnered with a children’s multimedia company called Super Sprowtz.

She said it’s important to surround yourself around people you trust and love. Also, to make it work, you really have to want it and learn as much as you can. But she says the most important ingredient in a new entrepreneur is attitude.

“If you really believe in what you’re doing, then it won’t matter that it may take time for you to get the results you want,” Agrawal said. “Settle in and mentally prepare yourself to work for a while. We have to also have a certain level of naivety and a LOT of optimism. Having an overall positive attitude is the deciding factor in the success of your business.”

If you’re thinking about leaving your job for your passion, make sure you quit your job the right way.

PayScale blogger Beth Taylor wrote “leave your job peacefully, graciously, and on good terms.” Schedule a meeting with your boss, let him or her know your leaving and offer to train your replacement. In short, be don’t be a jerk about it.

That said, you could do this, which might not be smart, but it would be awesome.

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