Motivational stories

 ### **5 Inspiring Stories of People Who Left IT Jobs for Skilled Trades/Self-Employment (And Thrived!)**  


These real-life examples prove that **success exists beyond corporate jobs**—with grit, adaptability, and passion.  


---


## **1. From Software Engineer to Organic Farmer (Rajesh Krishnan, Bengaluru)**  

**Background**:  

- Worked at Infosys for 8 years.  

- Burnt out from coding deadlines, dreamed of farming since childhood.  


**Transition**:  

- Quit in 2017, took a **6-month organic farming course** (by NABARD).  

- Started with **1 acre of barren family land** in Tamil Nadu.  


**Struggles**:  

- No water supply → Installed drip irrigation with govt. subsidies.  

- No buyers → Sold veggies via **WhatsApp groups** to local apartments.  


**Success**:  

- Now earns **₹1.2 lakh/month** supplying organic produce to 200+ families.  

- Runs a **YouTube channel** teaching urban farming (50K subscribers).  


**Quote**:  

*"IT gave me money, but farming gave me peace. I wake up to birds, not emails."*  


---


## **2. Ex-TCS Employee to Award-Winning Carpenter (Priya Menon, Kerala)**  

**Background**:  

- Worked in TCS as a tester for 5 years.  

- Hated desk job, loved DIY furniture projects.  


**Turning Point**:  

- Joined a **3-month carpentry workshop** for women (by Kerala Govt.).  

- Started making **eco-friendly bamboo furniture** at home.  


**Hustle**:  

- Sold first products on **Facebook Marketplace**.  

- Got featured in a **home decor magazine** → Orders flooded in.  


**Now**:  

- Runs a **team of 6 carpenters**, supplies to boutique hotels.  

- Won **"Best Woman Entrepreneur 2023"** by Kerala Startup Mission.  


**Quote**:  

*"My code never got applause, but my tables do!"*  


---


## **3. IT Project Manager to Solar Technician (Arun Kumar, Hyderabad)**  

**Background**:  

- 10-year career in Wipro, managed cloud projects.  

- Laid off in 2022 AI restructuring.  


**Pivot**:  

- Trained in **solar panel installation** (Govt. green energy scheme).  

- Started **door-to-door** selling solar solutions for homes.  


**Breakthrough**:  

- Partnered with **local electricians** for referrals.  

- Got a **₹5 lakh contract** to solarize a school.  


**Today**:  

- Runs a **solar consultancy** with 4 employees.  

- Earns **2X his IT salary** with half the stress.  


**Quote**:  

*"AI took my job, but the sun gave me a better one."*  


---


## **4. Ex-Infosys Techie to Goat Farmer (Deepa & Ramesh, Maharashtra)**  

**Background**:  

- Both worked at Infosys Pune for 6 years.  

- Wanted to escape city pollution.  


**Leap of Faith**:  

- Sold flat, bought **2 acres in village near Nashik**.  

- Took **dairy farming training** from BAIF (NGO).  


**Challenges**:  

- No electricity → Used solar-powered milking machines.  

- Market access → Sold **goat milk cheese** to Mumbai cafes via Instagram.  


**Growth**:  

- Now supply **200L milk/day** to local cooperatives.  

- Added **agri-tourism** (city families pay to experience farm life).  


**Quote**:  

*"Our code compiled, but our compost smells like success!"*  


---


## **5. From Call Center to Celebrity Barber (Vikram Singh, Delhi)**  

**Background**:  

- Worked nights at a call center for 8 years.  

- Always groomed friends’ beards for fun.  


**Shift**:  

- Learned **modern barbering** from YouTube + local salon internship.  

- Started **"Mobile Barber"** service for office-goers.  


**Viral Moment**:  

- Gave a **free haircut to a homeless man** → Video got 1M+ views.  

- Featured in **Delhi Times** → Clients included startup CEOs.  


**Now**:  

- Owns a **high-end barbershop** in Connaught Place.  

- Charges **₹1,500/haircut** (vs. ₹200 in villages).  


**Quote**:  

*"I used to handle angry customers. Now I make them look handsome!"*  


---


### **Key Lessons from These Stories**  

1. **Fear is Temporary, Regret is Forever**: All took pay cuts initially but bounced back higher.  

2. **Leverage Your Strengths**: Priya used her IT salary to fund carpentry tools; Vikram used his customer service skills in barbering.  

3. **Community Matters**: Most got early clients through **word-of-mouth/social media**.  

4. **Government Schemes Help**: Solar training, farming subsidies, and skill missions accelerated their success.  


---


### **Your Turn!**  

- **Which story resonates most?**  

- **What’s the *one skill* you’d love to monetize?** (Even if it’s "just a hobby" now!)  


Let me know—I’ll help you brainstorm **your** transition plan! 🔥  


*Fun Fact: The global "blue-collar billionaire" trend is rising. The future belongs to those who **work with their hands AND minds**.* 💡

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