Ex-Software Engineer Leaves $250K Job for 87% Pay Cut to Open NYC Matcha Cafe — Why She Never Regretted It
A New Chapter for Michelle Yeung
Michelle Yeung, a 29-year-old entrepreneur, is making waves in Manhattan’s Lower East Side with her cafe, Matcha House. Specializing in matcha, the popular green tea drink, the business has been operating for nearly a full year since its opening last summer. Yeung is confident that her venture will be profitable in its first year and has no regrets about leaving behind her previous career to pursue her dream.
From Software Engineer to Entrepreneur
Yeung's journey began in the world of software engineering. Math was always a strength for her in school, and she pursued this field after her older brother suggested it. By the time she graduated in 2019 with a degree in applied and computational mathematical sciences, she had already secured a job offering a total compensation package of $160,000, including salary and bonus.
“I was actually in shock,” Yeung said. “It was just a huge number for me, growing up with such small numbers in my family.”
Despite her salary growing steadily over the years, Yeung felt increasingly disconnected from her work. She realized that she was working for the money rather than the job itself. By 2023, she started saving aggressively and trimming expenses to build a financial cushion to leave the software engineering industry.
The Inspiration Behind Matcha House
Opening a matcha cafe wasn’t the initial plan, but it became her goal after some inspiration while getting matcha with friends in the summer of 2024. She noticed that there weren’t many good matcha places in New York and thought her homemade matcha was better. This realization sparked her decision to open Matcha House.
By early 2025, Yeung had accumulated more than $200,000 in savings and was ready to make the leap into entrepreneurship.
Ramping Up to Matcha House
In preparation for opening Matcha House, Yeung traveled to Japan in the fall of 2024 to learn about matcha sourcing and preparation. Back in the U.S., she worked early morning Starbucks shifts starting at 5 a.m. before her day job began.
“I was on my own little mission,” Yeung told CNBC. “It was so fun to do something physical and just learn this completely new skill, when I’d been sitting behind a computer for the last five years.”
Today, Matcha House runs more smoothly than it did in the beginning, thanks to Yeung hiring about 10 part-time workers. She no longer has to open the store every morning, and although she works far longer hours for a fraction of the pay she once earned, much of the business’ profits are reinvested into Matcha House.
A Fulfilling Decision
Most importantly, Yeung is very happy with her decision to leave software engineering behind.
“My entire life is work, and I don’t regret it,” she said.
Future Plans and Challenges
While Yeung has made significant progress, the road ahead still presents challenges. She expects to pay herself a $33,000 salary in 2026, which represents an 87% pay cut compared to her previous income as a software engineer. However, she remains focused on building a sustainable business and maintaining her passion for her work.
As Matcha House continues to grow, Yeung’s story serves as an inspiration to others considering a career change. Her journey from a corporate employee to an entrepreneur highlights the importance of following one’s passion and being willing to take risks for a more fulfilling life.
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