From 6-Figure Salary to Startup Stress: Why I Left It All to Start Harissa Studio

Introduction

For a long time, I lived what many would call a dream life. A high-paying job, a leadership title in a booming tech company, a comfortable lifestyle with frequent travels and weekend brunches by the sea. I had made it—at least on paper. But inside, something wasn’t right. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was slowly drifting away from what truly mattered to me. This article is a look behind the curtain. It’s about what happens when you hit pause on comfort and choose to build something from scratch, even if it terrifies you.

‍

The Anxiety No One Talks About

I’m not someone who cruises through life with a calm mind. I’m a classic overthinker. My brain is constantly spinning, analyzing, questioning. Even during moments of peace, I’m already projecting into the next thing. The next problem. The next goal.

So when I say I had a good job, I mean it: I spent seven years as Director of Design at one of the largest tech recruitment platforms in the U.S. The role was prestigious, the salary was more than comfortable, and my team was talented and inspiring.

We moved to the South of France, near the sea, thinking maybe that would calm the storm. But even with the sunshine and slower pace, my internal restlessness remained.

The Invisible Burnout

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes, it’s subtle. You start to lose your spark. You miss the thrill of creating. You stop feeling proud of your work. You wonder if you still "have it."

That’s where I was.

I hadn’t designed a product from scratch in ages. I wasn’t sure I still knew how. Was I still relevant? Still talented? My job title said yes. My gut said no.

The question that haunted me the most wasn’t about skill. It was this: Am I happy?

The Decision to Quit

Eventually, my mind made the choice for me.

After months of trying to suppress the discomfort, I reached my limit. I took a break. And in that pause, clarity came rushing in. I didn’t want to keep climbing a ladder that led somewhere I didn’t believe in.

So I stepped away. From the paycheck. The title. The stability. I chose something uncertain, but mine.

I launched Harissa Studio.

What Is Harissa Studio?

Harissa Studio is a creative design studio focused on helping entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses bring their ideas to life. We build mobile apps, websites, branding systems, and offer creative consulting.

But really, it’s more than that. It’s a home for people like me: anxious builders, thoughtful creators, and big-hearted entrepreneurs who want their ideas to mean something.

The First Clients, The First Wins

What surprised me the most was how quickly people reached out.

Designers. Developers. Founders. Service providers. They had seen the shift I was making and wanted to collaborate. Some needed branding. Others needed websites. Some just wanted to talk.

We worked with Airbnb concierges, AI startups, e-commerce brands, coaches, and even other designers. Each one had their own vision, and we helped them give it shape.

Some projects were one-time. Others became long-term partnerships. But all of them validated one essential truth:

Yes, you can leave a 6-figure salary and build something of your own.

It won’t be easy. But it’s possible.

The Hard Parts No One Posts About

Let’s be real.

This isn’t a success story with a shiny ending. It’s a middle-of-the-journey kind of story. And it’s hard.

The anxiety hasn’t gone away. The fear of financial instability? Still there. The pressure of raising a family while launching a business? Immense.

But there’s also something new: ownership. Autonomy. Meaning.

I get to decide what we build, who we work with, how we show up. That’s a kind of wealth I never had before.

Why Share This Now?

Because I don’t believe in polished narratives.

This isn’t a TED Talk. I’m not here to sell a course or turn you into a millionaire in 5 steps. I’m here to document. To share what it really feels like to bet on yourself. To trade comfort for creativity.

I want to bring you into the kitchen while we’re still figuring out the recipe. Harissa Studio is being built in real-time. Mistakes and all.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a "good" job, or wondered what it might look like to take the leap, this is your window into that world.

‍

Conclusion: You Don’t Need Permission

‍

‍Starting Harissa Studio hasn’t magically solved my anxiety. But it has brought me closer to the kind of work—and life—I actually want.No, it’s not easy. Yes, it’s terrifying. But it’s real.If you’re standing at your own crossroads, here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t need permission to change. You just need a good enough reason.This was mine.

‍

🎥 Curious to see the full story? Watch the video here !

‍