From Tech Worker to $20K-a-Month Entrepreneur: Jean Kang’s Inspiring Journey
In a surprising turn of events, Jean Kang, a 32-year-old former tech worker, has transformed her side gig into a thriving business that brings in about $20,000 monthly. This remarkable story unfolds in the heart of Silicon Valley, where Kang once dreamed of joining the ranks of big tech companies.
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kang was surrounded by the buzz of the tech world. “I felt like I was in a bubble,” she admits. “That’s all I knew, and I wanted to be part of this cool kids club.” After graduating in 2014, she dove headfirst into the tech industry, kickstarting a decade-long career.
But Kang’s path wasn’t always smooth. She faced setbacks, including being fired twice and working for six companies across various roles, like sales, operations, and strategy. However, these experiences would later prove invaluable.
In 2020, Kang landed her first program manager role. She discovered she had a knack for it and focused on honing these skills. Two years later, an unexpected opportunity emerged when people contacted her for mentorship and advice about program management.
Sensing a gap in the market, Kang took action. “I noticed a need… I wanted to help people who were aspiring program managers pivot into this career path,” she explains. In October 2022, she launched Path to PM with a simple LinkedIn post announcing her new coaching business.
The response was overwhelming. By the end of 2023, Kang had earned about $30,000 in revenue and helped ten clients land jobs. “I was very shocked that I could supplement my take-home pay from my tech job,” Kang recalls. “That was such a foreign thought that blew my mind.”
But success came at a cost. Kang worked an extra 15 to 20 hours a week on top of her full-time job. By early 2024, burnout set in. “I was doing two jobs full-time because I had a nine-to-five, and then I had a five-to-nine—literally just did not have breaks,” she says.
Fate intervened when Kang’s startup employer offered a voluntary layoff package with three months’ pay. After careful consideration with her husband, Kang decided to bet on herself and go all-in on her business.
The gamble paid off. Since quitting her corporate job in February, Kang is on track to replace her previous $180,000 annual salary. In just eight months, she’s brought in about $160,000.
Kang has expanded her business beyond one-on-one coaching. She now offers 5-week group programs, secures brand deals, and receives royalties from a LinkedIn Learning course. Her following on the platform has grown to about 100,000.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Kang offers four essential tips:
- Identify a need you’re equipped to solve.
- Create a simple starter product to fill that need.
- Keep improving and growing your offering to earn more while working less.
- Stay focused and get things done.
“I ship things out even when it’s not perfect,” Kang shares. “I’m very focused on the execution… I know what to do and how to get it done.”
Today, Kang works 35 to 45 hours a week on her business, enjoying more freedom than in her corporate days. “I feel really energized… and now I have freedom,” she says. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m continuing to reinvest in myself. I serve as a walking example of when you do things for yourself, and when you’re intentional about it, things work.”
Kang’s journey from tech worker to successful entrepreneur is inspiring for anyone looking to turn their side hustle into a full-time gig. Her story proves that with determination, market awareness, and a willingness to take calculated risks, it’s possible to build a thriving business that brings financial success and personal fulfillment.