I Quit My $250K Tech Job — Now I Make $33K Selling Matcha

Michelle Yeung, 29, left a $250,000 a year software engineering job in New York to open Matcha House, a cafe on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In 2026, she expects to pay herself about $33,000, an 87% pay cut, but says she’s happy with her decision. This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money. Produced by: Mickey Todiwala Managing Producer: Beatriz Bajuelos Editor: Nic Golden Henry Animator: Alisa Stern Reporter: Mike Winters Senior Production Manager: Kathy Mavrikakis Production Assistance: Meline Rosales Additional Footage: Michelle Yeung Subscribe to CNBC Make It.: http://cnb.cx/2kxl2rf Watch CNBC on the go with CNBC+: https://www.cnbc.com/WatchCNBCPlus About CNBC Make It.: CNBC Make It. is a new section of CNBC dedicated to making you smarter about managing your business, career, and money. Want to lead with confidence and bring out the best in your team? Take CNBC's new online course, How To Be A Standout Leader. Expert instructors share practical strategies to help you build trust, communicate clearly and motivate other people to do their best work. Sign up today: https://cnb.cx/4bWNJqg Connect with CNBC Make It. Online Get the latest updates: https://www.cnbc.com/make-it Find CNBC Make It. on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBCMakeIt Find CNBC Make It. on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBCMakeIt Find CNBC Make It. on Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCNBCMakeIt Find CNBC Make It. On LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/MakeItLinkedIn #CNBC #CNBCMakeIt #MillennialMoney I Quit My $250K Tech Job. Now I Make $33K Selling Matcha