Summary:
Soni Mehra left her $300,000 job at Uber to pursue her passion for home decor.
She launched Marble Lotus in March 2023, inspired by the South Asian diaspora.
Mehra reinvests all earnings back into her business and currently does not pay herself a salary.
She faces challenges in balancing multiple tasks as a bootstrapper compared to her time in Big Tech.
Despite challenges, Mehra is optimistic about her entrepreneurial journey and open to future opportunities in tech.
In October 2023, Soni Mehra took a leap of faith by leaving her lucrative job at Uber to dedicate herself to her passion for home decor. Her journey from earning nearly $300,000 to bootstrapping her own business, Marble Lotus, is a testament to pursuing one's dreams.
Embracing Change and Challenges
Becoming a full-time entrepreneur has brought about significant changes and challenges for Mehra. Instead of a steady salary, she now reinvests all her earnings back into her business, navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.
My Background and Career Path
Born in Delhi, Mehra's family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when she was five. She pursued a degree in Environmental Economics and Policy at UC Berkeley, eventually landing roles in Big Tech companies like Lime, LinkedIn, and Uber. At Uber, she thrived as a senior product manager, but felt a creative void that prompted her to explore her entrepreneurial aspirations.
Launching Marble Lotus
In March 2023, while still at Uber, Mehra launched Marble Lotus, a homeware store inspired by the South Asian diaspora. With a focus on heritage, she curated products that reflect her culture and launched her first collection online in April 2023. By October 2023, she made the decision to transition to her business full-time, despite doubts from friends and family about the viability of her venture compared to her previous tech salary.
The Reality of Entrepreneurship
Running Marble Lotus has required Mehra to adapt to a different pace of work, often with a lean team. While she enjoys the creative freedom, she faces challenges like managing multiple responsibilities and fluctuating sales. Currently, Mehra does not pay herself a salary, instead relying on savings from her tech career while focusing on reinvesting in her business.
Future Aspirations
Despite the challenges, Mehra remains optimistic about her journey. She is open to the idea of returning to tech in the future, potentially to develop an interior design software company, but for now, her focus is on growing Marble Lotus and solidifying her place in the entrepreneurial landscape.
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