Business and Finance
Indian Man Quits JPMorgan, Takes 70% Pay Cut to Find Purpose — “Success Isn’t Big Paychecks”
Meet Semlani’s Journey from Wall Street to Self-Discovery
Meet Semlani, a young Indian professional who once worked at global banking giant JPMorgan, has become a symbol of what it means to redefine success. After two years in a demanding corporate environment, Semlani decided to quit his high-paying job, take a 70% pay cut, and pursue a more meaningful path. His story, first reported by Hindustan Times, has inspired thousands of professionals questioning the cost of climbing the corporate ladder.
Semlani studied Commerce and Economics at Sydenham College in Mumbai before starting his career at JPMorgan in 2015 as an intern. Over the years, he moved between the U.S. and India, eventually working in the firm’s asset management department. Despite the financial security and prestige, Semlani said his life began to feel “robotic,” with repetitive routines that left him unfulfilled.
“At 26, every day felt the same. I’d go to the office at 9 a.m., attend meetings, and leave at 7 p.m. I was losing touch with friends and relationships,” he recalled.
A Meditation Retreat Sparks Change
The turning point came when Semlani attended a 10-day silent meditation retreat. He initially joined for a digital detox, but the experience gave him clarity about what he truly wanted from life. Away from screens and conference calls, he realized that success shouldn’t be measured by money or job titles.
“On a whim, I signed up for a meditation retreat and came back with the realization that I needed to quit,” Semlani said. “At JPMorgan, I had status and validation, but I wasn’t happy.”
Returning from the retreat, he confronted the fear of giving up stability and a globally respected brand name. But once he asked himself what the worst outcome could be, he found calm in the realization that life would still move forward — and so would he.
Leaving JPMorgan and Starting Over
In February 2018, Semlani officially resigned from JPMorgan. He accepted a position at a small startup that helped Indian students pursue higher education abroad. The move came with a 70% pay cut, a drastic change from his previous corporate salary. He lived with his parents to reduce expenses and learned to live on less.
There were moments of doubt — times he considered returning to his banking career — but the sense of fulfillment kept him going. Unfortunately, in late 2019, he was laid off. What could have been a setback became an opportunity. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Semlani decided to launch his own company.
Building a Business from Scratch
The early days of entrepreneurship were tough. Semlani co-founded Tartan, a tech startup that eventually raised $6 million in funding. The road to success wasn’t easy — he described nights when he cried out of exhaustion and uncertainty.
“There was a time when I went to bed crying every night,” he admitted. “But each morning, I reminded myself that this was the path I chose — this was what I wanted.”
Despite the hardships, Semlani found purpose and fulfillment in building something meaningful from the ground up.
Redefining Success in the Modern World
Semlani’s story mirrors a broader shift in how young professionals view work and success. Increasingly, people are rejecting traditional definitions tied to wealth and status in favor of mental health, balance, and purpose.
“I left JPMorgan without knowing exactly what I’d do next,” he said. “But I knew I wanted to create something that mattered.”
His journey from a structured corporate world to the uncertainty of a startup reflects a growing global sentiment — that personal satisfaction and emotional well-being are just as valuable as financial rewards.
Lessons from Semlani’s Transformation
- Self-reflection matters – The meditation retreat gave him the clarity to make a bold decision.
- Money isn’t everything – Despite losing most of his income, he gained happiness and peace of mind.
- Courage pays off – Leaving comfort behind allowed him to discover his true potential.
A Changing Work Culture
Semlani’s decision highlights a changing work culture where employees are prioritizing mental health, purpose, and work-life balance over traditional measures of success. As more professionals reevaluate their careers post-pandemic, stories like his are becoming increasingly common.
His journey from JPMorgan banker to startup founder serves as a reminder that sometimes, success isn’t about climbing the ladder — it’s about building your own.
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