Leaving a $390K Tech Job for a Silk Dream

In 2025, Shiyao Tang made a life-altering decision. She walked away from a lucrative career as a strategy and operations manager at DoorDash to pursue a personal dream. Her departure from the tech giant was not impulsive; it was the result of a five-month planning period dedicated to her new venture, Soir Si.

Today, Tang splits her time between New York City and Paris, focusing on creating simple, minimal sculptural silk pieces. While she admits to moments of lingering self-doubt, she has found a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for life that was missing in her corporate role.

Tang was on a strong upward trajectory at DoorDash when she resigned. Earning a total compensation of $390,000, she acknowledged that the role offered great benefits and ample room for professional growth. However, she realized her heart was no longer in the work. The decision to leave was driven by a long-term calling to return to entrepreneurship.

The process of leaving was fraught with emotion. Tang spent five months journaling, reflecting, and conducting foundational discovery work. She dedicated every weekend to testing ideas and seeking early feedback from friends and potential customers. Despite her preparation, the final step required immense courage.

"I still constantly ask myself if I made a huge mistake. How could I just leave a job that most people would dream of?"

Yet, the fear of regret outweighed the fear of the unknown. She was determined not to look back and feel she had climbed the wrong mountain.

Tang’s career at DoorDash was challenging and rewarding, allowing her to wear many hats and build deep friendships. However, she felt a growing disconnect from the people she was building for. She missed the direct interaction with customers that she experienced during an earlier entrepreneurial chapter in fashion wholesale.

Her background played a significant role in this realization. Moving from China to the US at 16 and studying abroad in Paris gave her a unique perspective. She thrived on working with people from distinct backgrounds and creative disciplines.

• Strategy and operations manager on the homepage team
• Deep friendships with talented colleagues
• Early career experience in fashion wholesale

She realized she wanted her career to reflect this multicultural, creative energy. This desire eventually led her to the idea for Soir Si.

After five months of deliberation, Tang settled on Soir Si, a brand dedicated to making luxury accessible through simple, minimal sculptural silk pieces. The name itself evokes the evening (Soir) and the silk (Si), hinting at the brand's aesthetic. She spent time connecting with other founders at events, which helped her visualize her future as an entrepreneur.

Her first month after quitting was dedicated to building a strong visual and emotional identity. She enrolled in online courses and partnered with a freelancer to establish the brand's foundation. The subsequent stages involved:

1. Developing the website
2. Connecting directly with customers
3. Opening up the supply chain

Currently, she is focused on securing relationships with manufacturers and sprinting toward product development. Her supply chain spans continents, with a branding designer in Italy and manufacturers in Portugal.

The transition was not without its challenges. Tang noted that the initial weeks were consumed by the logistics of the transition, leaving little room for doubt. However, as she hit a steep learning curve, anxiety began to surface. She had to quickly learn the intricacies of manufacturing, production, and finding a pattern-maker.

Her first visits to manufacturers in New York were intimidating. She recalled feeling alienated because she didn't speak their "language" and was treated as if she had no idea what she was doing. These moments of self-doubt were frequent and overwhelming.

"I realized I had no idea what went into manufacturing or production, or even how to find a pattern-maker."

Despite these hurdles, the highs of building relationships with international partners provided a necessary counterbalance. Establishing these connections from scratch gave her the assurance that she could succeed.

Today, Tang wakes up every day knowing she must work hard to make her dream a reality. The gradual positive feedback from peers and her audience fuels her motivation. She finds fulfillment in discussing the origins of silk and working with a global network of creatives.

While she still experiences moments of fear, they are overshadowed by a steady sense of alignment. She is no longer chasing the perception of success or stability but building something that truly reflects who she is.

Tang acknowledges that leaving a six-figure job is a risky move, but she believes everyone starts from nothing. Her journey is a testament to the willingness to take that first step.

"I'm finally excited about life again. Underneath it all is a steady sense that I'm building something that aligns with who I am."