In an era where high-paying tech jobs are often seen as the pinnacle of professional success, stories of individuals walking away from such careers can seem almost unbelievable. Yet, for some, financial security and corporate prestige are not enough to fulfill deeper personal aspirations. This is the story of Shiyao Tang—a former manager at DoorDash—who made the bold decision to leave behind a $390,000-a-year tech career to pursue her passion for silk womenswear.
Her journey is not just about changing industries; it is about redefining success, embracing uncertainty, and following an inner calling that could no longer be ignored. Tang’s transition from the structured world of tech to the creative and unpredictable realm of fashion entrepreneurship offers powerful insights into risk-taking, identity, and the pursuit of meaningful work.
The Comfort and Constraints of a High-Paying Tech Career
Before her entrepreneurial leap, Shiyao Tang had what many would consider a dream job. As a strategy and operations manager at DoorDash, she earned an impressive annual salary of $390,000 and was on a strong upward trajectory within the company.
Her role was dynamic and intellectually stimulating. She worked on the company’s homepage team, tackling complex challenges, collaborating with talented colleagues, and contributing to a fast-growing tech platform. The environment offered stability, benefits, and continuous opportunities for growth.
However, beneath the surface of success, something felt incomplete.
Tang later reflected that while she enjoyed her work, she felt disconnected from the end users of the products she was building. Unlike earlier experiences in her career, where she directly engaged with customers, her role in tech created a layer of distance between her efforts and their real-world impact.
This subtle but persistent feeling of detachment planted the seeds of change.
The Inner Calling: A Long-Standing Passion for Fashion
Tang’s decision to leave tech was not impulsive. It was rooted in a long-standing passion for entrepreneurship and fashion—one that had been developing quietly over the years.
Earlier in her career, she had worked on a fashion wholesale startup, where she built customer relationships from the ground up. That experience left a lasting impression, reminding her of the joy and fulfillment that comes from creating something tangible and interacting directly with customers.
Her multicultural background also played a crucial role in shaping her aspirations. Born in China, Tang moved to the United States at the age of 16 and later spent time studying in Paris. These experiences exposed her to diverse cultures, aesthetics, and creative communities.
Over time, she began to realize that her career in tech, while successful, did not fully reflect her identity or passions. The desire to build something personal, creative, and globally inspired grew stronger with each passing year.
The Decision-Making Process: Five Months of Reflection
Leaving a high-paying job is rarely a spontaneous decision, especially when it involves stepping into an entirely different industry. For Tang, the transition was the result of approximately five months of intense reflection and preparation.
During this period, she dedicated her weekends to exploring potential business ideas. She engaged in activities such as:
- Journaling to clarify her thoughts and goals
- Conducting market research
- Speaking with potential customers
- Networking with other entrepreneurs
- Attending founder events
This phase was both exciting and daunting. Tang described feeling “extremely scared” on a daily basis, yet inspired by the stories of other entrepreneurs who had successfully carved their own paths.
Ultimately, she decided to launch a silk womenswear brand that aligned with her vision of combining elegance, simplicity, and accessibility.
Taking the Leap: Leaving DoorDash Behind
In 2025, Tang made the life-changing decision to resign from DoorDash. It was not an easy moment.
Walking away from a lucrative salary, stable career path, and supportive work environment brought a mix of emotions—fear, sadness, excitement, and uncertainty. She questioned her decision repeatedly, wondering how she could leave a job that many people would consider ideal.
Yet, the fear of regret outweighed the fear of failure.
Tang did not want to look back years later and feel that she had pursued the “wrong mountain.” This realization became a guiding principle, pushing her to embrace the unknown despite the risks involved.
Building a Brand: The Birth of Soir Si
Tang’s entrepreneurial venture materialized in the form of Soir Si, a silk womenswear brand focused on minimalist, sculptural designs.
The brand’s mission is to make luxury more accessible while maintaining high standards of craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal. By focusing on silk—a material associated with elegance and timelessness—Tang aimed to create pieces that resonate with modern consumers seeking both style and substance.
The early stages of building the brand involved several critical steps:
- Developing a clear brand identity
- Designing initial product concepts
- Creating a website and digital presence
- Establishing supply chain relationships
- Engaging directly with potential customers
This process required Tang to quickly learn skills outside her previous expertise, from fashion design to manufacturing logistics.
Navigating a New Industry: Challenges and Learning Curves
Transitioning from tech to fashion presented significant challenges. Unlike the structured environment of a tech company, the fashion industry demanded a different set of skills and knowledge.
One of the biggest hurdles Tang faced was understanding the production process. She had little experience with:
- Manufacturing techniques
- Pattern-making
- Fabric sourcing
- Supplier negotiations
During her initial interactions with manufacturers, she often felt out of place and inexperienced. Some industry professionals treated her as a newcomer who did not fully understand the “language” of fashion production.
These moments were humbling but also essential for growth.
Tang embraced the learning process, gradually building relationships with partners across different countries, including branding designers in Italy and manufacturers in Portugal.
A Global Lifestyle: Between New York and Paris
As her business developed, Tang adopted a global lifestyle that reflected her multicultural background and creative ambitions.
She split her time between New York City and Paris, drawing inspiration from both locations. New York provided a dynamic business environment, while Paris offered a rich cultural and artistic atmosphere that influenced her designs.
This dual-city lifestyle also enabled her to connect with a diverse network of creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.
The Emotional Reality: Doubt, Fear, and Fulfillment
Despite her progress, Tang’s journey has not been free from doubt.
After the initial excitement of launching her business, she began to experience moments of self-questioning. She wondered whether she had made a mistake by leaving such a high-paying job, especially when faced with the uncertainties of entrepreneurship.
These doubts were often triggered by:
- Steep learning curves
- Financial uncertainty
- Lack of industry experience
- Slow initial progress
However, these challenges were balanced by moments of deep fulfillment. Tang found joy in:
- Building something from scratch
- Connecting directly with customers
- Collaborating with creatives worldwide
- Seeing her ideas come to life
For the first time in years, she felt genuinely excited about her work and her future.
Redefining Success: Beyond Salary and Status
Tang’s story highlights a broader shift in how success is defined in today’s world.
Traditionally, success has been measured by factors such as salary, job title, and corporate achievements. While these metrics remain important, they are increasingly being complemented—or even replaced—by considerations such as:
- Personal fulfillment
- Creative expression
- Work-life alignment
- Purpose-driven work
For Tang, success is no longer about climbing the corporate ladder but about building a life that aligns with her values and passions.
The Risks of Entrepreneurship
Leaving a stable job to start a business involves significant risks, and Tang’s journey is no exception.
Some of the key risks she faced include:
Financial Risk
Giving up a $390,000 salary meant sacrificing financial security and predictable income.
Career Risk
Transitioning to a new industry required starting from scratch, with no guarantee of success.
Emotional Risk
Entrepreneurship can be isolating and stressful, especially during the early stages.
Market Risk
The fashion industry is highly competitive, with constantly changing trends and consumer preferences.
Despite these risks, Tang chose to move forward, driven by the belief that the potential rewards—both personal and professional—were worth it.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Tang’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone considering a similar path:
1. Listen to Your Inner Voice
Persistent feelings of dissatisfaction may indicate a deeper need for change.
2. Prepare Before You Leap
Tang spent months researching and planning before making her decision.
3. Embrace Uncertainty
Fear is a natural part of taking risks, but it should not prevent action.
4. Be Willing to Learn
Entering a new industry requires humility and a commitment to continuous learning.
5. Define Your Own Success
True fulfillment comes from aligning your work with your values and passions.
The Role of Courage in Career Transitions
Courage is a central theme in Tang’s story. Leaving a secure job for an uncertain future requires not only practical preparation but also emotional resilience.
Tang demonstrated courage in multiple ways:
- Acknowledging her dissatisfaction
- Exploring alternative paths
- Taking action despite fear
- Persisting through challenges
Her journey serves as a reminder that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act in spite of it.
The Future of Soir Si
While still in its early stages, Soir Si represents more than just a business—it is the embodiment of Tang’s vision and identity.
The brand’s focus on silk womenswear, minimalist design, and accessible luxury positions it within a growing segment of the fashion market. As consumers increasingly seek quality, sustainability, and authenticity, brands like Soir Si have the potential to resonate deeply.
Tang’s ongoing efforts to refine her products, strengthen her supply chain, and connect with customers will play a crucial role in the brand’s future success.
A Broader Trend: Purpose Over Pay
Tang’s story is part of a larger trend in which professionals are prioritizing purpose over pay.
Across industries, more individuals are choosing to:
- Leave high-paying jobs
- Start their own businesses
- Pursue creative or passion-driven careers
This shift reflects changing values in the modern workforce, where fulfillment and meaning are becoming as important as financial success.
Conclusion: The Price of Following Your Dreams
The decision to leave a $390,000 tech career for a silk womenswear brand is not one that can be taken lightly. It involves significant sacrifices, risks, and uncertainties.
Yet, for Shiyao Tang, the move represents something far more valuable than financial gain—it represents authenticity, purpose, and the courage to pursue a dream.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that success is not a one-size-fits-all concept. For some, it lies in corporate achievements and financial stability. For others, it is found in creativity, independence, and the pursuit of passion.