Quit My KSh150k Job Because My Mean Boss Refused to Give Me Leave – Best Decision I Made

When Joan Mutiso landed a business development job at a thriving Nairobi tech startup fresh out of university, she felt on top of the world.

At 22 years old, she was earning KSh150,000 a month and loving the perks that came with working at a hip, modern company.

Or so she thought.

Just a few months into the job, Joan encountered an obstacle that would spur her into making one of the boldest decisions of her life.

This is the story of how Joan walked away from a high paying corporate career to forge her own path, and how it turned out to be the best choice she ever made.

The Dream Job Quickly Sours

Joan was eager to prove herself in her new sales role. She took on extra projects and passed all her performance reviews with flying colors.

However, about 6 months into the job, she started having issues with Peter, her manager. He was rarely in the office for supervision. When he was around, he was either hungover from drinking or in a nasty mood.

Requests for time off were consistently denied by Peter even when Joan had covered for coworkers on their leave. When she tried addressing it, he accused her of not being a team player.

The final straw came when Joan’s grandmother died suddenly. Peter refused to approve bereavement leave for the funeral despite company policy granting 5 days.

“At that point I knew no job, regardless of perks or salary, was worth sacrificing my dignity and well-being,” Joan recalled.

Taking a Leap of Faith

Against the advice of friends and family, Joan marched into Peter’s office the next day and quit effective immediately.

She had some savings to sustain herself for a few months, but no concrete back up plan. Still, she exited gracefully and with conviction.

“As scared as I was, I felt this huge weight lift off my shoulders almost instantly. I was finally in control of my own destiny.”

The next week, Joan took time to grieve her grandmother and recharge. She knew she needed to figure out her next steps carefully.

Soul searching made Joan realize that while she appreciated the opportunity, she never felt truly passionate about the company’s product itself. Her passion was for marketing and building brands.

So Joan set the audacious goal of launching her own marketing consulting agency before funds ran dry.

Validating a New Idea

Unsure if businesses would pay for marketing help from such a young upstart, Joan needed to validate demand.

She created a basic website showcasing her experience and skills. On Instagram, she positioned herself as an industry thought leader by sharing marketing tips.

Joan also reached out personally to small business owners in her network, offering free marketing audits. The positive feedback gave her the confidence to move forward.

Within two months, Joan landed her first paid client, a consumer goods startup looking to accelerate growth.

For Joan, getting that first client win so quickly was the sign she needed.

Scaling Up Strategically

Working out of her tiny apartment, Joan delivered incredible results for her first few clients.

She demonstrated the value of digital marketing and helped struggling businesses double and triple their online revenue.

Referrals started pouring in. As Joan took on more clients, she reinvested earnings back into her agency:

• Upgraded her equipment
• Built a proper website
• Hired an assistant and freelance designers
• Rented actual office space

Within a year, Joan grew her agency to $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue with 5 retainer clients.

Joan remarks:

“I stayed laser focused on delivering an incredible service and the growth followed. Never compromise on your standards.”

Living Life on Her Own Terms

Today, two years since taking that scary leap into entrepreneurship, Joan could not be happier with her decision.

Her lifestyle is worlds apart from the corporate hamster wheel:

• She sets her own schedule and meetings.
• She works when and where she wants – at home or while travelling.
• She handpicks clients she’s excited about.
• She feels fulfilled helping businesses thrive using her expertise.
• She earns significantly more than her old salary.

Joan leaves us with this advice:

“Don’t fall into the trap of chasing titles or money alone. If a job doesn’t align with your well-being or passion, don’t settle. Take control of your career on your own terms.”

At just 24, Joan’s story is a testament that with courage and dedication, you can build the life and work you envision for yourself. The only limit is your imagination.

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