A former JPMorgan banker from India made a dramatic career shift that saw him abandon a lucrative corporate position to pursue entrepreneurship, ultimately leading to the creation of his own successful startup.
The Corporate Disillusionment
Rohan Semlani began his professional journey at JPMorgan in 2015 as an intern on a US visa. After studying Commerce and Economics at Mumbai's Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics, he returned to India and became an associate in the asset management department, fully committed to climbing the corporate ladder.
By age 26, Semlani found himself growing increasingly dissatisfied with his 9-to-5 routine. "Every day felt the same. I'd be in the office by 9 am, go to the same meetings, do the same actions, and leave at 7 pm," he recalled. During this period, he noticed he was losing friends and relationships, describing his life as feeling "robotic."
The Turning Point: Meditation Retreat
The pivotal moment came when Semlani signed up for a 10-day silent meditation retreat arranged through the bank. What began as a simple digital detox turned into a life-altering experience that provided unexpected clarity about his future.
"On a whim, I signed up for a 10-day silent meditation retreat with the intention of taking a digital detox, and came back with the clarity that it was time to quit," Semlani revealed. Despite the security and validation that came with the JPMorgan name, he recognized that he needed to make a change.
Embracing the Startup World
In February 2018, Semlani took the courageous step of resigning from JPMorgan. He joined a startup helping Indian students study abroad, accepting a 70% pay cut in the process. Living with his parents helped ease financial pressure, though he still had to significantly scale down his lifestyle.
The journey wasn't without doubts. "At times, I wondered if I should return to JPMorgan, but the fulfilment I found in my new role kept me going," he admitted.
From Job Loss to Entrepreneurship
In late 2019, Semlani faced another challenge when he was laid off. However, the subsequent COVID-19 lockdown provided him with the unexpected opportunity to focus on building his own venture.
"I decided to go all in on my startup idea as a cofounder," Semlani said. The early days proved challenging, with fundraising and building the business testing his resolve. "There was a point in time about six months in where I went to bed crying every day, thinking, 'When will this end?' But I'd wake up the next morning and remember that this is what I signed up for."
Five years into his entrepreneurial journey, his company Tartan has raised $6 million in funding. Semlani's path demonstrates how leaving corporate security for startup uncertainty can ultimately lead to greater personal and professional fulfillment.
