An Indian entrepreneur's candid account of leaving a high-paying corporate job has gone viral, striking a chord with professionals grappling with burnout and the desire for a more fulfilling career. Ashwani Kumar, founder of startup BadaFranchise, shared his story of resigning as Vice President at a ₹300 crore company at age 40 to build his own venture.
The Viral Video
In an Instagram video, Kumar recalled how his corporate life provided all the trappings of success—a big salary, foreign trips, an air-conditioned cabin, a car, financial security, and a comfortable lifestyle. However, despite outward appearances, he felt a persistent inner unease. The nagging thought that he was spending his energy building someone else's brand without creating anything of his own eventually pushed him to make a difficult decision.
"I resigned the next day," he said in the clip, which he posted with the caption: "300 crore ki company chhodne ki kahani — pehli baar camera pe. Ye decision easy nahi tha."
Family Reactions
The fallout at home was immediate. Kumar shared that his mother stopped talking to him for three days after hearing the news, while his wife thought he had lost his mind. Leaving a stable executive role at 40 to enter the uncertain startup world seemed reckless to those around him.
Despite the lack of support, Kumar proceeded with his plan. Today, he runs BadaFranchise, a company that helps Indian businesses expand through franchising. He claims that although he gave up a dream corporate life, he now feels mentally at peace.
Social Media Response
The video, uploaded at 3:42 am when Kumar assumed few would watch it, exploded overnight. By morning, it had garnered lakhs of views, comments, and shares. In the comments, he wrote: "300 CR ki neend me sukoon nahi tha. Aapke 489K views ne sukoon de diya."
Social media users flooded the post with reactions. Many called his story "real motivation," while others expressed similar desires to leave their jobs and start businesses. At a time when burnout, toxic work culture, and corporate fatigue dominate online conversations, Kumar's story has resonated deeply with professionals questioning whether financial comfort is worth sacrificing peace of mind.
Kumar's journey underscores a growing trend of individuals prioritizing mental well-being over financial security, inspiring many to consider their own paths toward fulfillment.
