22-Year-Old Quits Rs 2.7 Crore ‘Dream Job,’ Cites 12-Hour Workdays
A 22-year-old executive, Daniel Min, has stepped down as Chief Marketing Officer of Cluely, an AI startup, after saying that relentless 12-hour workdays and a loss of personal freedom pushed him to rethink his career path. The decision came roughly eight months into a role that reportedly paid over $300,000 a year (about Rs 2.7 crore).
Min, a content creator who graduated from The Wharton School with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Operations Management, joined Cluely as CMO in May 2025. While the role initially felt exciting, he said the intensity and sameness of the workload began to wear him down within a few months.
In a recent video message, Min reflected on the pace he kept early in his career. He said he believed that “working all day, grinding 12 hours a day” was the right thing to do at 21, but soon realized he was missing out on small but meaningful moments—like dinners with friends or surprising his younger brother on his 12th birthday.
Min described how his enthusiasm for the job shifted as the months went by. As a leader, he wanted to give everything to the company, and at first the work felt “super fun.” Over time, though, the routine became more monotonous, leaving him questioning whether the path he was on matched his long-term goals.
According to Min, Cluely CEO Roy Lee noticed the change in his demeanor and checked in. That conversation became a turning point. Min said he found the courage to admit he’d been thinking about leaving and grew emotional as he spoke. He expressed gratitude to Lee for his support and guidance, acknowledging that few people had looked out for him more.
Ultimately, Min said the experience made him realize that—even within a close-knit “brotherhood” he spent 12 hours a day with—the ladder he was climbing wasn’t the one he wanted. Walking away from a prestigious title and a high salary, he concluded, was necessary to reclaim balance and pursue a direction that better aligns with his priorities.
Min’s decision underscores a broader conversation among young professionals about the trade-offs of high-intensity roles at fast-growing startups: the thrill and responsibility of leadership weighed against personal well-being, time with loved ones, and long-term fulfillment.
