Ex-BCG Consultant: I Quit My $300K Job & Did THIS Instead

Today, Aman sits down with Kelly He Sun, ex-BCG consultant turned creator — to unpack what it really takes to walk away from a $300k job at 25 and build a life on your own terms. Kelly breaks down why consulting stopped making sense, how she handled the financial fear of quitting, and the exact systems she used to match her BCG income within a year.

Aman and Kelly dive into the trap of staying in a “stable” job you’ve outgrown, the hidden cost of waiting for the perfect moment, and why creator success has nothing to do with follower count. Kelly shares the behind-the-scenes of UGC, how she started posting with no audience, and what caused her sudden breakout.

This episode is for anyone who knows they’re capable of more but hasn’t made the leap yet. It’s a roadmap for rebuilding your identity, betting on yourself, and starting before you feel ready.

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⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
01:11 Why Consulting Was Never the Plan
03:02 Why Do People Even Do Consulting?
04:44 Why She Stayed Six Years Instead
07:34 Do You Regret Not Quitting Earlier?
09:21 The Financial Reality of Quitting
11:17 What Was Your BCG Salary?
13:06 Why Leave a $300k Job?
17:18 Should You Quit Early or Stay?
21:23 When She Actually Started Her Instagram
24:36 What to Post as a New Creator
26:37 When the Traction Started Coming
29:34 What is UGC and How It Works
31:31 Why Brands Pay for UGC Content
33:17 UGC Rates and Revenue Breakdown
34:59 Monthly Income Breakdown by Source
36:32 Matching Her Consulting Salary in 12 Months
38:27 Why She Succeeded So Fast
41:31 Can Anyone Replicate This Success?
42:34 Is Being a Creator Easier Than Consulting?
44:44 The Follower Count Myth Destroyed
46:04 Exact Revenue Math with 30k Followers
48:38 Multiple Income Streams Strategy
50:08 Final Advice for Burnt Out Consultants
54:36 Outro