In a surprising career change, a tech professional ditched offers from some of the world’s leading tech companies, including Google and Apple, to pursue his lifelong dream of opening a candy store. The entrepreneur, who previously held internships at Google, Apple, and Microsoft, recently launched a candy store called “Lil Sweet Treat” in New York City.

The decision to walk away from a promising career in technology came after a chance encounter during a routine walk. “I was on my way to lunch and walked past an empty unit. Immediately, I thought it was the perfect space for the candy shop I’d always envisioned,” she told Business Insider.

The entrepreneur’s career path could have followed a more traditional route. During his first year, he interned as a software engineer at Google, followed by roles at Blackstone Group, Apple, and Microsoft. With such an impressive experience, he received multiple offers from these tech giants. However, as an immigrant who values ​​financial stability, the decision to move into a completely different industry was not taken lightly.

“My mother encouraged me to focus on saving for a house, but I always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she said. Despite the security that came with a career in Big Tech, she decided to join an e-commerce startup as Head of Product, which further fueled her passion to build something of her own.

The concept for the candy shop had been in her mind for years. Growing up in the United States after immigrating at a young age, she would often share Korean snacks with her classmates, who in turn shared their own dishes from different cultures. “This exchange of snacks was a unique way to learn about different cultures, and the joy it brought to everyone involved was something I treasured,” she said.

Over time, her passion for international sweets grew, leading her to explore candy shops around the world during her travels. The positive reactions she received from friends and family when she returned with sweets from her trips inspired her to share this joy with more people.

With the growing popularity of the international candy, she felt the time was right to turn her dream into reality. Together with her husband, she pursued the venture, launching both a physical store and an e-commerce platform. Despite the financial risks, she is confident in her decision. “As an immigrant, taking such a step is challenging, but my passion for this project makes it worth the risk,” she said.