These 3 founders hated their 9-to-5 jobs so much they launched their own companies

The founders said that the grind from their corporate lives pushed them into trying out different ventures that turned out to be quite successful. (Illustration: Copilot)

For some entrepreneurs, the spark to start a business doesn’t come from a grand vision—it comes from sheer dissatisfaction with the daily grind. Three founders, now leading multimillion-dollar ventures, walked away from traditional careers not because they had a perfect plan, but because they couldn’t stand another day in a job that didn’t inspire them.

Loren Castle: From cancer recovery to cookie dough queen
Loren Castle, founder and CEO of Sweet Loren’s, turned a life-altering cancer diagnosis into a mission to create healthier sweets. Fresh out of college and juggling jobs in PR and the restaurant industry, Castle realized she wasn’t fulfilled working for someone else. “Life is short. I don’t want regrets,” she told Fortune. That clarity pushed her to quit her “real” job and launch a cookie dough brand that now dominates shelves at Target, Whole Foods, and Costco, valued at $120 million.

Bryant Gingerich: Engineer-turned-rental mogul

Bryant Gingerich found himself similarly uninspired in his engineering role. His turning point came with the discovery of a wooded land parcel for sale. That discovery changed everything. Alongside his wife Amy, he built Dunlap Hollow, a short-term rental business that brought in over $700,000 in 2024 alone. With $350,000 in net profits, Gingerich finally left his 9-to-5 behind. “I don’t think I ever want a 9-to-5 again. I honestly haven’t even missed it one time,” he told the publication.

Mette Lykke: From consulting to conscious capitalism

Mette Lykke left her job at McKinsey without a business plan—just a desire to build something of her own. She and her colleagues brainstormed 10 startup ideas, eventually launching a fitness app later sold for $85 million. That success paved the way for her current role as CEO of Too Good to Go, a sustainable food app tackling food waste. “A lot of aspiring entrepreneurs are just sitting there in their corporate jobs waiting for that lightning moment,” Lykke told Fortune. “Sometimes, you just have to leap.”