15 Years Doing What I Hated… 8-Figure Exit. Worth It? - Moneywise Recap
Podcast: Moneywise
Published: 2025-07-14
Duration: 47 min
Summary
Ronan Burda shares his unexpected journey from running a consulting agency he didn't enjoy to achieving an eight-figure exit. Despite years of burnout, he reflects on the lessons learned and the importance of finding joy in work.
What Happened
In this episode, Ronan Burda recounts his unplanned journey into entrepreneurship, where he accidentally founded a consulting agency that ballooned in size. His path was not a deliberate choice; rather, he emphasizes that he was 'winging it' throughout the process. Despite his success, he admits he never truly enjoyed the work, leading to intense burnout over the years. Now at 44, having exited the business, he finds himself contemplating whether the struggle was worth it, especially after realizing he could have pursued a different path from the start.
Ronan discusses his current life in Singapore, where he is preparing to move to the U.S. He shares how living in Singapore has its challenges, including a monthly burn rate of around $30,000 to $35,000, largely due to high living costs. Despite these expenses, he appreciates the safety and cleanliness of the city. After officially exiting his business six months ago, Ronan has taken the time to reconnect with his love for coding and product development. He finds joy in the instant feedback loop that comes with building products, contrasting it with the elongated decision-making processes he faced as a CEO of a larger company. As he navigates this new chapter, he is eager to explore opportunities in the tech space while prioritizing his mental health and personal fulfillment.
Key Insights
- The importance of enjoying your work for long-term sustainability.
- Burnout can be a significant factor in entrepreneurial journeys.
- Reconnecting with passion projects can rejuvenate a founder's spirit.
- The shift from a structured corporate environment to a more flexible creative process can improve mental health.
Key Questions Answered
What led Ronan Burda to accidentally start a consulting agency?
Ronan Burda describes his journey as largely unintentional, stating he 'accidentally founded a consulting agency that he accidentally scaled to an insane size.' This suggests that his entrance into entrepreneurship was not part of a deliberate plan but rather a series of events that unfolded without a clear roadmap.
How did Ronan's views on work change over time?
Ronan candidly shares that he did not enjoy the work he was doing, stating, 'Did you enjoy the work though? Did you like it? No.' This lack of enjoyment led to significant burnout, but now that he has exited his business, he is exploring new opportunities that align more closely with his passions.
What is Ronan's current situation in Singapore?
Currently, Ronan is in Singapore, where he acknowledges the high cost of living, with a monthly burn of around $30,000 to $35,000. He mentions that the rental for his apartment constitutes a significant portion of this expense, underscoring the financial pressures that accompany living in such an expensive city.
What new projects is Ronan working on post-exit?
After leaving his consulting agency, Ronan has taken about six to seven months to focus on coding and building open source projects. He expresses enthusiasm for this creative outlet, mentioning that he's already built a couple of projects that have garnered interest from communities on platforms like Discord.
How does Ronan feel about his past decisions regarding his career path?
Reflecting on his journey, Ronan admits there's a part of him that wishes he had taken a different path from the beginning, specifically expressing regret over his choice to start in China instead of the U.S. He believes that moving to the U.S. earlier could have led to better opportunities.