How to Transition from Tech to a Creative Career – Katharina Huang | Ep 92

Hey friends, it's Wisdom here! In today’s episode, I sat down with Katharina Huang—author, traveler, and creator of the Veg Out Voyage Puzzle book series. We dove deep into her bold journey from Silicon Valley data scientist to self-employed creative, and how life changes (like her father’s stroke) reshaped her priorities. Katharina shared the real costs and fears of leaving the 9-to-5, the joy of designing a life around puzzles and travel, and the rollercoaster ride of self-publishing and online business. What I really hope you take away: it’s okay to pivot, to build something truly yours from scratch, and that mistakes are part of the process. Your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—you can find momentum and meaning in ways that surprise you. Thanks for listening, and keep walking your own wisdom journey!Connect with Katharina HuangWebsite:https://vegoutvoyage.com/I’m building an online business in public — sharing every win, setback, and “I can’t believe that happened” moment along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to start from scratch, come along for the ride. Join the journey at https://wisdom.beehiiv.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Katharina's Background01:33 Life in Silicon Valley and Career Path04:22 Burnout and Realizations Post-Pandemic07:21 Deciding to Leave Tech 09:33 Family and Friends’ Reactions10:37 Impact of Her Father’s Stroke17:51 Life After Quitting: Plans and Self-Care19:46 Creating Travel Puzzle Game Books22:03 Lessons from Self-Publishing24:22 Tech Skills: Data Science Meets E-commerce26:32 Platform Choices: WordPress vs Shopify29:29 Overcoming Challenges of Solopreneurship33:24 Explaining Her Work for All Ages35:34 Surprises as a Solo Creator37:41 Marketing Insights and Social Media40:30 Newsletter and Building Community43:10 Practical Newsletter and Sales Tips44:39 Measuring Website Traffic and Ads46:41 Podcasting and Audience Building47:46 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect