From Meta to 20-Hour Weeks

Jason Shen, 40, left Meta in June 2023 after nearly three years as a product leader, walking away from an annual cash compensation of about $250,000. His decision, reported by Indiatimes, was driven by a growing sense that the corporate life was not sustainable.

"The money was great," Shen told Indiatimes, but he couldn't imagine doing the same thing for another two decades.

Before Meta, Shen spent two years at Etsy and founded a technology company that was later acquired by Facebook. That acquisition eventually led to his role at Meta as a product leader, a position many would consider a career peak.

The Costs of a Corporate Career

Shen described his workdays at Meta as filled with endless meetings, document reviews, reorganisations, and constant internal changes. Though the paycheck was substantial, the stress was mounting. He couldn't picture himself in that same routine for years to come.

By the time he left, Shen had saved around $150,000 to support himself while building his next venture. He started coaching startup founders on the side, a practice that grew into Refactor Labs, which he launched in 2024.

Refactor Labs: A New Model

Today, Refactor Labs focuses on helping startup founders — with a specialisation in co-founder conflicts, a niche Shen identifies with as a "Cofounder Conflict Coach." His clients typically sign up for three-month packages, and all coaching happens over Zoom, with AI tools handling administrative tasks.

The business generated $369,000 in revenue over the past 12 months, according to Indiatimes, while Shen works around 20 hours a week. He says he hopes to eventually surpass his former Big Tech compensation, though that goal remains ahead.

Outside of work, Shen spends time with family, fitness routines, and creative projects, including writing a book. His LinkedIn profile also lists roles as a founding board member at Lunar Accel since October 2023, along with angel investing positions at FSH Technologies and Scout.

A Changing Definition of Success

Shen's story raises a question that many professionals are beginning to ask: is a bigger salary the same as a better life? His answer appears to be no — at least for him. The 20-hour workweek, the regained personal time, and the freedom to pursue creative work have reshaped how he defines achievement.

Without naming a specific goal, Shen has said he would have had to "grind" for years to earn millions more at Meta, a path he chose not to take. His current trajectory, though still building, is already filling the gap left by the corporate ladder.