Why I Left a Seven-Year Career at PwC to Build a Startup

The decision to leave wasn't born from burnout, but from a lack of headspace to pursue personal ambition. While working at the firm, Stephenson and a friend began developing an app called Fluid Focus, designed to help users manage screen time and improve concentration. The sabbatical allowed them to travel through South America while treating the business as their primary focus rather than a weekend hobby.

Financial discipline made the transition possible; Stephenson had spent three years saving, which mitigated the risk of an unpaid leave. By July 2024, the pair had developed a minimum viable product and secured a spot in a Belfast-based accelerator program. Although he initially extended his time away to maintain a safety net, he officially resigned in April 2025. Following a successful £640,000 funding round, the startup is now transitioning from a prototype phase to a scale-up operation. For Stephenson, the move proved that taking a break to experiment is a more calculated risk than remaining in a role that no longer aligns with his goals.