Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Why Kevin Naughton Jr Left Google To Build A Startup
Kevin Naughton Jr had a well-paid job at Google.
He said Google was one of the best regular jobs he could have had.
However, he always wanted to work for himself.
In 2022, his father died, which made him think more deeply about how he wanted to spend his life.
He decided that doing meaningful and satisfying work was more important to him than keeping a comfortable job.
Before leaving, he saved enough money to support himself for several years.
A close friend told him that he could try building a company and return to a job if it did not work.
Naughton Jr then left Google to start his own business.
His decision attracted attention because many people would find his salary difficult to give up.
Kevin Naughton Jr left Google, where he earned nearly $350,000 annually.
He said he always intended to work for himself eventually.
The death of his father in 2022 prompted him to reconsider his priorities.
Naughton Jr saved enough money to create several years of financial runway.
A friend encouraged him to pursue entrepreneurship because he could return to employment if needed.
- Who
- Kevin Naughton Jr, a New York-based technology professional.
- What
- He left Google and its nearly $350,000 annual salary to build a startup.
- When
- He identified 2022, when his father died, as the major turning point; the article does not provide the departure date.
- Where
- The account concerns his work in New York and his former role at Google.
- Why
- He wanted to work for himself and pursue work that made him happier, after reevaluating his priorities following his father’s death.
- Person
- Kevin Naughton Jr
- Former employer
- Reported annual salary
- Nearly $350,000, described in the article as about Rs 3.3 crore
- Major turning point
- The death of his father in 2022
- Career move
- Left employment to build a startup
- Preparation
- Saved enough money for several years of financial runway
- Risk strategy
- He said he could return to a job if entrepreneurship did not work