Top performer at a SaaS Unicorn considering a move to Commercial Insurance. Am I Crazy?
TL;DR: I've been a top 5% SDR at a high growth SaaS unicorn. I’m crushing my numbers, but I hate how my quota resets to 0 every month and quarter. I'm considering a pivot to B2B Commercial Insurance to build a compounding book of business and long term autonomy. Is the 3 years of hell for 30 years of freedom trade off real, or am I over glorifying it?
Longer version for more context on me:
I’m in my early 20s and currently an SDR at a very hot SaaS company. On paper, I feel like I'm killing it. I am consistently top of the leaderboard hitting 150%+ of quota monthly, and tracking for an AE promotion.
The problem: I’ve realized I hate the SaaS sales model. I seriously hate that my value to the company resets to zero every single month. I’m tired of the what have you done for me lately culture, the constant micromanagement of activity metrics (dials, emails, LinkedIn, etc.), and the chronic anxiety of a resetting quota. I look at the AEs above me and they make great money ($200-300k+), but their role seems so volatile and I have worked with a few that have been fired since my tenure started.
I want a career that compounds. I’ve been researching the B2B Commercial Insurance route and it seems very interesting to me but I know I am young and naive and would love your advice.
The logic that’s pulling me in:
- Compounding book vs. resetting quota
- More autonomy - I am hoping I wouldn't have a manager asking if I made my 50 calls today, every day.
- Recession resistance: Software is a "nice to have" whereas B2B insurance is a legal requirement. Tech layoffs concern me.
My biggest concerns:
- Failure rate: I heard 70-90% burnout in the first 3 years... I have grit and know how to prospect but how much weight does that carry?
- Unknowns: I don't know anyone in this role... I just was recommended to it by various AIs after explaining what lifestyle I want - so I'd love to hear what a trustworthy human on reddit has to say lol
- After having an established book does work / life balance get great or is that over glorified?
My question:
Should I stick with the high prestige tech world and climb the AE ladder, or pivot to commercial insurance