One Woman Traded a Six-Figure Salary for a Life Filled with Pastry, Passion, and Purpose
Valerie Valcourt spent years working for some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including Google and Amazon. But despite her impressive career and six-figure salary, something was missing. In 2022, she made the bold decision to leave it all behind, move to France, and enroll in pastry school. Now, she’s living her dream as a pastry assistant in Tournon-sur-Rhone. She proves that sometimes the sweetest rewards come from chasing your passion.
A Dream Deferred, Then Rediscovered
Valcourt’s love for baking began in high school but took a backseat as she pursued a corporate career. By 2020, the stress of tech life had drained her, leading her to reconsider her true calling. Initially hesitant due to financial constraints and mental exhaustion, she put her pastry school dreams on hold. But by 2022, determined and financially prepared, she took the leap and moved to France.
The Sweet but Humble Reality
Leaving behind a $100,000 salary, Valcourt started fresh, earning just $22,000 as a pastry intern. “I had no energy to hustle,” she says. “There was nothing left in me to try and raise more funds. I was just depleted,” she said. Now, with a full-time job at Maison Chabran, she makes around $30,000 a year. Despite the pay cut, she finds the trade-off worthwhile. Her mental health has improved. She enjoys a simpler, more fulfilling life.
Adjusting to French Life
Living in the French countryside has its perks—affordable rent, delicious food, and a healthier work-life balance. Valcourt spends her days baking, experimenting with flavors, and learning intricate pastry techniques. Her favorite creations? Entremets—layered mousse-based cakes that allow for endless creativity.
Financial & Lifestyle Changes
Valcourt emptied her savings to make the move. She is now rebuilding her finances. Valcourt enjoys the stability of France’s social benefits, including public healthcare and paid vacation. She now rents a one-bedroom apartment for $672 a month. She keeps expenses low. She savors the joys of French living.
A Future Full of Possibilities
For now, Valcourt is content in her small town, but she dreams of exploring more of France and Europe. She also envisions bringing her pastry skill back to the U.S. one day. “My family and friends are there, and I miss them more than I can say,” she says. “And it feels important to one day go back to my roots and bring what I’ve learned from France to the U.S,” she said. No matter where she ends up, she is sure of one thing. Pursuing her passion has been the most rewarding decision of her life.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/0OfhCvzErtY?si=ULy0J0zaP-6h3XG-
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/10/american-quit-6-figure-tech-job-to-make-pastries-in-france.html
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
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