--- title: "I quit tech in 2023, became a tea farmer, now I'm coming back" url: https://daily.dev/posts/i-quit-tech-in-2023-became-a-tea-farmer-now-i-m-coming-back-fzqgfb3jl source_url: https://daily.dev/posts/i-quit-tech-in-2023-became-a-tea-farmer-now-i-m-coming-back-fzqgfb3jl type: freeform source: "Georgii Bukharov" author: "Georgii Bukharov" published: 2026-06-22T15:52:35.575Z updated: 2026-06-22T15:52:55.367Z reading_time: 2 upvotes: 0 comments: 0 language: en --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://daily.dev/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # I quit tech in 2023, became a tea farmer, now I'm coming back **[Georgii Bukharov](https://daily.dev/sources/x1jcgpzbi0lqq5mokcb4g)** · [@souljorje](https://daily.dev/souljorje) · 2 min read · 0 upvotes · 0 comments ## Summary A developer with 7 years of tech experience (2017-2023) shares their journey of leaving software engineering to run a tea startup in Georgia, then attempting to return to tech in 2025-2026. After taking on broad business responsibilities (branding, marketing, logistics, sales), they now identify as a 'Product Engineer' but are facing rejection and ghosting from employers. They're seeking advice on whether to reframe their CV, hide the non-tech gap, or keep applying honestly with their full story. ## Content And I feel kinda lost, 'cause it seems like I dunno who I'm anymore and HRs are afraid/cringe of my CV. I need an advice. **Long story short** I’m 30, in tech since 2017, living in Georgia 🇬🇪, tea is my big hobby. **2019:** I began volunteering on tea farms in spare time from coding **2023:** I quit tech job to take a break and find another job. Guy approached me with an offer to launch and lead manufacturing at a tea startup. I gave it a shot, considering it a fun way to unwind before I find another job. **2024:** Guys from a bigger venture offer me to setup tea factory and launch a product to market from scratch. FOMO was huge, I agreed. Brought my team and we started grinding. Soon I found myself doing a lot: branding, marketing, sales, logistics, content, events, tourism and many more. **2025:** I realized that I'm romanticising too much (countryside, mountains, fresh air, etc) and ignoring myself and reality. Poor life conditions, low income, overworked team, and partners resistant to proposed changes. So I decided to quit, call this chapter a “practical MBA”, and return to tech. I took a little rest, learned AI-assisted engineering and realized that writing code is like riding a bike — once you learn it, you don't forget it. **2026:** I started looking for a job. "Business/product-minded engineers are in demand". That's what I read on the internet, and thought that my skillset will be relevant, showing that I'm a universal dude who's not afraid ambiguity. But all I get is "we regret to inform..." or ghosting. **The question** I consider myself a Product Engineer: I can ship end-to-end back, front and design; I don't need a detailed PRDs or a manager above me; I lead teams, good in communication, and have all this real-world business experience behind. I heard many times stuff like: "remove this experience from CV and lie, this how job market works today". But I don't wanna bend over! **_What should I do? Change positioning? Keep applying? Lie?_** Here's my CV: ![Screenshot 2026-06-22 at 19.50.48.png](https://media.daily.dev/image/upload/s--KuiWG5Q8--/f_auto/v1782143465/ugc/content_f52b2986-cad6-431e-b14f-3590183a4eef?_a=BAMAMiWQ0) ## Similar posts on daily.dev - [2025 in retrospective](https://daily.dev/posts/2025-in-retrospective-ocxi0djt3) · A Java geek · 0 upvotes · 0 comments - [2025 Year in Review](https://daily.dev/posts/2025-year-in-review-kulmgntgd) · swizec.com · 4 upvotes · 0 comments - [What's next for manager.dev and for me](https://daily.dev/posts/what-s-next-for-manager-dev-and-for-me-wcifcassh) · Manager.dev · 25 upvotes · 7 comments --- [View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/i-quit-tech-in-2023-became-a-tea-farmer-now-i-m-coming-back-fzqgfb3jl)