UPDATE: In a bold move following her layoff, Steph Kumar has relocated her family from the Bay Area to Barcelona, transforming her life and career. After spending over a decade at major tech firms like Twitter and Google, Kumar is redefining success on her own terms, and reports feeling significantly happier.
Following her layoff from Twitter in late 2022, Kumar experienced what she described as a loss of identity, realizing that her career had been her social currency in Silicon Valley. “Once I didn’t have that identity marker of working at Twitter or Google, the tone shifted,” she recalls. This prompted her and her family to reevaluate their lives and ultimately led to their decision to move abroad.
In early 2023, Kumar founded her own company, Two Cents, a research agency, before making the leap to Barcelona in 2024. This decision has not only allowed her to reclaim her happiness, but also to create a more fulfilling life for her family. “Happiness has become what we consider to be success,” she states.
Kumar’s journey began after earning her master’s degree in public policy in 2009. Initially seeking roles in the public sector, she found herself at Yahoo, where she analyzed advertising campaigns. Over the years, she transitioned to various roles at other tech giants, including Pinterest and Google, before joining Twitter as a senior director of user research.
After her layoff, Kumar recognized how transactional her relationships had been in the Bay Area, leading her to reflect deeply on her identity and purpose. “I was mourning for an identity that was no longer relevant,” she shared. This prompted her to register her business even before fully defining its direction.
In the summer of 2023, Kumar and her family traveled across Europe, exploring potential new homes. They quickly fell in love with Barcelona, drawn by its vibrant culture, excellent schools, and a burgeoning tech startup scene. “We saw schools we liked for our daughter here,” she noted.
To facilitate the move, they utilized a relocation service that aided in navigating the complexities of moving abroad, including securing an investor visa and finding suitable housing. This visa, valid for around five years, allowed them to establish a new life in Spain seamlessly.
Adjusting to life in Barcelona has required a significant mindset shift for Kumar. “I was taught success meant climbing the ladder and making as much money as possible,” she explained. Now, she finds joy in community and connection, devoid of the pressure of work identity.
Despite earning over $300,000 at Twitter, Kumar emphasizes that she is willing to forgo financial wealth for personal happiness. “I’m waking up every day, not afraid of my inbox or calendar,” she reflects. The sound of church bells and friendly interactions with neighbors have redefined her understanding of success.
Kumar’s inspiring story of resilience and reinvention highlights the human impact of job loss and the pursuit of happiness across borders. As she continues to grow her research agency and embrace life in Barcelona, her journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of change.
Do you have a relocation story to share? Contact this reporter, Agnes Applegate, at [email protected].
