I quit my tech job to grind tree stumps. I’m outdoors, working with my hands, on my own schedule, and making a good living.

• Tyler Mumford left tech sales in 2024 to take his stump grinding business in Utah full-time.
• His sales skills and tech-savvy approach helped him quickly generate revenue and clients.
• Mumford’s business earned over $200,000 in revenue in its first year, and he plans to expand.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tyler Mumford, a 29-year-old business owner in Provo, Utah. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I worked in tech sales for about four years, mainly selling software and AI solutions to restaurant companies. I did well and consistently hit my quotas, but I didn’t have control over my future.

Even after a strong quarter, management would suddenly announce changes, and I never had a say in the matter. That’s just how big companies work. Eventually, I knew I had to go out on my own if I wanted to shape my own future.

Now I grind stumps for tree removal companies, and I make a six-figure income doing it.

I worked on a tree crew in high school

I had experience on a tree crew, and then I heard of the idea of doing stump grinding for tree service companies on a podcast. It clicked. I’m good at sales. I can reach out to tree companies. That was the jump-off point.

I started in July 2024 and continued through August, while still working my full-time tech job. I’d do stumps in the morning, go to work, and then stumps right after, and on the weekends as well, for about a month.

In that first month, I generated enough revenue that I thought, I can pay my bills with this. I made the jump and took GrindTime Stump Grinding full-time.

Here’s how stump grinding works

When a tree is removed from a yard, either the tree company or someone like me comes in to grind the stump into wood chips. Once it’s leveled out, the homeowner can plant grass over it or grow a new tree or bush. I complete four to six jobs a day, which amounts to around eight to 10 stumps in total.

My business is primarily a solo operation, although I occasionally hire help for tasks such as shoveling. I wanted to learn every part of the business myself before hiring a team. That way, when I eventually bring on employees, I’ll know how to train them properly.

I plan to hire workers next summer, but I enjoy doing the work myself.

My background in sales has been my secret weapon

Many guys in the trades are more hands-on and less focused on selling. I wasn’t afraid to walk into tree service offices, introduce myself, and offer my services, which helped me generate revenue quickly.

I also leaned into technology to run the business more efficiently. Many contractors still operate on a cash basis or use outdated methods, but I’m tech-enabled.

I use Jobber for scheduling and invoicing, and rely on Google Sheets and Google Calendar. It’s helped me stay organized and maximize my time in the field.

I usually work all day, come home, do an hour of admin, then shut my laptop and start again the next day.

This job is sweatier, dirtier, and a lot more physical than tech

But this job gives me something I never had in tech: control. I’m way more connected to my community. In my old job, I sold to restaurants across the country. Now, I’m working in my city and nearby towns.

People recognize my truck. They’ll say, “Hey, you did a stump for my sister.” It’s cool to be a visible part of the community.

I work 10 to 12 hours a day. Business slows down in the winter, but spring, summer, and fall are go-time.

Stump grinding is a niche trade, and I may be one of the first people to post about it on social media. That’s helped build awareness and generate business, too.

In its first year, the business brought in just over $200,000 in revenue

My take-home is about 70% to 80% of that. Equipment payments and gas make up the majority of my expenses. I also have other expenses, such as marketing and basic maintenance.

At my previous job, I earned six figures, with about half of that amount coming from my base salary and the rest from commissions.

I plan to expand the business by offering additional tangential services, but for now, I’m happy. I’m outdoors, working with my hands, on my own schedule, and making a good living doing it. I don’t miss anything about tech.

My life is significantly better than it was in the tech industry. I work a bit more, but I genuinely enjoy those hours.