Leave Finance for Enterprise AE

I've been fortunate to be in middle market finance for the last ten years but find it woefully boring and just can't stand it much longer. I've gone through final interviews and am expecting an offer from a tech start up, enterprise AE role with a slightly lower base salary, slightly higher OTE but access to equity and much higher potential commission pay if successful. 
Has anyone been in this position before? I feel like this could be the perfect opportunity to get into a new industry while not starting at entry level.
Am I crazy?
💵 Finance
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
📳 SaaS
6
cornerback16
Valued Contributor
2
Strategic Accounts
I moved from Finance, well more of an investment management role. Was on track to finish CFA before it was cancelled twice in covid.

Moved to start up sales. Honestly was a great decision for me. I found finance painstakingly boring.

I treated it as an MBA.
DollarBill
Executive
2
Director of Sales - Financial Services
I made this same move. Investment banking at a bulge bracket bank to a seed SaaS startup in enterprise sales. I made more money last year than I would have if I stayed in IB. This year might be less. I have a lot of equity, more than what new executives are getting. If you can stomach the volatility it’s very worth it.
BankingBazers
1
Vice President - Senior Relationship Manager
I wasn’t making I-bank money but total comp in middle market commercial banking was $210k. New gig OTE with no cap in this role is $250k. I received some healthy equity as well with IPO goals in the horizon.
cornerback16
Valued Contributor
0
Strategic Accounts
@Dollarbill nice one both!

What you thinking career-wise? Personally looking at AE for next 3-5 years and then transition to something more strategic but on the sales side.

I do still enjoy the pricing models from time to time etc.
DollarBill
Executive
0
Director of Sales - Financial Services
I’m now in a player/coach role which is a lose-lose in many ways but I’m doing it for the experience and building my resume to hopefully lead a bigger team. AE is nice cause you only have one objective but I find that boring unless you move to new companies every couple years.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
You might be crazy, but that doesn't mean you're wrong.

If you're at a stage in your life where you can tolerate the risk, and really want to make this move, then go for it.
BankingBazers
1
Vice President - Senior Relationship Manager
It’s a little crazy given two young kids but I think there will never be another opportunity quite like this, especially to change careers without taking a major haircut. Banks would always take me back (or so I tell myself) and have some monies tucked away in case shit really starts to hit the fan.
SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
How does the base compare against the average ENT AE salary? If it's lower I'd think twice. I'd always be wary of lower base. 
BankingBazers
1
Vice President - Senior Relationship Manager
It’s a lower base but not terribly so, it’s a higher base than when I switched banks a year ago. Going down from $155k to $125k, but my total comp was ~$205k and OTE is $250k with no cap.
SaaSam
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Really depends on your long term plans then. Usually I'd be wary but it would offer the opportunity to "skip the line" right up to ENT AE. After a year at this org, if you're successful, you may be able to find somewhere that'll pay you nearly double the salary.
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Depends on the startup. What can you tell us about them? How thoroughly have you vetted them?
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Do your homework. Don't make a jump just because you are bored.
LordBusiness
Politicker
1
Chief Revenue Officer
I’ve transplanted quite a few folks from other segments of business into sales over the years. Finance isn’t one of them, but I’m sure you will do great. Remember, focus on the process - not the outcomes.
BankingBazers
0
Vice President - Senior Relationship Manager
Thanks. They were very skittish about hiring someone with my background but ultimately loved the consulting and workflow white boarding approach I take on finance calls.
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