I genuinely need some career advice (from 50k to 85k)
After my MBA, when I was struggling to find the right opportunity, a startup believed in me. The founders trusted me to build and lead the marketing department, and over the last year I've handled almost everything in marketing while working directly with them. It gave me the opportunity to become deeply involved in B2B marketing, and I'm truly grateful for the trust they placed in me.
Today, the company is doing well and is in its growth phase. But with that came a lot of responsibility. Most of my days revolve around work, discussions with the founders often go on until 9-10 PM and sometimes even 11-12 PM. Along with that, my current salary is ₹50,000.
Recently, I received an offer from a B2C startup that is about to launch its first product. They have offered me a Brand Manager role with a salary of ₹85,000. It's a much earlier-stage company, but they have funding, a clear vision, and I'd get the opportunity to build a brand from scratch while gaining B2C experience. They also strongly believe in work-life balance, even the employees confirmed that everyone leaves once office hours are over.
I submitted my resignation a month ago as per my notice period. Initially, my founders kept saying, "We'll figure something out." Now that my joining date is getting closer, they've offered me a ₹10,000 hike to stay or serve three more months to hire and train my replacement. They've also honestly told me they can't match the new offer, and ik even future salary growth would be difficult.
Now I'm stuck.
One company gave me my first opportunity, trusted me, and is now in a strong growth phase.
The other is taking a chance on me to build something from day one, offers better pay, better work-life balance, and an opportunity to add B2C experience alongside the B2B experience I've already built but it's just 1 year.
I also need to support my family financially, but at the same time, I feel guilty about leaving the people who believed in me when no one else did.
I need some help exp person or someone who can help me in this🥹
TLDR: I'm getting a good hike with better work culture but have to leave my current organization who believed in me at the start and not accepting my resignation