Goldman Sachs Analyst Leaves Finance for Baking Career
A former New York wealth manager resigned to focus full-time on her growing dessert business in 2024.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Baking
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In 2024, Allison Sheehan departed her position at Goldman Sachs to pursue baking full-time after repeated conflicts regarding her social media presence. She previously balanced the finance role with her growing culinary venture in New York.
Why it matters
The transition highlights the tension between strict corporate compliance policies and the rise of personal branding for professionals. It also illustrates a career shift from wealth management to entrepreneurship, driven by a preference for creative work.
Sheehan previously sold individual cakes for approximately $100 each. She currently maintains professional relationships with 14 different ingredient suppliers.
The players
Allison Sheehan
She is a former Goldman Sachs wealth management employee and a current student at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
Goldman Sachs
This is a global investment banking firm that provides services in wealth management, securities, and investment research.
Kellogg School of Management
This is the business school of Northwestern University, known for its programs in management and entrepreneurship.
The details
Sheehan, who moved to the Goldman Sachs New York office in 2022, navigated compliance requests to remove social media posts about her baking until she eventually resigned. She currently produces her goods using a neighbor's kitchen, providing dog-walking services in exchange for the space.
Timeline
Sheehan moved to the New York office of Goldman Sachs in September 2022.
Sheehan juggled her finance career with her baking business throughout 2024.
Culture Shift
This move mirrors the broader cultural trend of professionals abandoning high-stress corporate roles to pursue passion-led entrepreneurship. It reflects a shift in career priorities where personal brand autonomy increasingly competes with traditional firm-wide compliance standards.
For New York residents, this highlights the practical challenges of launching a food business within the city's unique regulatory and residential space constraints. Aspiring entrepreneurs may note the necessity of balancing social media branding with professional career obligations.
The takeaway
Individuals looking to bridge the gap between a corporate career and entrepreneurship should prioritize clear boundaries regarding side businesses early on. Developing professional relationships with suppliers can provide a scalable foundation for transitioning to a full-time brand.
Further reading
Learn more about the local culinary industry in the Baking section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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