I left my VP role at 25 to build a startup. Leaving security and a steady paycheck behind was hard, but I have no regrets.

• Timothy Gamble left his VP role at Walker & Dunlop to cofound HelloData.ai in 2022.
• Gamble's decision was driven by a desire for continual growth and the opportunity to innovate in AI.
• Despite earning less, Gamble is happy with his decision to leave his 9-5.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Timothy Gamble, a 26-year-old cofounder at HelloData.ai based in Washington, DC. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a cofounder and the head of data engineering at HelloData.ai, which uses real-time data on more than 25 million multifamily units nationwide to suggest the most relevant comparable properties and analyze real-estate assets.