I left a job I loved for another that paid more, only to be fired 6 months later. I regret choosing money over work culture.

• Eric Carrell took a job for double his salary but was fired after six months.
• He regrets accepting a job for its pay rather than company culture.
• He now runs a successful link-building agency prioritizing company culture and ethics.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Carrell, a 35-year-old link-building business owner from Missouri. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I was working as a link-builder for a company I loved when I was offered a job for double my salary at the time. Blinded by the number, I said yes.