After 5 years in tech, I wanted something new. An internship on a tea farm in Japan was the wake-up call I needed.

• Cherie Luo worked at a matcha farm as part of a requirement during her time at Stanford Graduate Business School.
• Luo, 29, said her time on the matcha farm changed her perspective on running a business.
• A year later, Luo has started a matcha business with her sister.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cherie Luo, a content creator and entrepreneur. Luo spent 5 years working in tech in Silicon Valley. She graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Business in June. Business Insider has verified her employment and education history. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

In June, I graduated from business school with a .