I Took a 6-Figure Job at Amazon in Between Bouts of Entrepreneurship

I Took a 6-Figure Job at Amazon in Between Bouts of Entrepreneurship – Business Insider

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As told to Claire Turrell by Seun Phillips, founder of Stemnetics

Stemnetics | Sep 7, 2026, 11:05 AM GMT+2

This as-told-to essay is based on an interview with Seun Phillips, the 42-year-old founder of Stemnetics, who is based in Los Angeles. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Early Life & Education

I was always interested in technology. My family got our first computer when I was in the third grade, and my four brothers and I would always game together. I was good at math and science, and my father said I should think about becoming an engineer.

In 2006, I graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in electrical engineering. We had a career fair on campus. I remember my next class was about to start, but I saw Motorola. I decided to drop just one more résumé. They called me, and I got through the interview process. I became an electrical engineer focused on accessory compatibility for Motorola in Illinois.

Entrepreneurial Journey & Amazon

I went on to become an entrepreneur, with a stint at Amazon in between, where I learned lessons I still use in my business today.

I launched a nonprofit organization with one of my Motorola colleagues.

Project Syncere in Chicago in March 2009. Its mission is to create pathways for underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM. This was my first experience running a business, apart from selling CDs in high school. I’m still on the board.

I met my wife and moved to Detroit to be with her. We weren’t looking to expand Project Syncere to another state, so in January 2014, I launched Stemnetics in Michigan, which runs hands-on STEM programs for kids.

Balancing Entrepreneurship & Family Life

Once I became a dad, I stepped away from full-time entrepreneurship.

I got a job as the vice president of education and engagement at the Michigan Science Center. I took the job because I had my first child and needed more financial stability.

I hired a full-time teacher and a part-time teacher through Indeed and Craigslist, so they kept the program running while I used my science center earnings to bootstrap the company. I wanted to keep Stemnetics running because I saw the potential.

Recent Move & New Opportunities

In 2022, my wife’s job took us to California. I started searching for new roles, and a former colleague told me he was hiring at Amazon Robotics. The role involved ideating on automation projects for fulfillment centers.

It felt like coming full circle. I had always been fascinated by robotics and artificial intelligence while working at Motorola. I saw an opportunity to merge my prior experience with my current passion for STEM education.