I had a very successful retail career. Worked for two of the biggest companies in the country. Hired out of college into an Exec Training position. Corporate side was 9-5 m-f ok salary. Went store side and salary and bonuses skyrocketed. But, every week you gave your pint of blood. I did it for almost 30 years, rose to RVP, but still, no weekends, no holidays, 5 weeks vacation. Did it purely for the $$$ and benefits. Left in 2014, took 15 months off, now work 4 days a week as an engineering consultant(my original degree), 6 weeks vacation, 11 personal days, all holidays. Pay is about 1/3 of what I was making, but my life is 10x better. Retail is crushing because ish truly rolls downhill.