One of the most beautiful characteristics about America is the ability we have to fall, dust ourselves off and try again. Layoffs or firings may seem unsurmountable at first, but we’ve seen over and over again how getting laid off can often be the first step towards a significantly more fulfilling future. We’ve shared some incredible stories below.
Sean Ivester
My layoff from Dapper Labs wasn’t just a professional setback; it was a deeply personal challenge that struck at a critical time in my life. With a pregnant wife and a career that had always been a source of pride and identity, the news of being laid off hit me hard. It was a moment that could have spiraled into despair, but instead, it became the impetus for a profound and heartening personal transformation. Read more>>
Misha Battiste
I was laid-off from my last job at the top of 2023. During that time I was planning a cross-country move from Washington, DC to Los Angeles, CA. Actually, the same week I was planning to hire movers is the week I was laid-off. I felt a combination of relief, because it wasn’t a job I enjoyed; and utter devastation, because I was losing my financial stability, would no longer be able to move to LA. Read more>>
Jon Fischer
I became a board-certified Health & Wellness Coach for men in the LGBTQ+ community in 2013. Since then I’ve worked at two wellness schools while building my business on the side. For many years I saw clients and hosted body-positive classes in NYC after work and on weekends. In 2022, I was working as a Student Support Manager at a school while planning my first international retreat in Portugal called Camp Bear Hug. I planned it for over a year, I took time off from work, and I was ready for the experience. Read more>>
Corey Martire
I created my business Corey Lynne Agency! I returned from having lunch and was ready to cold call. It was Monday at 1:09 and the owner of the company called to tell me he had to let me go. Our two largest clients weren’t going to pay us until April. Read more>>
Cannon Jackson
The second week of January I was fired from my full time job. I had just bought a vendor table at my local pop-up shop the week prior to being let go! The pop-up shop is scheduled for February, I still need items, and I no longer have the main source of funding behind my brand. Not to mention this would be my first in-person appearance selling my new merch. Read more>>
Adrianna Gonzalez
Back in 2020. I was laid off from my 10 year job due to Covid-19. I was a single mother at the time and had to figure out how to continue providing for my kiddos. It was then that I realized that I could finally do what my heart desired which was becoming a Full-Time Wedding Photographer. I got my first wedding since 2019 and I haven’t stopped since! Read more>>
Zeppy64
I used to be a coder, both on the front-end and back-end of projects of a brand agency. My layoff was something devastating, cause it’s something I always liked to do and have the passion to do the best things, but one of the reasons was that the Agency found a cheaper alternative, it was free, it would get the job done even if it was not optimized or cause extra issues, so that added that I felt useless. Read more>>
