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.
Helen Pace
In March of 2020, I was recovering from an emergent hysterectomy and almost ready to return to work as a tasting room associate at a local vineyard. I’d been out of work for 6 weeks when suddenly the kids were sent home from school on Friday the 13th. We thought surely whatever this was would blow over in a week or two, but we had no idea that we were at the precipice of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Although we’d prepared the budget for the 6 week loss of income, we could never have anticipated what came next: the tasting room where I worked closed, the restaurant where my husband is a manager closed to dine-in service, the broken unemployment system in North Carolina failed, and overnight we had two kids doing school from home. I waited months for my first unemployment payment to arrive and quickly learned that the $200 a week I qualified for was just a drop in the bucket compared to what we needed to catch up. I decided that I could never be in a position to rely on someone else to provide me with a paycheck again, I had to do it for myself. Read more>>
Haily Sutton
The restaurant layoffs at the beginning of the pandemic were a significant turning point for my husband and I. As bartenders, we found ourselves suddenly out of work, facing an uncertain future. Instead of letting the situation bring us down, we decided to seize the opportunity to pursue our small business dreams. Read more>>
Kallista Marie
When I was fired from a job that had employed me for over 20 years, it became the catalyst to a new chapter. It presented all the things that a new chapter might bring. It was unknown, it created an intense curiosity surrounding what characters from my previous chapter might be a part of the new one and it brought on a bit of anxiousness. I soon discovered there was a lot more to learn about myself, my personal history and how it would ultimately lead me to very fulfilling heart work. I nervously talked about it with close family and friends and leaned in. Read more>>
Lindsay Lefler
When I faced a layoff, I had to reconnect with why I got into this business in the first place. Ultimately, I’ve always wanted to help people get on stage and follow their dreams. Theater is incredible because it allows you to make people feel deeply while also calling out societal issues. This realization fueled my determination to continue and find new opportunities to support and uplift artists. My incredible husband Kevin and daughter June have been a constant source of support and inspiration throughout this journey. Read more>>
Debra Hallisey
I was a consultant for many years when I became my mother’s caregiver. The worst thing and the best thing that ever happened to me, was losing my job due to caregiving.
It was hard at the age of 57 to start looking for a new job, but during that process I decided to pivot and founded www.advocateformomanddad.com. This website and all of my work, has one mission, to help adult children of aging parents navigate their caregiving journey. Read more>>
