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.
Nnemoma Chukwumerije
In February 2024, I was laid off from a well-paying tech job—a moment that, surprisingly, became one of the most transformative experiences of my life. On paper, I was “living the life”. I was finally earning six figures, and working remotely. But inside, I was drowning. The demands of the role, coupled with the racism I faced daily, had left my nervous system completely frayed. Anxiety was my constant companion, and the fulfillment I thought would come with my salary and status never materialized. Read more>>
Kelsie Whitehead
I was managing a franchise waxing studio that closed suddenly. They gave us a weeks worth of notice that we would be shuttering our doors the following Saturday. My husband and myself tried to see if we could take over the building the studio was currently in, but given the rush circumstances we were unable to. So plan b had to happen. We found a salon suite and rented 2 rooms so our waxers would have somewhere to land. Within a week I handled both closing the franchise and getting everything set up for the new salon. We shut our doors at the franchise on 9/21 and opened at our new place 9/23. My team was comprised of young women, who had no intentions of being business owners so suddenly so I was greatful that they had a place to take clients and still maintain income. We are only a month in to our new business and are thriving. Read more>>
Janet Kristy
In 2009, during the housing crisis, I was laid off from my role as a new home sales consultant. I was at a crossroads and unsure of my next move. Before my six years in real estate, I had worked as a bartender and blackjack dealer in Las Vegas, but with no plans to return there, I needed a new direction. At the time, I was single with a mortgage, so I had to quickly find a way to make ends meet. To cover the bills, I took on two temporary jobs: one at the Franchise Tax Board and another at a department store. Read more>>
Ian Mcnamara
I moved across the country for a job at a tech company about a month after graduating from college a couple years ago. I got laid off three months later. It was a shock. I had barely settled in. At first, I tried to quickly find a new job, but nothing clicked. I decided a couple weeks later that I’d drive back home. While I was working, what eventually became MARO, was just a small thought in the back of my head. I had always wanted to start a business, but it was more of a vague idea than anything else. How to start was a challenge. Read more>>
