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.
Shelby Gorstein
In July of 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, I was laid off from my full-time job. At the time, I was teaching yoga once a week, knowing I wanted to do it more. I viewed my layoff as divine redirection. I was not fulfilled at this job, although there was excellent financial potential and I was just hitting my stride when I got this news. Read more>>
Jessica Berger
In January 2020, I landed my dream job with a major cruise line and felt like I was on top of the world. However, just a few months later, I was laid off due to COVID. The hospitality industry was hit hard, and I found myself wondering what the future held for me. Adding to my challenges, my beloved cat was diagnosed with cancer the same month. It was difficult to see a way forward when everything seemed so dark and sad. Read more>>
Monica Speight
My entrepreneurial journey began in an unexpected way: I was terminated from a job that I loved and where I thrived. Just six months after being hired, I was promoted to Director and tasked with building a new department. I never received a negative performance review, so the termination was a shock, especially considering the positive feedback from my former boss and colleagues about my contributions and value to the team. Read more>>
Michelle Tieu
All I have ever done at a corporate job is design. Being creative is my life and I love it. However, being a motion graphics designer meant most of my time is spent in the digital space. After a few years of this, I started to miss drawing—specially typography. I started off as a lettering artist and then taught myself calligraphy. Read more>>
