THE POWER SHIFT: A layoff wasn’t the end - it was my chance to build
- Oct 7, 2025
- 3 min read
By Eva Kirie
The most important shift in my journey was realizing that I have the power to achieve my goals and to create opportunities for myself; both professionally and personally. I have the power to negotiate and land bigger clients. I have the power to create content and show up consistently on social media. I have the power to learn, grow, and succeed without a traditional boss. And most importantly, I have the power to create opportunities and have a career I love building everyday.
Early in my career, I thought I had to accept a crappy workplace and low pay because “that’s just how it is.” I believed I had to deal with difficult colleagues, bad leadership, a freezing-cold office with garbage coffee, and grind everyday with the CHANCE (not given) of a promotion. I remember so distinctly sitting at my desk thinking, “there is no way this can be the rest of my life.” I was truly miserable. When I wasn’t working, I dreamed of running my own business and building a personal brand but had zero belief in myself that I could do it. My age (I was 23 at the time), my financial status, my experience level, my crippling imposter syndrome; you name it, I had an excuse to not believe in myself.
And on one fateful day in July of 2023, I was laid-off. And on that same day, I made a promise to myself that I would never go back to work as a full-time employee ever again. I was going to build the business, and life, I dreamed of; I was going to bet on myself.
I took out only what needed to be taken out from my emergency fund, I came up with a game plan to develop my website, I started posting consistently on social media, and I got to pitching brands and landing clients. Now, this was MUCH easier said than done. There were times money was super tight and I got scrappy and savvy with my gigs and spending. I knew NOTHING about starting a business, so I spent my lunches and dinners watching YouTube videos and taking online courses to learn from entrepreneurs and content creators. I let my inner chatter create doubt and skepticism, so I would channel the persona of an entrepreneur or creator I admired, just to keep moving forward. Slowly but surely, I was embracing my power, creating opportunities for myself and building on the dreams I currently have.
Today, I am growing a six-figure business in New York City, I’m expanding my solopreneuring venture to create a team, and I reach millions views across my social media channels each month. I have brands pitching to me, I am planning events, I am sketching out plans for more businesses, and I will be speaking at events. I am growing as a business owner, and as a person, and I am excited to see where life goes.
And a message for you, the reader: you have so much more power, skills, and expertise than you think you do. Tap into them. Take action, build healthy and sustainable habits, commit to learning everyday, create opportunities for yourself, and I promise you, you can change the trajectory of your business, and your life.
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