How a Layoff Helped Me Start My Business

Layoffs have been brutal the past year. But I really do believe that when one door closes another opens.

There are so many different possibilities available to us. A layoff can prove to be a powerful pivot moment. To help you realign to a job that is an even better fit than the one before.

In 2019, I was laid off from a job, that looking back wasn't the ideal fit. I didn't have the right intentions when job searching. I was worried about having a gap on my resume and growing increasingly frustrated with the search, I prioritized just having a "job" over finding something aligned with my journey.

The "why" for a job search is the most important place to start. It determines your mindset, how you apply to jobs, how you interview, and how you present yourself. If you don't feel confident, people can feel it. If you're not excited, people can sense it. 

Interviewers will say things like "it's a culture fit issue" or "we went with someone with more experience", but really they're signaling a deeper misalignment in values that sometimes can only be felt in subtle ways.

When I got laid off, I took some time to refocus. By that point, I had started Woo Woo Company. I decided to dive into researching all things spiritual and holistic health while applying to jobs.

I felt so energized looking into Reiki, astrology, and Human Design. I spent one whole day just mapping out my astrology. I felt so lucky that I got to spend my time exploring these new topics.

A few months later, I was talking to a founder of a marketing agency. I applied for a marketing role but he came back to me and asked if I wanted to be Chief of Staff. It seemed very interesting and I said I would think about it.

I'll always remember what he asked me during one of the interviews, “What can I do so that you won't be bored in six months?”

He had hired a few entrepreneurs in the past and knew the entrepreneur profile well. Once you start one business, you'll always want to start another. It's just a matter of time.

I could not give him an answer.

During this time, I also broke up with my boyfriend. My business partner also decided to leave the business (we're still friends!). I decided to restart events for Woo Woo Company after taking a break. Lots of changes!

The summer of 2019 in Washington, D.C. was when I validated my hypothesis. People were hungry for spiritual events with a practical approach. There was a curiosity about the unknown and how to connect with intuition.

And here I am, almost six years later and now in LA. I have shifted into astrology, helping people navigate career changes and share insights about their businesses. I am embarking on creating a tech product based on what I've built with my free career astrology website SATURN. There are challenges but I feel very aligned with my current business. (I no longer feel like quitting out of fear! Which was for many years.)

So if you're in month 11 or year two of looking for something new, know that the right thing is looking for you too.

Go to the places where you are wanted.

Follow the breadcrumbs of your intuition.

Take a leap of faith.

Let your layoff be the portal that takes you to a new version of yourself.

I hope this story helps you on your journey. Forward it to a friend who just got laid off!

Find me on Instagram and TikTok for lives about layoffs and finding the right job for you.

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Alice Hu is a Career Astrologer and founder of Woo Woo Company. She shares how you can use astrology as a tool for identity work, career development, and business. Alice also facilitates wellness programming for organizations as a fractional Chief Mindfulness Officer, showcasing how mindfulness is a powerful resource for businesses.

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Alice HuJune 12, 2024