Thank you to Ashly Scalise, Founder of Ashly Media, for detailing how being laid off from Amazon in December 2022 was the sign needed to pursue a dream of starting her own business. Ashly wasn't alone. In 2022, more than 140,000 jobs were slashed from public and private tech companies in the U.S. as companies were forced to confront rising inflation and a tumultuous stock market. Below Ashly shares how her life changed and her quest to inspire other women to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Click here to watch our full interview with Ashly.
What happened on December 16, 2022, I will never forget. On that day, I knew my time as an Amazon employee was coming to an end.
It was the only full-time job I had known. A warm, comfortable blanket I had been wrapped in for almost six years. And now, with a new year on the horizon, I had no idea what my future held.
Amazon has been a part of my life since my senior year of college. One week before graduation, I received an e-mail from Amazon stating that my employment would start in two weeks. The company flew me to Rialto, CA, where I began my journey as L4 Area Manager.
I had never been to the west coast and hopped on a plane with minimal items. Eventually, my job led me to Miami, where I made a home and a life for myself.
Flash forward to that fateful December day my colleagues and I heard the rumblings about potential layoffs at Amazon. We knew that the business boom from the COVID-19 pandemic was only temporary, and eventually, our bubbles would burst.
On December 16, we were given a choice – take a severance package now or hope for the best.
It was very cutthroat and left everybody questioning what to do with their career and how to move forward. But, ultimately, I did decide to take the package.
Leaving was a tough decision, but I knew my next move would challenge and push me out of my comfort zone.
This was the time for reinvention.
On my first day of unemployment – I was flooded with feelings of relief because, for the first time in almost six years, I could think about myself. What I wanted to do, and how I wanted to build my dream life. Taking control of my future and having myself be that decision factor was a great feeling.
But the honeymoon period was over when my first paycheck did not come in. That's when the panic really started to take over my body. The thoughts intruded my mind:
'What am I doing?'
'I need to get back into a 9 to 5.'
'This is crazy. I need stability again.'
So I applied for jobs. I did everything you were supposed to do. I engaged my LinkedIn community. I had people make introductions on my behalf. Acquaintances, connections, and friends reviewed my resume.
I applied to over 400 jobs and only had three interview responses.
It's an isolating factor of not seeing that growth in your career right away.
Looking back – maybe this was the universe telling me to try entrepreneurship again. I had started some Etsy businesses, but they didn't go anywhere.
This was a sign. I should follow my passion and help fellow women entrepreneurs build their businesses through social media.
In three months, I researched, listened, and learned.
I attended networking events two to three times a week. I sent cold e-mails. I slid into people's DMs. I went to businesses in Miami and said, 'you need a better presence on Instagram, and I can move you forward.'
And from there, I landed my first client and documented their successes. Once other businesses saw my progress, it was like a conga line grabbing more and more entrepreneurs to join the party.
I have no desire to keep applying for corporate jobs. I'm done working for someone else. In fact, I want to start teaching other women to do what I did, so they don't have to rely on a 9 to 5 either.
I want other women who might have experienced a layoff, be in between jobs or are struggling with their purpose – to know you are not alone. Lean on your communities for support; whether that's Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok doesn't matter.
This is an excellent opportunity to slow down, prioritize, and think, what do I want to do next? Because everything is leading you up to your next adventure.
Ashly Scalise is the Founder of Ashly Media, a woman-owned and operated marketing agency specializing in an omnichannel strategy. Ashly Media's goal is to drive value, build community and produce conversions for businesses using social media. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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