Recently had a fascinating conversation with a small business owner, who I met via LinkedIn. I had put out some feelers to see if laid-off folks would be willing to share their stories with me.
Will Martin wrote me back with his story. It is a story of finding your dream and of turning a bad situation into a good one.
Will was an architect for a company that was getting ready to grow. The owners were grooming him to take a management position, and perhaps even one day, take over.
So despite the intensity of their current school construction project, Will put himself through an MBA program at night.
Shortly after finishing the degree, the school project ended with a financial hit to the firm. His job prospects soon evaporated and Will was left jobless and over qualified for many openings. Though he was employed at various firms over the next few years, his ideas for growth and innovation were squandered.
One company refused to listen to his ideas about building a website. Another turned down Millions of dollars worth of contracts that he had uncovered.
What struck me most about his story was the fact that getting laid off had been a real blessing for him. It took him a month to get a website, where at a company, it had taken 5 years. He is going after business that he enjoys, at a company, most of his contracts were overlooked.
And the most amazing thing he shared with me was that even though he struggles to find business every month, and they have to cut costs like crazy, he is happier than ever.
If you were laid off, what has that experience taught you about yourself?
What hidden talent or aspirations were suddenly revealed when you went to bed knowing you didn’t have a job anymore?
If you live in Washington State and have some construction or renovation work, look up Will Martin. He’ll greet you with a smile.
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I worked for a company for 9 years and was constantly overlooked for promotions. Once I graduated with a MBA I left and went to another company. I was laid off 8 months later. I have been thinking this may be a blessing in disguise and thinking about self employment. I just hope it works out for me like it did for Will. Thanks for the inspirational story!
Jessica, Thanks for sharing your story. Hang in there! You are smart and have a great background and education. There is a place for you in the workplace. I wish you the best of luck.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.” Will got out of an insane (or at least negative) environment and invited happiness back into his life. Truly inspiring!
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.” Will got out of an insane (or at least negative) environment and invited happiness back into his life. Truly inspiring!
The thing that stands out to me? How he uncovers millions in potential business for a company and they just can’t be asked. And he did the right thing! Rather than try to convince a bonehead, just move on…
This is very true. I talk to a lot of small business owners who are very happy with what they do. One of the first questions I ask is “how did you get into doing what you’re doing?” .
About 70% of the time, the answer starts with “I was made redundant. I’d always harboured a dream to do xyz, but that was what gave me the push.”
This is very true. I talk to a lot of small business owners who are very happy with what they do. One of the first questions I ask is “how did you get into doing what you’re doing?” .
About 70% of the time, the answer starts with “I was made redundant. I’d always harboured a dream to do xyz, but that was what gave me the push.”
When one door closes another opens, (everyone knows this) but often people forget there’s usually a long hallway in between and we see that in this example.
One important lesson I gained from this post is that despite Tim’s struggles “he is happier than ever”. Thanks for inspiring us.
When one door closes another opens, (everyone knows this) but often people forget there’s usually a long hallway in between and we see that in this example.
One important lesson I gained from this post is that despite Tim’s struggles “he is happier than ever”. Thanks for inspiring us.
That’s a great story! Thanks for sharing. Every problem contains within it the seed of an equal or greater opportunity or benefit. I think Napoleon Hill said that many years ago. Wise words.
That’s a great story! Thanks for sharing. Every problem contains within it the seed of an equal or greater opportunity or benefit. I think Napoleon Hill said that many years ago. Wise words.