Spotlight
Breaking Free: How I Made Corporate Layoff into a Full Time Entrepreneurship Success
Learn more about the story of Midlaine Pean, a successful entrepreneur who broke free from corporate life to focus on her mission to revolutionize mental health care.
The Unexpected End of a “Dream Job”
For five years, I worked for a huge healthcare organization and worked hard to advance in the company.
I was promoted after just nine months to a leadership position, overseeing the work of the nurses, providers, and case managers.
My team was always among the best in the company, with the numbers either average or better than average.
There were times when I was not only the manager but the provider as well, especially during staffing shortages.
I tried my best to make it my retirement job. I didn’t realize that retirement came sooner than I expected and not on my own will.
Photo by Midlaine Richard-Pean
The Day Everything Changed
It was four days before my daughter’s birthday when it happened. First, it was an email from the HR department asking me to meet at 10:30 AM.
I was uncomfortable. A month ago, 30 employees were laid off, and I felt like I was going to be one of them. Still, I stayed in denial.
I joined the Google Meet and was in a situation that I had not expected. Only the HR representative was allowed to speak, and everyone else was muted and their cameras were off.
No explanations, no personal acknowledgment—just a cold, four-minute announcement that left me completely cut off, and computer access revoked.
It was as if my years of dedication had been erased in an instant.
The Aftermath: Anxiety, Depression, and Reflection
Over the next few months, I was miserable. I stayed by the phone, waiting for someone to call and tell me it was all a big mistake. That call never came.
Three months later, the severance pay was gone, and reality hit me like a ton of bricks. Depression and anxiety started to set in as I struggled with the uncertainty.
I had promised myself that I would never go back to Corporate America. What was next? I had side hustles, but now one of them had to become my full-time hustle. The fear of failure was paralyzing, but I knew I had to push forward.
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
When Corporate America shut the door on me, I built my own. I put all my effort into my businesses – I started my Etsy store HappyGutsolutions, my mental health blog MentalHeed, and focused on my assisted living facility, Maud’s Place (ALF).
It was not easy. I had to battle doubt and silence the voice in my head that would constantly ask me, “What if this doesn’t work?
It was slow at first, but I finally began to see progress. My blog started gaining more traffic, and Maud’s Place (ALF) became a home for those in need of care and love.
I was no longer dependent on someone’s payroll – I was the boss of my own life.
Photo by Midlaine Richard-Pean
Photo by Midlaine Richard-PeanOwning My Power: Some Lessons Learned
1-Bet On Yourself:
If I didn’t believe I could change direction, then I would still be waiting for a phone call that would never come.
2-Resilience is Key:
I found out that some things can either destroy you or make you. I chose the latter.
3-Diversify Your Income Streams:
It was my side hustles that came in handy. Do not put all your eggs in one basket.
4-Reboot if Needed:
Reinvention is not failure; it is growth.
Why I’ll Never Go Back?
That pink slip may have felt like a death sentence, but it was the rebirth I needed. Today, I am a full-time entrepreneur, and I am confident and proud of myself. No more muting calls. No more waiting for vacation approval.
I am the driver of my ship, and I own the steering. My story is not over, this is just the beginning.
