18 Years Ago, I Was Laid Off And It Changed My Whole Life

18 years ago, I was laid off with no notice. At lunch time, I was called into HR and told that I was going to be let go, effective immediately. No warning. No performance plan. And no severance. But the worst part was? I had to leave HR, walk back through the office with everyone sitting at their cubicle desks, and start clearing out my own desk. Do you know how embarrassing it is to get terminated? And then have everyone watch while you pack up your things? Safe to say, it is just like the movies. Everyone stares, they try to make eye contact to ask you questions you cannot answer, you pack up your stuff, and then you are escorted out. Totally embarrassing and humiliating.

My flabbers were gasted because I had glowing performance reviews and had just gotten a .50 raise weeks prior! I had zero reason to worry that my job and livelihood was on the line. We had also just bought a house and were living paycheck to paycheck. So along with humiliation and embarrassment came absolute panic. How were we going to afford our mortgage? Groceries? Our bills? We depended on my paycheck, and suddenly it was gone.

Six months later, after much panic and soul searching, I launched my first business. I never ever wanted to put myself in the same position again. Fool me once, and all that...

18 years later, 8 businesses later, I've learned how absolutely humbling it is to own a business, keep cash flowing, and make payroll. I understand now, how a business can get into a financial position where there simply aren’t any good options left. I understand why I was let go with no notice and no severance in a way that 20 something old me never could.

But I also remember exactly how it felt to be the employee carrying my box of stuff out the door, while everyone looked on.

And because of that, I have never surprised an employee with immediate termination. Even when someone is no longer the right fit for my company, they are still a human being with bills, a family, responsibilities, and feelings. There can be respect and dignity when it comes to liberating someone from your company.

Owning a business has given me a lot more empathy for the employer who let me go 18 years ago. Being the employee who was let go, has given me a lot more empathy for the people I eventually have had to let go myself.

Turns out, I needed both perspectives to become the kind of business owner I wanted to be. Imagine that! I didn’t actually know everything at 20 something, even though I thought I did!

Next steps if you are ready:

• Hire My CFO for done-for-you bookkeeping and accounting services
• Use my STOP Method book and workbook to structure your cash flow with intention