Product Growth Podcast
From Laid Off to Most Followed PM: How Chloe Shih Grew to 750K+ on Insta, 300K+ on YT
Jan 21, 2025
Chloe Shih, a former product manager at Meta, TikTok, and Discord, became a viral sensation after documenting her layoff. She shares her insightful journey pivoting from product management to full-time content creation, amassing over 750K followers on Instagram. Topics covered include the impact of mass layoffs in the tech industry, the creative culture at TikTok, and how she tackled the challenges of building a personal brand from scratch. Chloe also discusses the balance between her professional and creative pursuits, offering invaluable advice to those navigating similar transitions.
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Quick takeaways
- Chloe Shih's viral layoff video highlighted the complexities of public perception and the media's portrayal of personal experiences during layoffs.
- Her transition to content creation post-layoff exemplifies how setbacks can be leveraged as opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Deep dives
The Viral Layoff Video
Chloe Shi's experience of being laid off from Discord went viral when she filmed the moment, generating over 100 million impressions on X. Critics speculated on her motives, questioning whether she intended to attract attention or deliver a message, while she maintained it was simply her act of vlogging, a hobby she had pursued for three years. The public reaction was overwhelmingly negative, highlighting the judgment against her choices, such as her living conditions and lifestyle choices, leading to significant online scrutiny. Despite this backlash, the publicity catalyzed a rapid increase in her social media following across various platforms.
