Side Hustle School Ep. 3228 - Weekend Workshop: When Getting Fired Becomes Your Best Break
Nov 2, 2025
Explore how losing a job can spark unexpected opportunities. Hear Michael's journey from layoff to launching a mattress business from an empty car showroom. Discover how innovative marketing strategies, like bicycle delivery, helped him stand out. Learn why embracing change and continuous education can lead to long-term success. Michael's story emphasizes viewing setbacks as stepping stones to freedom and new ventures. Tune in for actionable insights on starting your own side hustle!
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Sudden Layoff Sparks Career Turning Point
- Michael Hanna was laid off after 25 years in sales and drove home to tell his family his career had ended that afternoon.
- The sudden layoff started his transition from corporate employee to entrepreneur selling mattresses.
Accidental Inventory Becomes Opportunity
- A friend offered Michael a truckload of closeout mattresses and suggested he try selling them on Craigslist.
- Michael bought inventory with his wife's approval and used empty retail space to store the stock.
Run A Low-Risk Experiment First
- Do treat a small, low-risk experiment as a way to stay busy and test market demand.
- Use modest expectations (break-even worst case) to reduce fear and allow you to try new ideas quickly.
