LaidOffToLaunch.com

From the desk of Laura Denktash:

 

Where you laid-off from your job between 2008 and 2010?

Did you start your own small business instead of getting another job?

Is your business a success?

If you answered “YES” to these questions, please continue reading.

Like you…..I was laid-off in March of 2009 from a good paying corporate job I held for nearly eight years.

The Laid-Off To Launch project and the book entitled “Laid-Off To Launch:  Going Ballistic After Being Laid-Off” is about people like you.

You are one of the tens of thousands of Americans who lost their jobs during the biggest economic downturn of our modern history—minus the Great Depression of the 1930s.

But you did not let adversity get you down. You are courageous.

You became an entrepreneur when you were laid-off.

Why did you do this?

There are many reasons. But one of the reasons is that you believed and you still believe that being laid-off from your job was actually a blessing in disguise.

The final “kick in the ass” so to speak that set you on your true path.

People who do not have the entrepreneurial spirit cannot understand this. But that lack of understanding is based on fear.

You believed and you still believe that you were finally ‘given the opportunity’ to go into business for yourself.

You are one of the people who had the desire that was backed  up with the guts to go out on a limb and take a chance.

You felt it was time to do what you truly love and utilize the untapped skills you already possessed.

Let’s Be Clear…

Losing a job through lay-off is a terrible experience. There’s never a ‘good time’ for it to happen, and I don’t wish that humiliation on anyone.

But—when that event is viewed, accepted  and processed as an ‘opportunity’… it can be transformed into  a very liberating experience!

Let’s make no mistake here…if you did decide to go into business when you were laid-off you were probably in for the fight of your life! Especially during the challenging times in which we presently find ourselves.

And if you have become successful at it, you are to be congratulated! That’s why I want you to share your story!

Losing income is no joke. The loss creates a domino effect that can lead from one disaster to another: Lost cars, lost homes, lost credit, lost marriages, lost health insurance, lost health, lost 401K, lost IRA, lost stocks, lost retirement plan, lost self-esteem and lost identity…the list goes on and on. In the end, you can lose everything.

It feels like you are on a runaway train.

The stress of no money coming in can be so insurmountable that it can lead to physical or mental illness, insomnia, weight gain, weight loss, loss of libido, hair loss, migraines, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, panic attacks, drug abuse, alcoholism, premature death, suicide, domestic violence or even criminal activity not excluding murder.

This is no joke!

But only those who have really gone through it or know someone who has, really understand what it’s like to be laid-off and lose your primary source of income.

This lack of understanding is also  evidenced by what we hear on television when we hear journalists and politicians making judgement calls on those  who are on unemployment depicting them as  “lazy” or “they don’t want to work” or “they’re just looking for a hand out.”

We hear about this everyday on network and cable news stations. And frankly, I’ve heard enough. We need to hear some positive reports. These people are out of touch and we need to set the record straight by showing some good examples of how the situation can be turned around with good old American ingenuity.

Whole towns are disappearing…what’s next? Have you checked out Pontiac, Michigan lately?

I find these facts to be almost unbearable to think about. And deep inside I think…

“This is not what I signed up for…this is not the America I know and love. We as a people and a country are truly better than this. We can and must get through this. We cannot rely on the government to fix this. We as a people have to re-group. We all have to pitch in. Each of us must do what we can to create some new jobs. This is the spirit of the entrepreneur.”

To be honest, the whole thing is depressing and a cause of incredible stress not only on individuals and their families, but on our Nation as well. I was really happy to see Clint Eastwood’s commercial during the Super Bowl. He said a lot of things I have been thinking, and I am sure many many Americans have been thinking the same things. We can do this!

And that’s exactly why I wanted to start this project of compiling your stories for the book I plan to publish this summer. I can only offer one story-my own…so I need your help!

 

A Message Of Hope And Inspiration:

We need some good news right about now. Don’t you think?

We need to hear about some success stories that will rekindle our hope and raise our spirits.

I have no doubt that you were probably still looking for a job while you were building your business…that is almost a given. I know I did. But for the entire years of 2009 through 2010  I did not even get a call back, or for that matter even a courtesy email letting me know my resume had been received. Nearly two years of sending out hundreds of resumes just to see if something would happen…and guess what…..nothing happened!

That’s why I know I made the right decision when I continued to work on my business at the same time.

I just divided my time between building my business and looking for jobs. But by the end of 2009, I could tell  that the situation seemed rather hopeless. It was not  like other lay-offs and there was too much bad news on the economic front. It was too big. I was just a tiny drop in the bucket and someone had just thrown out the water!

Sound familiar?

Those of you who have been through it know exactly what I mean. You can send out hundreds and hundreds of resumes and hook-up with countless job agencies and hear:

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

The silence is shall we say…deafening.

Well…that silence made me think. It made me think very hard and it helped me to go deep within myself to find my core strength and review my deepest desires with the greatest honesty.

The silence gave me courage. The silence helped me to realize that it was now my responsibility to bring my gifts forward into the world. And the time was now. I was on my own and I could not wait any longer.

I realized my own potential and my God-given gifts and I became empowered by those gifts. I believed.

I also realized that my previous job had not fully appreciated or utilized all of my gifts. Up to a certain point I had been supported, but when the tide began to turn on the company so did the tide turn against me. I saw my ideas rejected, or being robbed by others and eventually my creativity was taken from me. I was no longer respected as a person capable of making a contribution. Who needs that?

This was a sobering and enlightening experience. I became very determined never to fall victim to that situation again. I would always be my own boss and eventually when the time was right, I would employ others. I would create some new jobs!

You Are Unique:

Then again…maybe you weren’t looking for a job after your lay-off. You may have been lucky enough to have a support system in place and someone who truly believed in you. It all depends on the situation you found yourself in at the time. Perhaps you created a family business or went into business with friends.

That’s what is so fascinating about this topic. There are so many variables. And each one of your situations is unique.

And that’s exactly what I want to explore in the book “Laid-Off To Launch: Going Ballistic After Being Laid-Off”

I know from sharing my own experience that I can inspire many people.  My story is unique. And I know that your personal story of your entrepreneurial journey can also inspire others.

I went ballistic and I’m going to share my story and how I did it the book.

Now I want to know “HOW” you did it!

I want to know about all the obstacles you faced (a gazillion no doubt) and how you overcame them.

 

I Want To Hear From You….Soon!

If you have gone on to create the business of your dreams…let me know!

I’m looking for 20 to 25 incredible stories of success for inclusion in the first volume of this book. The book is scheduled to go to print in the early summer of 2012, or sooner. If you believe you have the right stuff please do not hesitate to contact me at laura@laidofftolaunch.com Indicate your interest in this project and include in the subject line of your email: LAID OFF

Here’s How It Works:

Step One:

Once your email is received, I will email you a Preliminary Questionnaire. You’ll have 10 days to respond back. No more…Why? Because this project is on a publication timeline, which means it is deadline oriented!

Step Two:

Submitters of Preliminary Questionnaires that match the criteria will be contacted to schedule a more in-depth telephone interview.

Step Three:

Once the questionnaire responses and telephone interview responses match the criteria you’ll be notified and asked to submit your written story. Your story may be selected for inclusion in the book.

Selection for inclusion of your story in the book will be based on your response to the questionnaire and the telephone interview and your complete willingness to share your story—no holds barred. If selected, you will be emailed and snail mailed a release form that must be completed for your story to be accepted and included in the book. Stories submitted otherwise will not be considered.

Step Four:

You submit your story. You will be given guidelines and trigger questions to help you. Stories can be 2500 -3500 words maximum.

Deadline: May 15, 2012

The deadline for stories is May 15, 2012, but this deadline may come sooner if the number of stories required is received prior to that date. Should that occur, that announcement will be posted and an email to all those who participated will be sent. Should that occur and your story still meets the criteria, your story could be included in future volumes.

Make Your Move….Time Is Of The Essence:

Do something great for yourself and your business in 2012. I’m offering a platform for you to tell your story!

So… the sooner you submit the necessary items, the better chance there is of your story being published  in the book.

I have made this announcement through other media outlets, press release and social media. I expect a huge response so please…do not hesitate if you are truly interested!

Remember, not only do I want to hear HOW you achieved success but I would love to hear that your business has created some NEW JOBS or… that you are well on your way to doing so!

This is a fabulous opportunity to be published in a book and receive lots of free advertisement for your business. You may also be asked to participate in a radio show as a guest. It is a WIN/WIN situation.

I’m waiting to hear from you and I wish you continued and unlimited success in everything that you do!

Many Blessings,

 

 

LaidOffToLaunch.com

 

DISCLAIMER: Participants understand that there is no monetary award for their story. Participants also understand that there can be no guarantee of any positive benefits to participants or their business. All participants freely participate without expectations from the publisher.