How to Prepare For Layoffs: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
It’s been 16 months since I was laid off for the first time
I want to share much of what the last several months have looked like. A lot of people assume that I’ve just been doing cybersecurity consulting. And I have, but most people have the 9-5 vibe on their mind, and that couldn’t be further from what life looks like now. I spent several months trying to replace my job. Becoming quite demoralized. Trying to start a business at the same time. Realizing that’s kind of not possible. Wondering how in the world we were going to eat. Then finally making some decisions together with my wife. Deciding to become scrappy with how we make money. Realizing that earning any income is stressful and takes time, but not all stress and not all time is equal.
Cybersecurity Consulting (CipherNorth)
If you’ve been anywhere around cybersecurity for the last few days, you know that it’s constantly changing. So, I’ve been keeping up with it, and ensuring I can stay on top of relevant topics for my clients.
I tapped my network early to try and get some early income coming in. I’ve been able to use that to expand my reach outside of my network and build opportunities.
I’m very deliberate about the projects I take on. I don’t want to over commit because this is not good for my health and it’s not good for my client’s success. I’m learning about building a brand slowly and on purpose.
The foundation is solid and the work is good. Like most new businesses though, it’s not yet at the revenue I need on its own and I have to ensure I can provide the quality my clients deserve while also finding other ways to generate income for the family. This is the ugly truth about starting a business. It can take years to ‘make it,’ if you do at all.
Web, Marketing & SEO (Yellow Hammer Digital)
This came about through two or three different avenues. CipherNorth is able to support the venture, several of our family relationships have provided opportunities to provide photography services, and relationships through the trades have offered several opportunities to provide these services. This is not the same service nor the same client as CipherNorth consulting. This was the main reason we branded it, even though it’s adjacent to that work. This has also allowed me to do some work in partnership with my wife. It’s different than me helping her or her helping me, we get to truly both bring different skills together for this work.
Helping Anna Build Something She Loves (Mountain Mage Herbals)
My wife and I have always been passionate about eating healthy, about sustainability, and about preserving and restoring native plants. As we grow things on our property, Anna has learned to make tinctures and salves to take advantage of the plants we have available to us. She has also studied to become an herbalist and is constantly learning new ways to use what we have. She is now regularly doing farmers markets and shows around Birmingham. We have some ventures we’re hoping to bring to fruition in the next several months that we’re genuinely excited about. I’ll share more when there’s more to share. It’s been hard to support her when she is gone at these markets, when the business part of it makes the passionate part less fun, and when sales aren’t what you hoped. But we are learning together and it is making us stronger partners.
Learning a Trade (HVAC)
I mentioned that consulting was not bringing in the revenue that we needed. While at a firefighting training course, I made a friend and he happened to own his own HVAC company. We talked and decided it made sense for me to join him. So, I’m learning a trade, I’m working along side a friend, I’m learning what it’s like to work in an attic in July in Alabama, I’m learning how to troubleshoot low voltage issues in an air conditioner and how to service a furnace. I’m loving it. I love to learn. I’m also learning the operations of a trades company, helping optimize (any of you who know me know how I love to optimize), and learning to grow a business (up over 30% yoy) but maintain impeccable quality and workmanship and customer service.
Firefighting & Rescue (PMVFD)
Just this year, I’ve become a certified volunteer firefighter by the state of Alabama, I’ve added Technical Rescue: Rope Tech and Mobile Water Supply, and I’m about to become an instructor. I’ve gone inside my first burning buildings this year. I’m adding additional Wilderness Rescue training this month as well. This isn’t just a hobby, it has become a commitment to my community and something I really enjoy being able to do. I’m able to give back in ways I never did in the corporate world. Yes, even when responding at 2am :)
Closing
None of this was part of a plan. Some of it has happened by accident or well placed luck, but it has all been intentional. What you will see is it all has something to do with ownership, learning, hands on skills, building, growing, entrepreneurship, and partnership.