Meta Layoff to Launch: How I Turned a Bad Review Into a Business

Hey, it’s been a wild ride. One minute I was climbing the corporate ladder at Meta, the next I was. .. well, not. Let me tell you my story.

Dream Job Turned Upside Down

Straight out of college, I landed a sweet gig at Meta. Content design? Perfect! I was working on Instagram, touching features used by millions. My reviews were great. Raises were happening. I thought, “I’m killing it! ”

Then, BAM! Layoff email. April 2023. Gone. Just like that.

It hit me hard. Hard work doesn’t always pay off. Job hunting felt impossible. But, this setback? It pushed me. Pushed me to chase my real passion.

Big Tech Dreams vs. Indie Game Reality

I always loved indie video games. My plan was Big Tech first, then my own studio. The layoff changed everything. It messed with my head. I felt lost.

I scrambled for another job. Landed a contract at Yahoo. Short-lived. Back to square one. More layoffs in the industry. It was brutal.

Here’s the crazy part. I was on Forbes 30 Under 30. Seriously! But still couldn’t find a job. Talk about a disconnect.

Forbes 30 Under 30 and Still Unemployed?

My indie game, “Gold Lining,” was getting some buzz. Content creation was bringing in a little cash. Then, Forbes happened.

Amazing, right? Except. .. I was unemployed. Crying in my room. Feeling like a fraud. Dystopian, for sure.

Turns out, Forbes 30 Under 30 doesn’t guarantee a job. Who knew?

A Hobby Project to the Rescue

I was losing faith in “Gold Lining. ” Rejections piling up. I felt like I was losing my way, trying to please everyone else.

I started a side project. Just for fun. To reignite my passion. To cope with the stress of being unemployed and my game failing.

July 2024. I stepped away from “Gold Lining. ” That same month, “Lily’s World XD” was born. A psychological horror game. Players explore a girl’s computer. Creepy, right?

I posted a video about it on Instagram. Over 2 million views! Now? I fund myself through content creation about building “Lily’s World XD. ”

Working for Myself: Dreams and Nightmares

It’s a challenge, no doubt. But I’m chasing my dream. I’m so lucky to be doing this at my age. But, the anxiety is real.

Content creation is fickle. Will it last? I don’t know. I’m still learning to manage the stress. When I was at Meta, I could switch off. Now? My brain’s always on. Bugs in the game. Videos not performing. It’s a lot.

But I’m not giving up. I lean on my network of other game devs and creators. They get it. This is my shot. And I’m taking it.