This week, I want to dive into a topic that’s been weighing heavily on my mind: navigating the complex process of creating your own business after an unexpected layoff. It’s been two weeks since I was let go, and in that short time, I’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions, realizations, and opportunities.

One of the most surprising things has been the outpouring of support I’ve received from people I never expected to hear from. As a leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you’re not well-liked, that people only interact with you out of necessity. So, when you’re laid off, you half-expect to fade into the background. But then something remarkable happens—people start reaching out.

It’s almost shocking, really. I’ve had former colleagues, clients, and even distant connections contact me with words of encouragement, job offers, and even business opportunities. It’s a comforting feeling to know that you’ve made a positive impact on people, that they valued your leadership and now want to support you as you navigate this new chapter. This experience has been a reminder that we need to do better by those who are let go. We should reach out, offer help, and make sure they know they aren’t alone.

But as comforting as this support is, it also brings new challenges. You suddenly find yourself in a position where you have to discern which opportunities are worth pursuing. It’s a balancing act—on one hand, you need income; on the other, you have to protect yourself and the integrity of any future business you might build. Some of the people reaching out might not have had the best relationship with me in the past, and now I have to wonder: are they genuinely trying to help, or are they just trying to make a quick commission by sending me down a path they wouldn’t walk themselves?

Next week, I’ll be taking a few calls to explore some of these opportunities. But I’m approaching them with caution. There’s no rush. Fortunately, I’m in a position where I have a bit of a cushion—six weeks of severance pay and the option for six months of unemployment benefits after that. This gives me time to make the best decisions, to really vet each opportunity thoroughly.

The pressure to move quickly can be intense. People will tell you to take the first client that comes your way, to start working immediately. But I’ve learned from past experience that it’s crucial to have a thorough vetting process. Rushing into things, especially when starting out, can lead to disaster. I’ve seen it happen before. In the early days of agency life, we had a new salesman who would bring in clients who, to put it bluntly, were nightmares. They had million-dollar dreams but only penny budgets, expecting miracles overnight. It’s impossible to meet those expectations, and it can set you up for failure from the start.

This reminds me of a recent experience where I nearly made a costly mistake. While setting up my business, I was registering for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and, like a rookie, I clicked on the first link I saw—a sponsored ad with a logo that looked suspiciously like the IRS. They were charging $250 for something that should have been free. It wasn’t until I was about to hit the final button that I realized my mistake. I quickly corrected it, got my EIN directly from the IRS, and avoided what could have been the first of many costly errors. That experience was a wake-up call: slow down, do your research, and don’t let the pressure push you into bad decisions.

Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m starting to assemble a team, putting together a business plan, and figuring out the best compensation model that balances immediate income for my team with long-term profitability for the company. But even this plan isn’t set in stone. I’m bringing my team into the process, encouraging them to poke holes in it, because that’s how you create something that can withstand the challenges ahead.

The moral of this story? Take your time. Use the time you have wisely. There’s no rush to get everything perfect from day one. The foundation you build now will determine the stability of your business in the future. So, slow down, do it right, and ensure that every step you take is a step toward success.