She Worked at Amazon While Building a Backup Plan — When Layoffs Hit, Her Income Never Stopped
6 min read
While working full-time at Amazon, Tejal Rives quietly built a résumé-writing and career coaching business on the side. When layoffs arrived, the business became her financial safety net.
As layoffs continue to reshape the tech industry, more professionals are beginning to rethink what job security actually means.
For many workers, side hustles are no longer just passion projects or extra sources of income — they are becoming strategic backup plans for uncertain times.
"The best time to build a backup plan is before you actually need one."
Working at Amazon While Building Something Else
Tejal Rives worked in product marketing at Amazon while simultaneously building a résumé-writing and career coaching business with her husband.
According to reports, the couple purchased a career services company called Do My Resume LLC in 2024 as a side business.
At first, the company operated quietly alongside her corporate career. But over time, the business gradually became something more serious.
Layoffs Changed Everything
In October 2025, Amazon announced another round of layoffs, and Tejal Rives lost her job.
Unlike many employees caught completely unprepared, she and her husband had already discussed what their next move would be if layoffs ever happened.
That conversation turned their side business into a real financial safety net.
"A side hustle can become survival when corporate stability disappears."
How She Avoided Burnout
Managing a full-time corporate job while building a business could easily lead to burnout, but Rives said she relied on strict time-management habits.
Instead of working constantly, she created fixed schedules for business tasks during evenings and weekends.
Once those work hours ended, she intentionally disconnected from both corporate and business responsibilities.
She explained that protecting personal time helped her maintain balance and avoid losing herself in nonstop work.
Keeping the Side Business Separate
Rives also made a conscious effort to avoid mixing her Amazon responsibilities with her side business.
Client meetings were scheduled outside office hours, while existing team members helped manage emails and operations during the day.
She emphasized that people should build side hustles around their actual lives instead of sacrificing everything for growth.
"Kids, family responsibilities, and mental health matter just as much as productivity."
The Emotional Impact of Layoffs
After losing her job, Rives openly shared her emotional experience through several LinkedIn posts.
She described layoffs as a form of grief that arrives in emotional waves — from shock and uncertainty to self-doubt and anxiety.
In one post, she reflected on how layoffs can make people question their value and identity after years of corporate work.
Despite the emotional impact, she also revealed that she already had a short-term plan ready.
Turning the Business Into Full-Time Work
After the layoff, Rives decided to focus fully on growing the business while also caring for her young daughter.
She began creating online career content, offering coaching sessions, and building her social media presence under the name 'Caffeinated Tejal.'
The flexibility of working independently also helped her family manage caregiving responsibilities without the pressure of corporate schedules.
Why This Story Resonates With So Many Professionals
The story reflects a growing reality inside the modern workforce: even jobs at major tech companies no longer guarantee long-term security.
As layoffs continue across industries, professionals are increasingly investing in freelance work, digital businesses, personal brands, and independent income streams.
For many people, the goal is no longer just career growth inside a company — it is building flexibility and resilience outside of one.
"Corporate jobs can disappear overnight. Skills and ownership stay with you."
The Bigger Shift Happening in Tech
The tech industry’s wave of layoffs has fundamentally changed how younger professionals think about employment.
Instead of relying entirely on one employer, workers are now building multiple income streams through content creation, consulting, coaching, ecommerce, SaaS products, and freelancing.
Experts believe this shift toward independent income and personal ownership could become one of the defining workplace trends of the next decade.
Final Takeaway
Tejal Rives’ story is not just about surviving layoffs — it is about preparing for uncertainty before it arrives.
By slowly building a business while still employed, she created a level of flexibility that many workers only begin searching for after losing their jobs.
In an era where corporate stability feels increasingly fragile, her experience highlights why backup plans, side businesses, and personal ownership are becoming more important than ever.