Love this, a big fan on your content and agree completely. I think the biggest obstacle feels like building the right systems to have relatively consistent pipeline. I'd love to get your thoughts on what those types of systems look like and what has and hasn't worked for you? Keep up the inspiring content!
You had me at "building someone else's dream." I wholeheartedly believe that we should all be looking for diverse ways to engage with the market—especially in this new era of AI. I've never been comfortable with giving a company complete autonomy over my security and well-being.
really felt this one. i've been running my agency since i got laid off in 2020. have felt the shakiness and uncertainty but i look across the gap to my full-time friends who also have their own anxieties around being laid off + hating their bosses.
with a basket of clients, my setup now feels diversified and hedged across multiple businesses vs just 1 - and i also get to decide who i want to vs not work with.
I really appreciate how you share this stuff in real time! Our human brains cling to stories and having more examples of people creating their own options when it comes to work is so important. You can quit full time roles and you can unquit them!
Definetly resonates, especially the part about career optionality and the shifting nature of stability. You’re absolutely right that full-time roles no longer offer the safety net they once did.
That said, I find myself thinking about how this applies to product roles specifically. Not everyone in product wants to, or realistically can, become an author, public-facing advisor, or one-off consultant. Much of the value we bring happens over time: shaping direction, stewarding complexity, and building context across quarters. That kind of work doesn’t lend itself well to short-term or external engagements.
Underlying this shift is a harsher reality: these changes will likely be brutal for the total number of people working in product, just like we’re seeing in other white collar industries. The fortunate ones, those with strong reputations, clear positioning, or the ability to build and sell their thinking, will adapt well. But it won’t be an easy or accessible path for everyone.
The question for many of us is how to find a niche that will have market demand.
For myself, and I'd like to say I'm in a fairly privileged position of having dev + design skills behind me, I have yet over the last 3 years to find such a niche worthy of exploring even part time. I hope I do in the future, but in my opinion this part is one of the roughest parts of the journey.
If you're offering services you're delivering yourself, find ways to generate passive income, too. You never know when you may not be up to working as hard (out sick, family emergencies, etc.).
I was laid off in 2023 after 20+ years of "safety" in full time employment, and thought long and hard about whether to go back. I decided to try the solopreneur path to create optionality, freedom, less stress, and diverse income streams. Still a work in progress but I definitely feel more empowered and responsible for my life. I'm not saying "no" forever to full time employment, but it would have to be a really interesting opportunity to go back.
I found myself nodding as I read this. I think you've articulated so well what is happening in the market, and I especially like your framing of unlocking optionality, whether in-house or not.
So proud of you Elena. Thanks for continuing to inspire me. I can't quit yet, but I definitely will at some point. Always cheering for you like your student!
I agree! I am in that process. I am trying to follow your experience, Leah and Wes, regarding solopreneurship. Maybe in Latam it is more difficult, but not impossible.
Totally agree and I am sailing in that zone as well. Best thing is to start building the optionality and test your skills on the side. Doing nothing is actually increasing your risk with full time employment. Thinking like a soloprenour brings a new level of confidence into your full time role. It complements well.
Love this, a big fan on your content and agree completely. I think the biggest obstacle feels like building the right systems to have relatively consistent pipeline. I'd love to get your thoughts on what those types of systems look like and what has and hasn't worked for you? Keep up the inspiring content!
love this. this resonates A LOT, elena. thank you!
You had me at "building someone else's dream." I wholeheartedly believe that we should all be looking for diverse ways to engage with the market—especially in this new era of AI. I've never been comfortable with giving a company complete autonomy over my security and well-being.
Any tips for how to find one's superpowers?
really felt this one. i've been running my agency since i got laid off in 2020. have felt the shakiness and uncertainty but i look across the gap to my full-time friends who also have their own anxieties around being laid off + hating their bosses.
with a basket of clients, my setup now feels diversified and hedged across multiple businesses vs just 1 - and i also get to decide who i want to vs not work with.
I agree with you.
Solopreneurship is more alive than ever
It is more secure than a full time job.
Companies will be much more skeptical about hiring someone
People who succeed in this new market will be those who can:
Brand themselves
Build alternative mainstreams of revenue (SaaS, AaaS, Infoproducts and many others)
Congrats on your amazing journey!
Does working in this position this year help unlock new options for me? Am I doing more of the same with no growth in sight?
Both are extremely powerful. It makes you think deeply. Thanks for sharing another insightful piece!
I really appreciate how you share this stuff in real time! Our human brains cling to stories and having more examples of people creating their own options when it comes to work is so important. You can quit full time roles and you can unquit them!
Definetly resonates, especially the part about career optionality and the shifting nature of stability. You’re absolutely right that full-time roles no longer offer the safety net they once did.
That said, I find myself thinking about how this applies to product roles specifically. Not everyone in product wants to, or realistically can, become an author, public-facing advisor, or one-off consultant. Much of the value we bring happens over time: shaping direction, stewarding complexity, and building context across quarters. That kind of work doesn’t lend itself well to short-term or external engagements.
Underlying this shift is a harsher reality: these changes will likely be brutal for the total number of people working in product, just like we’re seeing in other white collar industries. The fortunate ones, those with strong reputations, clear positioning, or the ability to build and sell their thinking, will adapt well. But it won’t be an easy or accessible path for everyone.
The question for many of us is how to find a niche that will have market demand.
For myself, and I'd like to say I'm in a fairly privileged position of having dev + design skills behind me, I have yet over the last 3 years to find such a niche worthy of exploring even part time. I hope I do in the future, but in my opinion this part is one of the roughest parts of the journey.
If you're offering services you're delivering yourself, find ways to generate passive income, too. You never know when you may not be up to working as hard (out sick, family emergencies, etc.).
I was laid off in 2023 after 20+ years of "safety" in full time employment, and thought long and hard about whether to go back. I decided to try the solopreneur path to create optionality, freedom, less stress, and diverse income streams. Still a work in progress but I definitely feel more empowered and responsible for my life. I'm not saying "no" forever to full time employment, but it would have to be a really interesting opportunity to go back.
I found myself nodding as I read this. I think you've articulated so well what is happening in the market, and I especially like your framing of unlocking optionality, whether in-house or not.
So proud of you Elena. Thanks for continuing to inspire me. I can't quit yet, but I definitely will at some point. Always cheering for you like your student!
I agree! I am in that process. I am trying to follow your experience, Leah and Wes, regarding solopreneurship. Maybe in Latam it is more difficult, but not impossible.
Totally agree and I am sailing in that zone as well. Best thing is to start building the optionality and test your skills on the side. Doing nothing is actually increasing your risk with full time employment. Thinking like a soloprenour brings a new level of confidence into your full time role. It complements well.
Excelente reflexão! 🫶🏽