How an unexpected (and probably illegal) layoff during the financial crisis turned out to be one of the best things that could have ever happened to me...

Sixteen years ago today, my third son, Harrison arrived joyfully into the world at 1:30 in the afternoon.

A picture-perfect fall Thursday in the Carolina's, I remember it like yesterday.

At the time, I'd been working 20 hours a week in a corporate job that drained the joy out of me. Easy work, but so incredibly boring and soul-sucking.

I’d already been running my stationery design business as a part-time side hustle for four years, and even though it barely made any money, it lit me up in a way nothing else did.

So I took my eight weeks of FMLA maternity leave, and just after the holidays, I reluctantly checked in to confirm my schedule for returning to work.

To my surprise, they said my role had been filled, and they didn't need me anymore.