Back on the Market. Sly opens up about stepping back from her Web3 startup to rebuild, find stability, and lean into new opportunities in branding, AI, and purpose-driven projects.
There’s something humbling about saying, “I’m looking for work.” Especially when you're someone used to making work: launching ideas from scratch, leading teams, and creating your own lane when one didn’t exist.
But here I am. Like so many others, I’m navigating a moment of pause, reflection, and redirection.
For the past few years, I’ve been building by leading brand strategy, designing platforms, mentoring students, and even launching my own startup. We were running on fumes, building something bold with little more than belief, sweat equity, and community. It was passion-fueled and purpose-driven. But I’ve learned something crucial: it’s hard to pour into a vision when your personal foundation isn’t as stable as you need it to be.
So now, I’m taking a step back, not from my ambition, but from trying to do it all at once.
And this story? It’s not rare. More and more founders and creatives are cycling between building their own ventures and stepping into meaningful roles with companies that value their experience. It’s not failure. It’s sustainability. It’s strategy. It’s how modern creators and leaders stay in the game long enough to truly make an impact.
And let’s be real: finding work in this economy? It’s no small feat. Layoffs have hit across industries, from tech to media to education. According to Layoffs.fyi, over 60,000 tech workers were laid off in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Talented, driven, highly experienced people are looking for what’s next, not because they failed, but because the market shifted beneath their feet. This isn’t just my story, it’s a collective one. And that collective truth deserves to be acknowledged with honesty and compassion.
I’m open to contract or full-time opportunities in branding, creative strategy, marketing, and community building. I’m especially lit up by work that lives at the intersection of culture, technology, and storytelling, whether that’s in music, AI, education, or social impact.
This season is about restabilizing my foundation, amplifying my personal brand, and creating space for the next chapter, including a few deeply personal projects, like finally helping my mom publish her book even though she is no longer with us (this year makes 10 sense she's passed). These are the stories that matter. And I want the capacity to tell them, alongside building brands that matter too.
So, if you know a company, founder, or team that needs someone with heart, hustle, vision, and execution—send them my way or send me their way.
And to anyone else who’s out there looking, especially those shifting from founder to workforce, or navigating a layoff—you’re not alone. This path can be humbling, but it’s also human. Put yourself out there. Keep sharing your story. Keep working on your personal brand. Something will land. Things will get better. We just have to keep moving.
Here’s to what’s next! The future is bright!
