When Tejal Rives was laid off from Amazon in October 2025, she and her husband didn’t panic. Why would they? Instead, they whipped out their meticulously crafted Plan (capital P, mind you), carefully constructed like a game of Jenga on a wobbly table.
In 2024, they had purchased Do My Resume LLC—a career-coaching and résumé-writing business. Rives was busy juggling her full-time gig at Amazon and her side hustle, employing smart time management hacks that would make a Swiss watchmaker weep with envy. Because who doesn’t dream of adding *”Entrepreneurial Juggler”* to their resume?
After witnessing the haphazard Amazon layoffs, the couple decided that if her product marketing role went the way of the Dodo, she’d channel her inner supermom and slip into the role of primary parent while running a business. Modern family dynamics, am I right?
Fast forward to the fateful day: Rives transitioned into her new gig faster than one can say “you’re fired.” She leveraged her recruitment background to dispense wisdom to job seekers online. Think of her as a digital oracle, but with fewer cryptic messages and more LinkedIn Optimization 101.
Now, Rives is quick to clarify that not everyone needs a side hustle. But if you’re single, or the *designated breadwinner,* extra income can be a lovely little safety net, or, better yet, a stash of “fun money” for those late-night ice cream binges. After her layoff, that extra cash became the cherry on top of her post-employment cupcake.
Timely Tips for the Time-Pressed
For those contemplating a side hustle that coincides with their day job, Rives suggests mastering a little thing called time management. The key? Blocking out dedicated slots to work on her business, like scheduling dentist appointments—only slightly more enjoyable and with less drilling.
When Rives set her timer for an hour, she didn’t just work; she revolutionized the concept of *working smarter,* abruptly stopping when time was up. Every timer buzz was like a mini victory, allowing her a break from the world of deadlines and PowerPoint presentations. “That helped me not get burnt out,” she explained, which is code for “I can’t be just another corporate zombie.”
Moreover, Rives held firm to the idea that her side hustle and full-time job were like oil and water: best kept apart. Client calls only in the evenings and weekends? Genius. She inherited a few team members to help lighten the load, making her the Marie Kondo of résumé services.
Her advice for budding entrepreneurs? Start small—like your banana bread baking journey during lockdown. Find what fits your lifestyle since juggling side hustles and family responsibilities is majorly like trying to balance on a unicycle while frying bacon.
So, do you have a story about launching a side hustle? Don’t be shy! Drop this reporter a line at ccheong@businessinsider.com—particularly if your tale involves mishaps worthy of a sitcom episode.
