Laid Off: A Fashion Stylist Two Weeks Before Giving Birth

"Stability feels less like having everything figured out and more like being present, adaptable, and determined to keep moving forward."

Jan 28, 2025

Laid Off is the coolest place on the internet to talk about being laid off. Wanna partner? Have a tip? Hit reply.

In today’s issue, I talk to Tamira Wells, a fashion stylist and founder of streetwear brand New Heritage. Tamira was laid off twice: once two weeks before her son was born, and the second time when he was two-years-old. She shares how these layoffs intersect with postpartum challenges and parenting.

Tamira, 40, worked as a remote stylist for luxury e-commerce brand Farfetch. On July 26, 2021, the company denied her request for maternity leave. On August 21st, she was laid off, and on September 2nd, her son was born.

She was laid off a second time — working as a virtual men’s stylist for men’s clothing subscription platform Stately — when her son was two-years-old.

She said these experiences shaped her perspective on stability, motherhood, and the drive to build something lasting — her streetwear brand.

“The postpartum period was already an emotional and physical adjustment, and being laid off added an extra layer of stress and vulnerability,” Tamira said. “It forced me to lean into resilience in ways I hadn’t expected, especially as I became a new mom and started to process what these changes meant for my family’s future.”

What reasoning did they give for laying you off?

Farfetch never explicitly gave a reason for laying me off, but I believe it was related to them denying my maternity leave. Given the timing and circumstances, it just felt like a decision that was tied to that situation.

As for Stately, they said the reasoning for my layoff was due to sustained financial challenges and that my position was part of a workforce reduction. They issued the termination notice, stating my position would be eliminated effective March 21, 2024. Honestly, I don’t believe them at all. It didn’t make sense given the positive feedback I received, and the lack of transparency made it even harder to trust their reasoning.

How did they handle layoffs?

When I was laid off at Farfetch, they told me I was doing well, but due to the circumstances of Covid, they would have to let me go. It was a tough moment because it felt like a shock, especially after receiving positive feedback.

With Stately, it felt a bit more off from the start. A random meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m., but my shift was 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. So, when I logged in that morning, I immediately noticed my usual assignment wasn’t in the portal. I tried messaging my manager on Slack, but got no response. At that point, I had a gut feeling something wasn’t right. When I joined the meeting, it was with the CEO, HR, and both of my managers, which made me even more suspicious. They thanked me for my hard work and engagement, and the CEO even said it hurt his heart to let me go, but he believed I’d find another position soon because I was smart and a hard worker. Honestly, I was full of tears and overwhelmed, so I couldn't fully process what was happening. It was hard to understand because they all spoke highly of me, yet the decision didn’t make sense in that moment. It was an emotional and surreal experience.

Who was the first person you told after getting laid off?

I try to be private about things but Covid and having my son has pushed me to speak up. I posted on my Facebook and Instagram that all I wanted was a hug and love, but no one was available and all my family lives in Baltimore.

Your first layoff was two weeks before delivering your son.

It was during the height of COVID, and while rent was on freeze, which gave me some relief about shelter, I was still overwhelmed with uncertainty. I had prepared as much as I could for my son’s arrival, but I didn’t have any money, and my son’s father wasn’t supportive. All of my close family and friends lived in Baltimore, and while I had a few friends in LA, everyone was just trying to navigate the chaos of the pandemic. It was an isolating and uncertain time. I didn’t know much about postpartum recovery then, and when my son arrived, I quickly realized how unprepared I was for the emotional toll. While I was incredibly grateful for his safe delivery, I couldn’t fully enjoy the experience because all I could think about was, how am I going to do this?

The postpartum period was tough. I felt like I was in survival mode — juggling the joy of being a new mom with the heavy weight of financial stress, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of loneliness. But even in the hardest moments, I found strength in my love for my son. I reminded myself that every step forward, no matter how small, was progress.

Your second layoff was when your son was two years old. How did these experiences shape your perspective on stability and motherhood?

The job market has been tough — filling out countless applications, facing rejections, and trying to stay hopeful.

Around the same time, my son was diagnosed with autism, which brought its own set of challenges. It felt like one hurdle after another, and I often found myself wondering how I was going to keep it all together. Despite the weight of it all, my son has been my anchor. I’ve had to dig deep to stay strong for him, even when I’m struggling inside. His diagnosis shifted my perspective, teaching me to celebrate the little wins and find joy in moments I might have otherwise overlooked. Stability feels less like having everything figured out and more like being present, adaptable, and determined to keep moving forward.

What were the emotional and physical tolls of being laid off postpartum? While parenting a young child?

People don’t talk about postpartum enough — it’s such a complex and isolating time. It makes you grieve your old life, the freedom you once had, and sometimes even resent the situation, all while feeling immense gratitude for your child. When those little eyes look at you and they smile, it makes things feel lighter, but it doesn’t erase how hard it is. I was fully exhausted. There were days I didn’t have the energy to properly bathe because every moment was spent making bottles, changing diapers, and trying to keep up with my son’s needs. I felt like I was running on fumes.

At the same time, I was searching for jobs and decided to lean on my business as a way to create stability for us. But even that led to disappointment — no one was buying anything. It was disheartening to pour my energy into something I believed in, only to feel like I was failing at it, too.

That season of life taught me resilience, though not without a lot of tears and hard lessons. It showed me that while things may not always go as planned, it’s okay to pause, regroup, and try again.

What resources were lifelines during this time? What do you wish your companies offered to make the transition more manageable? Livable?

The resources that became lifelines for me were 211 and unemployment, though the process of receiving unemployment benefits took about six months of fighting for it. I also received a grant for my business, which I was incredibly grateful for, but I had to use the entire amount just to cover my rent. While these resources provided some relief, they weren’t enough to make the situation feel stable or manageable.

What I really wish companies offered was more support for employees after a layoff. There should be job sites or programs specifically tailored to help people who’ve been laid off get back on their feet. Whether it’s career counseling, access to temporary work, or a network of employers actively seeking to hire displaced workers, these kinds of resources would have made the transition more livable. Layoffs are life-altering, especially when you’re a parent. If companies could also offer things like extended health benefits, financial planning support, or partnerships with organizations that provide emergency aid, it would go a long way in helping people navigate such a difficult time.

You’ve also been building your own streetwear brand.

I actually relaunched my streetwear brand New Heritage eight years ago to honor my late aunt and uncle, the original founders. Over the years, I’ve bootstrapped the business using the income from the jobs I’ve had, but I was never able to fully pour my all into it. When Covid hit, things became even harder. Financial issues and the uncertainty of the pandemic made it difficult to focus on growing the brand the way I had envisioned. I was juggling survival while trying to keep the dream alive, which was incredibly challenging. The timing of those layoffs brought me back to my business as a source of hope and possibility, even if the circumstances weren’t ideal. It reminded me why I started in the first place and pushed me to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult things got.

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What advice would you give to parents with newborns/young kids going through layoffs?

Lean into community and seek out resources that can help. Look for support groups or local communities, whether online or in person — connecting with others who are going through similar challenges can be a lifeline.

Sign up for government assistance programs. It may take some time to get approved, but they can provide crucial support during difficult times. Don’t forget about self-care. It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re focused on your kids, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. Also, be open about your journey and tell your story. Sharing what you're going through can not only help you process your emotions but may also open doors to opportunities, connections, or just the comfort of knowing you're not alone. Lastly, be patient with yourself and your situation. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but the road to stability and peace takes time. Keep going, even when it feels like there’s no way out. You’re stronger than you think.

One thing I’ve learned through all of this is the importance of asking for help and putting yourself out there. There are resources, people, and communities out there willing to support you. I’m still struggling with building my business and have been receiving rejections from job applications, but I keep reminding myself that setbacks are just part of the journey.

If you’re in a similar place, don’t be afraid to ask for support, share your struggles, and keep putting yourself out there. Even the smallest effort can lead to something bigger down the road.

Tamira is actively seeking remote work opportunities in wardrobe consulting, wardrobe organizing, or consulting for starting a clothing brand. She has 20+ years of experience in retail/high-end customer service.

She also creates custom t-shirts for special occasions. To connect or support her brand, reach out on LinkedIn or Instagram.