Ever wondered what the journey to entrepreneurship looked like? Well, Dria Murphy (she/her) can tell you it’s not an easy one. Now the founder of by dria, Alise Collective, and a ton of other cool things, the brand builder def didn’t set out to be one, but can look back and see the correlation when she made the move to NYC only knowing one person 13 years ago. “I just knew I wanted to be in the energy and hustle that you expect from New York City,” she says.

But what she didn’t expect was the layoff that changed her career (and mental health) altogether. Before we dive into that, let’s rewind a bit…

What have you been up to since your move to the Big Apple?
Today, I’m the author and curator of by dria, a shoppable lifestyle site where I share an unparalleled collection of tried and trusted wellness products based on my experience in the industry for 10+ years. I’m also the founder and CEO of creative marketing company Alise Collective, which specializes in launching and partnering with niche, start-up brands in the wellness space (like Spring Fertility and Hero Beach Club) and a board member of Commit2Change, a non-profit org dedicated to providing education to orphaned teenage girls in India, where I lend my marketing expertise to build brand awareness for the organization and leverage my social media platforms and network to share the girls’ personal stories.

Before moving on to focus on my solo ventures, I also co-founded the ness, carving the specialized trampoline fitness category and expanding its reach beyond the NYC studio to resonate with tastemakers and consumers at scale.

Lately we’ve seen layoffs happening across various industries. What was your experience with that like?
One day, I walked into the office I was working for at the time and they informed us it would be our last day, as is the case with many start-ups. It was very unexpected and I was devastated, but it ultimately led me to start my own business because it pushed me to reevaluate my career desires. I knew I didn’t want another 9 to 5 job, but wasn’t exactly sure what working for myself looked like. I spent the summer consulting for The Surf Lodge in Montauk, which led me to opportunities to work with incredible brands, one being Google. I met another female entrepreneur who became an important mentor to me and led to my first real client. I spent that entire summer working, networking, and saving money.

Afterwards, I decided I needed to start my own thing. Because I had created some opportunities for myself in a short amount of time, I had faith I could keep doing that. If the layoff didn’t push me out of my comfort zone, I’m not sure when I would have taken the leap. It was definitely pivotal for me, as it led to a career change, personal growth, and the creation of Alise Collective.

How did that life-changing layoff affect your mental health?
If you experience a layoff, you have to remember that it doesn’t have anything to do with your self-worth, which is easier said than done. What helped me in the moments of the unknown was staying consistent with practices I know keep me staying positive. This includes movement, prioritizing sleep, journaling, and therapy. A mantra I love is, “Mindset is everything.” It’s so simple and true, but oftentimes hard to grasp when you are consumed by whatever is going on in your life. I try to remind myself that I have the power to change my mindset to reflect positivity.

What advice do you have for those who are in similar situations?
Everything happens for a reason. (I know, I know, but it’s true!) When I was laid off, I thought it was the worst thing that ever happened to me, but it ended up being the best. The layoff forced me to dig deep and sit with the uncomfortable. I ended up turning my fear of the unknown into the ultimate hustle, and it ended up being the ultimate motivation to figure out what I really wanted to do. A few other pieces of advice I have are:

1. Lean on your mentors and have confidence. Going outside of your comfort zone will be scary, but that is where real change and growth happens. And don’t be afraid to ask for help!

2. Play the long game. Short-term successes may be hard to turn down in the moment and people may question you, but sticking true to your vision and message will always pay off tenfold in the long run. Have patience and trust yourself.

3. Self-care comes from the inside first. Everything else is just frosting. This past year, I’ve done a lot of work on myself and that growth was painful at times but also rewarding. Reflecting on the pain and disappointment has only inspired me to continue to do the work. It’s worth it. The relationship you have with yourself is and will always be most important. Continue to get comfortable with that and embrace it even when you don’t want to.