The day I got fired...

The Firing That Built Atticus

Four years ago, I got fired from my job.

Well… technically, I resigned. But we both know how that goes.

The Breaking Point

In 2021, I was building Grow Solo Media (now Atticus) on the side while working at a UK podcast startup.

The CEO caught wind of my plans.

He pulled me aside and said:

“We’re about to offer a similar service. If you did this, you’d no longer be allowed to continue working here.”

Then came the twist:

“Of course, maybe you could build that service for us instead.”

At first, I said yes.

It felt safe. Loyal. The “right” thing to do.

But when the offer came through, the raise was $5,000.

That’s when it hit me:

They wanted my ideas, but not my upside.

The Decision

I had two choices:

1. Stay comfortable and bury my ambition

2. Leave stability for something uncertain

I chose the latter.

I’d felt that frustration for seven years working corporate.

This was my shot. So I made a hard call:

• Moved back home with my parents

• Spent almost nothing for 12 months

• Started the business in a restaurant with my ex

• First client? $500/month

That napkin plan turned into my first $80,000 contract.

The Climb

From that $500 start, everything snowballed.

• I hired three people

• Invested $60,000 in self-development

• Built a personal brand that grew to 74,000 followers

And closed $1.2M+ directly from LinkedIn.

I worked 6 days a week for 12 months. No holidays, no shortcuts.

Just focus.

The Payoff

Four years later…

• Multi-6-figure ARR, hitting $100K months

• Investment from a Nasdaq-backed portfolio company

• Team of 3 serving 16 active clients

• 100+ service companies helped

•  $260K profit in the last 4 months, growing 70% YoY

Grinding. Iterating. Growing.

The Lesson

Sometimes, getting pushed out is the best gift you’ll ever get.

Necessity forces invention. Fear sharpens focus.

You don’t need another plan.

You just need to make the jump.

Maybe it’s time you bet on yourself too.

Because the next “firing” moment might be your first freedom moment.

Bet on yourself. The rest will follow.

— Luke @ Atticus