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- 🔑 From Google Layoff to Full-Time Youtuber | Shao Chun Chen
🔑 From Google Layoff to Full-Time Youtuber | Shao Chun Chen
A unique story of layoff rebound, FI at 35, and building a thriving Youtube channel
Dexter Zhuang
April 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes
In partnership with
Hey readers,
Today, I’ve got a special feature for you! I’m excited to share the unique story of my friend Shao.
Today, in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:
🎯 How an ex-Googler turned a layoff into Youtube videos with millions of views
💪 The often-overlooked skill that future proofs your career
🔑 The counterintuitive framework he used to achieve financial freedom at 35
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🎬 From Google Layoff to Full-Time Youtuber | Shao Chun Chen
While many people love to hate on Linkedin, I’ve built numerous genuine relationships on the platform.
One of them was with Shao.
Last summer, Shao sent me a Linkedin DM introducing himself.
We chit-chatted about about creating money content on the platform.
Fast forward to now. He’s been on a tear, rapidly growing his Youtube channel, 9 to 5 Millionaire Mindset, to millions of views.
What I find inspiring about Shao’s journey isn’t just his quick rebound from his layoff, but how accessible his career and money journey is for many of us.
Without further ado, I’m excited to put the spotlight on Shao:
Shao is a Youtuber based in Singapore, focusing on personal finance content, and a part-time lecturer at National University of Singapore. Previously working for companies like Google and JPMorgan, Shao has achieved his version of financial freedom and now resides in Thailand. Many have related to Shao’s journey so far; with 13k subs so far on his Youtube channel and being featured on popular publications like Business Insider, CNBC, NHK (Japan) and The Straits Times (Singapore).
You’ve had a successful career, working at places like Google, LinkedIn, and JP Morgan. Tell us about your career journey leading up to your layoff.
I grew up in a financially unstable family. I saw my mum break down crying when creditors came to our home demanding payment, so studying and working in finance became my top focus.
I eventually started my career working in Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan. Financially I was doing well. But within 3 months of working in finance, I knew the industry wasn't my thing.
However, it took me 5 years to finally have the courage to admit it to myself and give up the high salary of finance.
That’s when I took a 60% pay cut to transition to the tech industry as a Business Development rep at LinkedIn. That experience paved the way to my dream job at Google, where I spent 8 amazing years.
That journey made me feel like I had to “go down one mountain” to climb even higher on the new mountain.
At Google, I took advantage of the high salary and equity rewards to continue saving and investing. Eventually, I achieved my version of financial independence.
You can find out more about my journey in this feature by Business Insider.
What was your initial emotional reaction to the layoffs? What frameworks or guidance helped you move forward in building your career?
When I first found out I was laid off, I knew financially I was gonna be alright.
Having worked in the finance industry in the early 2010s, I saw how layoffs were so common. That shaped my saving and investing behavior, leading me to be prepared for the financial blow of a layoff.
But emotionally, being laid off was tough. No one really taught or prepared me for the sudden lost of identity, confidence and relevance.
I took time to really internalize my experience and shared my thoughts about being laid off in a Youtube video (see below). It blew up (~500k view), showing me that my layoff experience was shared by so many others. It also gave me the confidence to share my authentic voice on YouTube.