I Got Laid Off… So I’m Betting Everything on Studio Hela

I Got Laid Off… So I’m Betting Everything on Studio Hela

https://youtu.be/IwvZuJRZi5Y?is=4Sg0Bfcn0g6jR96n

Well…

This wasn’t exactly the life update I planned on sharing.

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, why Studio Hela disappeared for a while, or why the shop suddenly feels so alive again—this video is the story behind all of it.

After spending the last year recovering from major knee surgery, I finally reopened Studio Hela. It felt like I was getting a piece of myself back after months of physical therapy, healing, and wondering if I’d ever have the energy (or knees) to create the way I used to.

Then life threw me another plot twist.

I was laid off from my almost six-figure corporate job.

Not exactly the plot twist I had on my 2026 bingo card.

For about five minutes, I panicked like any responsible adult with bills, responsibilities, and a healthy appreciation for health insurance. Then something unexpected happened.

I realized I’d been talking about building Studio Hela into my full-time career for years.

Now I have the opportunity—and the pressure—to actually do it.

So instead of pretending everything is perfectly curated, I’ve decided to document the whole journey.

The messy parts.

The exciting parts.

The “what was I thinking?” parts.

The tiny victories that somehow feel enormous when you’re building something from scratch.

Welcome to the Studio Hela Documentary

This isn’t just another studio vlog.

Think of it as a behind-the-scenes documentary following one slightly chaotic, elder millennial maker who’s attempting to turn a tiny handmade business into a sustainable full-time career.

You’ll see what it’s really looks like to run a small creative business—from designing new products and pouring resin to packing orders, making mistakes, celebrating milestones, and occasionally questioning every life decision that led me here.

If you’ve ever dreamed of leaving corporate, starting a creative business, or simply creating a life that feels more like your own, I hope you’ll follow along.

Watch the First Episode

In this first episode, I’m sharing:

• Why Studio Hela closed for an entire year
• What recovering from major knee surgery was really like
• The story behind reopening the shop
• How getting laid off completely changed my plans
• Why I’m choosing to bet on myself—and on Studio Hela

This is the beginning of a brand-new chapter, and I’m so grateful you’re here for it.

🎥 Watch the video below and let me know in the comments: Have you ever experienced a life event that completely changed your direction? Sometimes the hardest chapters end up becoming the beginning of something better.

Thank you, as always, for supporting this little pink corner of the internet. Whether you’ve been here since my resin jewelry days or you just stumbled across Studio Hela today, I’m incredibly happy you’re here.

Here’s to new beginnings, questionable financial decisions, lots of coffee, and seeing just how far we can take Studio Hela together.

With love,

Valerie 💖
Founder, Studio Hela