The System That Rebuilt Demis: Vision to Matter After AI Job Loss

The Email That Changes Everything

Demis stared at the calendar notification. "Meeting with Sarah - 2:00 PM." His manager never scheduled random afternoon meetings.

At 2:03 PM, Sarah's voice was empathetic but firm: "Your role is being eliminated. The AI system we implemented last quarter can handle 73% of what your team does. We're keeping two engineers to manage the AI. You're not one of them."

Demis wasn't alone. In 2025, 627 tech workers lose their jobs every day as companies restructure around AI capabilities. Microsoft reports that 40% of its recent layoffs affected developers—AI tools now perform tasks previously done by junior and mid-level programmers.

The statistics are brutal:

• 37% of companies using AI say the technology replaced workers in 2023
• 44% of companies using or planning to use AI say employees will "definitely" or "probably" be laid off
• 40% of white-collar job seekers in 2024 failed to secure interviews while high-paying positions hit decade-low hiring levels
• Investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted 300 million jobs across the US and Europe could be lost or degraded as a result of AI adoption

But Demis's story didn't end with that 2:00 PM meeting. It began there.

The Existential Crisis

For three weeks, Demis sent out 47 applications. He got two responses. Both were rejections before the phone screen.

The problem wasn't his resume. It was the market. Unemployment among 20- to 30-year-olds in tech-exposed occupations has risen by almost 3 percentage points since the start of 2025. Professional services saw the lowest job openings since 2013—a 20% year-over-year drop.

Late one night, doom-scrolling LinkedIn, Demis saw a post from a former colleague: "If you're feeling lost after a layoff, maybe it's not about finding another job. Maybe it's about finding what actually matters."

The post linked to something called the Vision to Matter framework—an 8-phase process for aligning life and work with purpose.

Research on career reinvention shows that professionals facing existential crises often need structured frameworks to navigate transformation. Existential career crises shake your very core, questioning the purpose of your existence and whether your career has been a waste of time.

Demis clicked the link.

Phase 1: Being Human (Experience Self)

The framework started with a question: "What personality assessments have you completed—like Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, Human Design, StrengthsFinder, or others—and what does this say about your personality?"

This phase hit different. Before thinking about business models or revenue targets, Demis needed to understand himself. He took personality assessments (StrengthsFinder, Enneagram, DISC) and worked with a coach to understand his natural leadership approach.

Key insights:

• Strength: "Learner" and "Analytical"—he loved diving deep into complex systems
• Weakness: Impatience with people who "just don't get it" (not great for client services)
• Leadership style: Teaching through demonstration rather than explanation
• Energy source: Solving puzzles, not managing people

The revelation: He didn't want to build a big agency. He wanted to be the specialist who shows up, fixes the confusing thing, trains the team, and moves on.

Deep self-awareness is a key requirement for anyone looking to reinvent themselves, and anxiety and distress can be mitigated with a good plan of action and achieving milestones.

Phase 2: Vision (See Why)

With self-awareness established, the next question emerged: "Imagine your life one full season from now—what is your ideal vision for your life? What does that look and feel like?"

Demis spent two days with a notebook. Not applying to jobs. Just writing.

He wrote about the 11 years he spent building features users barely used. He wrote about watching small businesses struggle with technology that should have helped them but mostly just confused them. He wrote about his neighbor who ran a bakery and couldn't figure out basic online ordering.

His "why" crystallized: I want to help small businesses in Charlotte use technology that actually serves them—not technology that makes them feel stupid.

This wasn't just a nice sentiment. Charlotte's workforce is genuinely worried about AI, and programs focusing on re-skilling and up-skilling workers are helping professionals transition from traditional industries to data science, AI, and cloud computing roles.

Phase 3: Ethos (Feel How)

Vision clarity led to the next critical question: "What do you want the journey toward that vision to feel like day-to-day?"

What were the non-negotiable values that would guide every decision?

Demis defined his core ethos:

1. No Bullshit Technology: If it doesn't save time or make money, don't implement it
2. Training Over Dependency: Clients should understand what they're using, not just rely on him forever
3. Local First: Prioritize Charlotte businesses that are part of the community
4. Transparent Pricing: No "it depends" proposals—clear packages with clear value
5. Continuous Learning: Stay 6 months ahead of mainstream AI adoption

He created a one-page visual of these values—literally a poster he put on his home office wall. Every service decision, every client conversation, every partnership opportunity got filtered through this ethos.

Phase 4: North Star (See Where)

With values defined, Demis tackled specifics: "What are the specific events, milestones, or experiences that would tell you you're on the right path?"

Vision without strategy is just daydreaming. The North Star phase forced Demis to create a concrete roadmap.

3-Year Vision: Build a sustainable consulting practice serving 50+ Charlotte small businesses with AI implementation and training.

1-Year Goals:

• Generate $85K in consulting revenue (half his previous salary to start)
• Land 12 clients (averaging $7K each)
• Build a referral network with 5 Charlotte business organizations
• Create 3 standardized service packages

90-Day Tactical Steps:

• Complete AI certification from UNC Charlotte's AI Institute
• Attend 8 Chamber of Commerce events
• Offer 3 free "AI Audit" sessions to test service model
• Launch basic website with case study from free sessions

This level of specificity matters. The Ideal Life framework emphasizes that transformation requires a fixed, unmoving "Ideal" that every pursuit revolves around, and SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-related—break abstract ideas into concrete objectives.

Phase 5: Ecosystem (Know Others)

The framework then asked: "Who are the most important people who need to be part of this journey with you?"

Who were the key players in Demis's new world?

He mapped his ecosystem:

Clients (Primary): Charlotte small businesses (5-50 employees) in retail, professional services, and light manufacturing

Partners:

• Local web developers who didn't want to do AI work
• Business coaches who needed tech implementation support
• Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
• Carolina FinTech Hub and Women in Tech CLT

Community:

• Former colleagues also navigating layoffs (mutual support group)
• UNC Charlotte AI Institute (staying current on research)
• Davidson-Cornelius business owners (immediate geographic focus)

Customers (End Users): The employees at client businesses who would actually use the AI tools he implemented

The ecosystem mapping revealed a crucial insight: He didn't need to find clients from scratch. He needed to become the obvious referral for people already working with small businesses.

This aligns with Charlotte's booming tech industry, which employs over 118,000 tech workers across fintech, AI, and cybersecurity sectors.

Phase 6: Products (Your Magic)

With his ecosystem mapped, Demis faced the defining question: "What is your unique magic—the special gift only you can bring to the world?"

Demis tested three service packages with his free "AI Audit" beta clients:

Package 1: AI Readiness Assessment ($1,500)

• 2-day deep dive into current workflows
• Identify top 3 AI implementation opportunities
• ROI projections for each opportunity
• 90-day implementation roadmap

Package 2: AI Quick Win Implementation ($4,500)

• Implement ONE high-impact AI tool
• Train team on usage
• 30-day monitoring and optimization
• Documentation for ongoing management

Package 3: AI Transformation Partnership ($15,000)

• 6-month engagement
• Implement 3-5 AI solutions
• Monthly strategy sessions
• Team training program
• Quarterly ROI reporting

The magic was in the progression: Assessment led to Quick Win, which often led to Transformation Partnership. The average client lifetime value became $21,000.

This approach reflects research showing that authentic offerings should merge unique capabilities with genuine market needs through prototyping and user feedback.

Phase 7: Fund & Launch (Secure Resources & Execute)

The practical question emerged: "What would need to be in place for you to feel confident taking the first big step?"

Demis had a 6-month severance package. That was his runway.

Financial Strategy:

• Month 1-2: Live on severance, invest $3,000 in certifications, website, and initial marketing
• Month 3-4: Target $5,000/month from Assessments and first Quick Win
• Month 5-6: Target $12,000/month (1 Transformation client + 2 Quick Wins)
• Month 7+: Sustainable $15,000+/month (exceeding previous salary)

Go-to-Market Plan:

1. Launch LinkedIn presence with weekly "AI for Small Business" tips
2. Attend 2 Charlotte networking events per week
3. Partner with 3 complementary service providers (accountants, business coaches) for referrals
4. Offer free "AI Readiness Workshop" to Chamber of Commerce members
5. Convert beta clients into case studies and testimonials

The resource strategy was conservative but realistic. Charlotte's tech job market offers high-paying positions—Big Data Engineers earn $128,555 on average, Cloud Solution Architects make $145,000-$175,000—but Demis's consulting model offered faster time-to-revenue and autonomy.

Phase 8: Legacy (Cycling Up)

The final phase prompted reflection: "When you look back on your life, what do you want to have been known for?"

Nine months after the layoff, Demis reviewed his progress:

Quantitative Metrics:

• 14 clients (exceeded 12-client goal)
• $94,000 revenue (exceeded $85K goal)
• $175,000 annual run rate (exceeded previous salary)
• 6 strategic partner relationships
• 32% of revenue from referrals

Qualitative Impact:

• One client saved 15 hours/week on customer service with AI chatbot
• Another increased online sales by 23% with AI-powered product recommendations
• A third reduced inventory errors by 67% with AI forecasting

But the real legacy question was: What's next?

The Vision to Matter framework is cyclical. Demis was ready to spiral up:

• New Vision: Train 10 Charlotte tech professionals displaced by AI to become AI implementation consultants
• New North Star: Build a cooperative of AI consultants serving 200+ small businesses
• New Ecosystem: Partner with UNC Charlotte to create practitioner curriculum

This is the power of cycling up: Each iteration builds on the previous foundation with expanded wisdom and capability.

The System That Works: 30-60-90 Day Roadmap

If you're facing similar displacement or existential career questions, here's how to apply the Vision to Matter framework:

Days 1-30: Being Human, Vision & Ethos

Week 1: Self-Assessment (Being Human)

• Complete personality/strength assessments (StrengthsFinder, DISC, Enneagram, Human Design)
• Map your natural work style and energy sources
• Interview 5 people who know you well: What do they see as your unique strengths?

Week 2-3: Vision Clarity

• Write for 30 minutes daily: What problem do you want to solve in the world?
• Research market needs in your geography (Charlotte: UNC Charlotte AI Institute, Chamber of Commerce)
• Draft your compelling "why" and ideal vision one season from now

Week 4: Define Values (Ethos)

• Write your 5 non-negotiable values that will guide every decision
• Create decision-making filter based on ethos
• Design one-page visual representation of your values

Days 31-60: North Star & Ecosystem

Week 5-6: Strategic Roadmap (North Star)

• Define 3-year vision, 1-year goals, 90-day tactics
• Use SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-related
• Identify specific milestones that tell you you're on the right path

Week 7-8: Ecosystem Mapping

• List 20 potential clients in your target market
• Identify 5 complementary service providers for partnerships
• Map the most important people who need to be part of your journey
• Join 2 local business networks (Charlotte: Carolina FinTech Hub, Women in Tech CLT, Chamber)

Days 61-90: Products, Fund & Launch, Legacy Planning

Week 9: Your Unique Magic (Products)

• Define your unique gift: What can only you bring to the world?
• Offer 3 free/beta services to test product-market fit
• Create 3 service tiers (entry, mid, premium) based on client feedback
• Price based on client ROI, not your costs

Week 10-11: Fund & Launch

• Identify what needs to be in place to take your first big step
• Develop financial strategy and resource plan
• Launch basic website with beta client case studies
• Activate LinkedIn presence with weekly value content
• Attend 4+ networking events in your target geography

Week 12: Legacy & Momentum

• Reflect: What do you want to be known for when you look back on your life?
• Track leading indicators: conversations, proposals, conversions
• Set up simple financial tracking (revenue, expenses, runway)
• Schedule monthly review to cycle up and refine your approach

Charlotte-Specific Advantages

If you're navigating this transformation in the Charlotte region, you have unique resources:

Educational Infrastructure:

• UNC Charlotte AI Institute offers research partnerships and continuing education
• Career Pathways programs provide re-skilling for AI, data science, cloud computing

Economic Opportunities:

• Charlotte's tech industry growing at 31% with 118,000+ tech workers
• Major employers like Amazon's $10 billion data center project creating ecosystem demand
• Finance sector driving cybersecurity and AI compliance roles

Community Support:

• Women in Tech CLT and Carolina FinTech Hub offer job boards, meetups, career support
• Davidson-Cornelius-Mooresville corridor has tight-knit small business community

Your Turn: From Displacement to Design

Demis's story isn't unique anymore. 41% of employers aim to reduce their workforce due to AI automation by 2030. The question isn't whether AI will disrupt your career—it's whether you'll use that disruption to design something better.

The Vision to Matter framework provides the scaffolding:

1. Being Human: What's your natural leadership approach and personality?
2. Vision: What problem do you uniquely want to solve?
3. Ethos: What non-negotiable values guide your daily journey?
4. North Star: What's the concrete 3-year roadmap with specific milestones?
5. Ecosystem: Who are the key players who need to be part of your journey?
6. Products: What's your unique magic—the gift only you can bring?
7. Fund & Launch: What needs to be in place to take the first big step?
8. Legacy: What do you want to be known for when you look back?

The difference between existential crisis and transformational opportunity is a system. Small changes, consistently applied, compound into new careers, new purpose, new legacy.

Demis went from 47 rejected applications to a $175K consulting practice in 9 months. Not because he was special. Because he had a framework.

Ready to Build Your Vision to Matter System?

At Holistic Consulting Technologies, we guide Charlotte professionals and entrepreneurs through the complete Vision to Matter framework—from existential questions to sustainable business models.

We offer three engagement models:

• VTM Mini: 2-hour focused session to clarify your vision and next steps ($199 dedicated / $45 group)
• VTM Cohort: Two 2-hour sessions with integration week for deeper transformation ($999 dedicated / $99 group)
• VTM Journey: Full 8-week guided experience combining coaching and consulting for complete framework implementation

Based in Davidson, NC, we serve professionals throughout the Charlotte region navigating career transitions, AI displacement, and entrepreneurial launches.

Schedule Your Vision to Matter Session

Your layoff doesn't have to be the end of your story. It can be the beginning of a better one.