A Toronto woman who earned $112,000 annually as a senior manager at a marketing consultancy was laid off in September 2025, prompting a reevaluation of her career and financial priorities. Evelyn Irwanto, 32, had built her income from entry-level roles in nutrition and hospitality to her pre-layoff salary over eight years. Her experience highlights the volatility of high-paying jobs and the economic realities faced by workers in precarious industries.
Layoff ends $112K career after rapid income growth
Irwanto’s layoff in September 2025 abruptly ended her tenure at a Toronto-based marketing and branding consultancy, where she earned CA$155,000 (approximately $112,000 USD). The company confirmed the layoff to Business Insider, which verified her employment and income history through documentation. The termination followed a period of financial stability, during which she had transitioned from low-wage jobs to a six-figure salary.
Early career began at $11–$14 per hour
Irwanto’s professional journey began in August 2017 after graduating with a degree in nutrition and food. Her first role was as a nutrition associate, earning CA$14 per hour (approximately $10.50 USD). To supplement her income, she worked as a server, earning CA$11 per hour plus tips (approximately $8 USD plus tips). The dual roles required her to work 8-to-4 shifts at the nutrition job followed by double shifts in hospitality, a schedule she described as “fun” despite its intensity.
She held both positions for 10 months, from August 2017 through May 2018, before leaving to pursue other opportunities. During this time, she also took a “Eat, Pray, Love” break—a period of travel and self-reflection—though financial constraints limited the duration of this break.
Career pivot led to marketing and eventual senior role
After her initial roles, Irwanto transitioned into marketing, leveraging her background in branding and consumer behavior. She did not disclose the specific companies she worked for during this period, but her career trajectory culminated in her senior management position, where she managed client accounts and strategic initiatives. Her layoff in 2025 marked a sudden reversal of her financial progress.
Reflections on success and financial security
Irwanto’s layoff prompted a reconsideration of her definition of success and financial security. In a first-person account published by Business Insider, she reflected on her parents’ initial disapproval of her career choices—pushing her toward more traditional fields like business, medicine, or law. She described her early career in nutrition as a form of rebellion against their expectations, though she later pivoted into marketing, a field aligned with conventional career paths.
Her story underscores the fragility of high incomes in industries subject to economic downturns, automation, or corporate restructuring. It also highlights the economic trade-offs faced by workers who transition between industries, particularly those who start in low-wage roles before advancing to higher-paying positions.
Broader implications for career mobility
Irwanto’s experience is not unique in Toronto’s labor market, where income volatility and career pivots are increasingly common. The city’s service and marketing sectors have seen fluctuations in demand, particularly post-pandemic, with layoffs affecting professionals across industries. Her case illustrates the gap between perceived stability in high-paying jobs and the reality of job insecurity, even for experienced workers.
While Irwanto has not publicly detailed her plans following the layoff, her reflections suggest a potential shift in priorities—whether toward entrepreneurship, further education, or a return to lower-paying but more fulfilling roles. Her story serves as a case study in the challenges of career transitions and the psychological impact of financial instability on professionals.