A former senior technical product manager at Amazon has transitioned from a high-pressure tech role to launching a full-time wellness-travel business after being laid off in October 2025.
Rania Zheng, 34, of Bellevue, Washington, spent nearly six years at Amazon before her separation from the company took effect in January 2026. She now operates a business offering curated wellness-focused trips in China, building on a side project she had pursued while employed at Amazon.
Layoffs and career pivot
Zheng was among thousands of tech workers affected by layoffs in 2025, a period marked by widespread workforce reductions across the industry. She described her departure as unexpected but not personal, noting that she did not feel targeted or that her performance was a factor in the decision. The transition period between her layoff announcement and official departure provided her with time to reassess her professional path.
After joining Amazon in 2020 as a business intelligence engineer, Zheng was promoted to senior engineer within a year. In 2022, she transitioned into a senior product manager role following product management coursework at the University of Washington. She characterized her experience at Amazon as positive, highlighting opportunities for growth and challenge.
Balancing work and personal well-being
While Zheng valued her work at Amazon, she described challenges in balancing professional demands with personal responsibilities, including caregiving for her family. She noted that workplace culture often emphasized productivity over relaxation, making it difficult to prioritize self-care despite external encouragement to do so.
The decision to pursue entrepreneurship came after Zheng dedicated time to developing her wellness-travel venture during her tenure at Amazon. The layoff accelerated her commitment to turning the side project into a full-time endeavor. Her business now focuses on curated trips in China, structured around wellness themes such as mindfulness, physical activity, and cultural exploration.
Industry context and personal reflection
Zheng’s story reflects broader trends in the tech sector, where layoffs have become common amid shifting economic conditions and corporate restructuring. Her experience also underscores the challenges faced by working parents, particularly women, in managing professional expectations with personal well-being. By leveraging her skills and interests into a new venture, she has redefined her career trajectory outside traditional employment structures.