I got laid off and used my severance money to launch a startup. Here's why it felt like less of a gamble than pursuing an MBA.

Sam Perry, 40, was laid off in 2022.

Courtesy of Sam Perry

• Sam Perry thought an MBA was like a cheat code for success in the corporate world.
• When he got laid off, he decided to spend his money on launching a startup instead of an MBA.
• Perry said he thinks building and selling a company can be a big differentiator in a crowded job market.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sam Perry, 40, who is based in the UK. His employment and redundancy have been verified by Business Insider.