Getting fired from a job is never an easy experience—it’s something nobody should have to go through. However, job layoffs are a harsh reality that can happen to anyone, anytime. Here at The Friday Company, we believe in taking control of your career and quitting on your own terms. But, sometimes, life takes unexpected turns.
Today, we’re sharing a case study that highlights an innovative solution to an unfortunate situation.
Meet Roger Lee: The Founder of Layoffs.fyi
In March 2020, Roger Lee was on leave from his job to support his pregnant wife. With extra time on his hands, Roger began noticing discrepancies in the news reports about layoffs. One outlet would claim a company laid off 100 people, while another would report that the same company laid off 500 or more. The lack of consistent, reliable data sparked an idea.
Roger decided to take matters into his own hands.
He created a simple three-page website, Layoffs.fyi, where he would update the latest data on layoffs as he found it. At first, the site was just a side project with no marketing effort. But as layoffs increased during the pandemic, more and more people started visiting his website.
Soon, without any promotion, Layoffs.fyi became a hit—attracting over 1 million visits per month.
A Popular Website with No Revenue
Despite the traffic, Roger wasn’t making any money from his website. There were no ads, and he hadn’t figured out how to monetize his growing audience. But with so much attention, he knew there was potential.
That’s when he had another idea.
Introducing Comprehensive.io: Monetizing Layoffs Data
Roger recognized that the people visiting his site were likely job seekers who had recently been laid off. And what do job seekers need most during interviews? Salary data.
He launched Comprehensive.io, a business that tracks company salaries so job seekers know how much to ask for during negotiations. After all, no one wants to settle for $50,000 a year when the company typically pays $90,000 for the same role.
It was a perfect match. The people visiting Layoffs.fyi needed salary data, and Roger was ready to provide it. This strategic move allowed him to start making money almost immediately.
The Dual Nature of Success
Roger’s journey offers a valuable lesson in business. Often, a great idea alone might not generate revenue. You may need to build additional services or products on top of your idea to turn it into a profitable venture.
We see this happen frequently with creators. They capture attention with engaging content, and then they monetize that attention by offering complementary products or services. The formula is simple:
- Do something to get attention.
- Understand who is giving you their attention.
- Create products or services that meet their needs.
The Power of Data and Simple Websites
Roger’s success also demonstrates the power of data and simplicity. Layoffs.fyi isn’t valuable because it has hundreds of pages of content. It’s valuable because it offers data that is crucial to a specific audience.
Data-driven businesses can be highly effective. They’re easy to source, easy to curate, and unlike emotional content, data is neutral. It provides clarity in a world filled with noise.
Final Thoughts
This week, take a moment to brainstorm. Is there a business opportunity where you can leverage data—either as your primary business or as a tool to capture attention? Roger Lee’s story proves that even a simple website can turn into a successful venture with the right approach.