A Layoff Led Tiffany Tang to Bali and a New Business

Tang spent the following year navigating Southeast Asia on a shoestring budget, averaging between $1,300 and $2,300 monthly. Her expenses fluctuated wildly by region: while Cambodia offered hostel stays for $6 a night and affordable medical care—including seven stitches for just seven dollars after a motorcycle accident—Hong Kong mirrored the high cost of living found in New York City. By tracking her spending with corporate-level precision, she successfully extended her $14,000 in savings and severance to fund her transition into entrepreneurship.

This period of reflection catalyzed a shift in her career path. While traveling, Tang reconnected with her Cantonese heritage and observed women across Indonesia building local businesses. These experiences provided the blueprint for DrinkFolks, a brand dedicated to importing traditional Indonesian jamu tonics while directing 3% of sales back to women-led farms in the region. Since launching in October 2025, the company has expanded into over 70 stores, proving that the disruption of a layoff can serve as a viable launchpad for venture-building.