We’ve all heard the layoff horror stories: solid careers crumbling overnight, savings draining, dreams shattered.Just like the recent Oracle layoffs that chucked out 30,000 people, wrecking havoc in people’s lives.But what if that pink slip was a plot twist, not the end? Entrepreneurs rising from ashes prove layoffs can also help ignite wild reinvention. Similarly, a guy’s journey from corporate burnout to booming business shows how a setback can become your secret sauce.
Photo: @eatnishaan/ Instagram
Meet Zeeshan Bakhrani- the man who made a powerful comeback after 2 layoffs
Zeeshan Bakhrani, a Pakistani-American, faced two layoffs in New York City’s cutthroat product management scene. The 34-year-old Chicago native then poured his savings into his own venture.Bakhrani spent nearly a decade in high-stakes tech roles, endless meetings, pivoting priorities, until August 2025’s second ax fell. “I was done with the 9-to-5 grind,” he reflected, opting for a $70,000 (roughly Rs 65 lakh) personal investment over job hunting.His venture Nishaan, a Manhattan eatery fuses his Pakistani roots with American dishes. And now, it’s raking in $140,000 (about Rs 1.3 crore) a month, as detailed in a CNBC report.
What is his inspiration behind Nishaan?
Bakhrani grew up in a Pakistani-American family in Chicago, where his food preferences naturally blended the flavors of two cultures. His mom loved adding South Asian spices to everyday American dishes, and that family flair now shapes Nishaan’s menu.In a video posted on social media, he asked people to forget typical fast food. Instead, Bakhrani serves what he calls “Pakistani-American street food,” featuring dishes like Bihari-style barbacoa tacos, Pakistani chopped cheese, and buffalo tandoori chicken sandwiches. These are inspired by his home experiments – like swapping tortillas for parathas or loading burgers with spicy chutneys.
He invests the same amount of time from corporate into his venture
Bakhrani now pulls 14-hour shifts in the kitchen, but he insists it’s a fair swap. He loves how the food world delivers quick wins compared to his old tech jobs. “Here, I come up with an idea, I can knock it out in a week,” he shared, pointing out the kitchen’s fast pace versus tech’s endless red tape.His story has inspired thousands online, hitting home for folks facing shaky job markets. Bakhrani shows that a layoff isn’t always the end – sometimes, it’s the flavorful kickoff to a fresh adventure.