SEATTLE—
Washington Mutual Bank is the center of a big topic being discussed by Congress Friday. It could mean big changes in the country's finance laws since the Great Depression.Since WAMU's demise, thousands of workers were laid off and some continue to search for stable work.
Q13 FOX News spoke to a former WaMu employee who took a big chance after she was let go in January. Sherry Eckert went into business for herself as a yoga instructor. She says the move has helped her find an inner peace and a huge change from her high-stress life in high finance.
Eckert says, "It was like someone had punched you in the gut. Like, you've got to be kidding me. We knew that if JP Morgan Chase was successful in the takeover, that would be the end of Washington Mutual as we knew it."
Sherry says she couldn't even watch the news for months after her layoff. She says it was too stressful. Eckert didn't watch former WaMu CEO Kerry Killinger get grilled last week in Congress.
After practicing yoga for years, she's a full-time self-employed instructor, complete with a new DVD. She's joined a rising swell of laid-off workers starting their own businesses.
Reports show start-up activity jumped almost 70% last year compared to the year before.
Sherry says if you've been laid off, while it may be difficult, it's time to relax and face your situation with honesty. She says, "The biggest piece that has to happen is that you have to be able to talk about it. The more you can talk about it and let those fears out, the less they can stop you."
For more on Sherry's story, follow this link. If you're interested in starting a small business of your own, click here to learn more from the Small Business Administration.
