In a recent LinkedIn post, Gladys De Silva discusses reviving her dormant business after a restructuring returned her to the job market. This article reports on De Silva’s post and the steps she describes; it is not written by her. She says encouragement at networking events helped prompt the move, alongside a message she heard at a career event: create an opportunity when one is not available.
“If you don’t have an opportunity, create one”
Turning a dormant side hustle into a renewed venture
De Silva writes that she started her side hustle five years ago, then left its brand dormant after returning to full-time employment. With her job search underway, she has revived the company to offer recruitment, training and advisory services. In her account, the decision followed conversations at three networking events where people repeatedly asked why she did not start something of her own.
According to De Silva, a key catalyst was Find Work Fast 2.0: Singapore-Malaysia Edition, held on 24 October 2026 and organized by Asia Voices of Courage, with The AI Collective Kuala Lumpur as co-organizer. She recalls hearing the advice to create an opportunity and says she decided to put it into practice.
Building practical foundations
De Silva outlines several initial steps: setting up a virtual office, printing new business cards and refreshing the company website. She also says she is collaborating with The AI Collective Kuala Lumpur on event management for its upcoming events. Together, these moves show how she is positioning the revived venture while continuing to pursue employment.
“I don’t like sitting still and doing nothing!”
That line captures De Silva’s stated motivation. Her post presents the business relaunch as an active response to uncertainty, rather than a declaration that she has stopped looking for a job. She says she has applied for more than 100 roles over three months and has been shortlisted for interviews, but has not yet received an offer.
Keeping options open
De Silva addresses potential employers directly in her post, welcoming further interview invitations and acknowledging that year-end hiring decisions may take time. She also says she is open to contractual, project-based opportunities. The dual approach leaves room for both a return to employment and work through her company.
“Sometimes when one door closes, another one opens bigger and wider.”
As De Silva frames it, the restructuring has become a moment to reactivate an existing business and explore new work. Her post offers a personal account of that transition: a job search still in progress, paired with concrete steps to create a source of professional activity.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Gladys De Silva on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on November 5, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →