Cinneah El Amin, the 30-year-old founder of Flynanced, made a bold career move that challenges traditional narratives about entrepreneurship.
After nearly two years of running her personal finance and career coaching business full-time, she decided to return to a corporate job in search of stability and balance.
From Corporate Layoff to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
El Amin’s journey into full-time entrepreneurship began in 2023 when she was laid off from her tech job. Rather than immediately seeking another role, she embraced the opportunity to focus on Flynanced, a platform designed to empower working women with financial literacy and career advice.
Over the next year, she built a strong social media presence, secured brand deals with major companies like TD Bank and Intuit QuickBooks, and expanded her reach.
But by 2024, El Amin found herself grappling with burnout.
“I was always thinking about the next sale, the next brand deal,” she told CNBC’s Make It. “It felt like I was moving away from why I started this, which is to help women with their finances and career journeys.”
Returning to a 9-to-5: A Strategic Decision
Rather than viewing a return to corporate life as a setback, El Amin reframed it as a strategic pivot. A traditional job offered financial stability, structured routines, and benefits like health insurance—all of which she saw as forms of self-care.
Her job search, however, was not without challenges. Entering a competitive market, she faced months of uncertainty, applying to over 300 roles before landing a senior product manager position with the federal government in October 2024.
A key to her success? Using LinkedIn’s “I’m hiring” feature to connect directly with recruiters and hiring managers.
Balancing a Corporate Career and Entrepreneurship
Despite returning to a 9-to-5 role, El Amin remains dedicated to Flynanced, now operating it as a side hustle with about 10 hours of weekly commitment.
“I love being an entrepreneur,” she said. “I also love having options.”
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that success isn’t confined to a single path. Whether building a business full-time or balancing it with a corporate career, El Amin demonstrates that fulfillment and financial independence can take many forms.
