From Portfolio Career to Full-Time and Back Again: Crystal's Evolved Perspective
When Crystal Willms was first featured in 2016, she was an extraordinary portfolio careerist – juggling coaching, public speaking, Juice Plus, Reiki, modelling, and more with what seemed like effortless adaptability. Her mantra was "change feels natural", and she described her career like the ocean, ebbing and flowing with each new opportunity.
Nine years later, Crystal's perspective has evolved in ways that offer valuable insights for anyone considering or currently managing a portfolio career. Her journey from thriving portfolio entrepreneur to full-time employee – and now potentially back again – reveals some hard-won truths about sustainability that weren't apparent in those early, exciting days of building multiple income streams.
The Bold Move and Reality Check
In 2017, Crystal made a significant life change, leaving her thriving Calgary-based portfolio career to return to Saskatchewan. "I walked away from my most lucrative stream of income," she explains. This bold move, while initially challenging, was a testament to Crystal's resilience and adaptability. What followed was an eye-opening lesson about geographic markets. "I discovered the demand for these services in Alberta wasn't nearly as high in Saskatchewan due to such a change in population, demographics and culture."
This experience highlighted something many portfolio careerists learn the hard way: success in one market doesn't automatically translate to another. Crystal had to completely rebuild her network and adapt her services to a new demographic reality.
The COVID Pivot: When Stability Trumps Freedom
Perhaps the most surprising turn in Crystal's journey came during COVID. After 13 years of solopreneurship, she accepted a full-time leadership position with a large health insurance company. "My income streams were still flowing during this time, but it was getting a bit uncomfortable," she admits. "Considering the future was highly unknown and I had an opportunity to remove the risk of significant income loss, I took the plunge."
This wasn't a failure – it was strategic risk management. Crystal recognized that sometimes the smartest business move for a portfolio careerist is to step back into traditional employment when circumstances warrant it.
The Sustainability Revelation
The most profound insight from Crystal's evolved perspective centers on sustainability. "I was always really excited and proud to be independent and paid no mind to what days or hours I was working," she reflects. "I didn't realize this wasn't sustainable for me – not only from an energy perspective, but from a values perspective as well. My values changed."
This is a significant departure from her earlier ocean metaphor. While adaptability remains important, Crystal has learned that true freedom requires structure, not the absence of it.
Structure Creates Freedom: The Boundary Paradox
Five years into full-time employment, Crystal has discovered what she calls the boundary paradox: "I've learned that for me, structure, strong boundaries and discipline are required for a true feeling of freedom and flexibility."
She's become intentional about communicating clear expectations. "Ensuring that people know exactly when I'm working and when they will receive a response from me, thanks to communicating clear boundaries, I have the freedom to manage my personal life and other income streams without fear of interference."
This is a far cry from the "work whenever you want" freedom that portfolio careers are often marketed as offering. Crystal's experience suggests that boundaries aren't limitations – they're the foundation that makes sustainable portfolio work possible.
The Return: Coming Full Circle with Wisdom
Now, five years into traditional employment, Crystal is experiencing something interesting: "My biggest surprise this year is coming to the realization I miss working hands-on with people. I miss the experience of the direct, face-to-face impact of my previous coaching and energy work."
She's considering adding another income stream, but this time with the wisdom of experience. "What I know is this work energizes me and positively impacts my mental health, so I'm not at risk of burnout if I go about this wisely."
The key phrase there is "if I go about this wisely." This isn't the same Crystal who dove headfirst into every opportunity. This is someone who understands that sustainable portfolio careers require intention, boundaries, and strategic thinking.
Looking Forward
As Crystal considers her next move, she's approaching it with the wisdom that only comes from experience. She knows that any new income stream must fit within the boundaries she has established and support, rather than compromise, her overall well-being.
Her journey from portfolio career enthusiast to full-time employee and potentially back again isn't a story of indecision – it's a masterclass in strategic career management. It reminds us that the most successful portfolio careerists aren't just adaptable; they're intentional about when, how, and why they adapt.
For those currently building or considering a portfolio career, Crystal's evolved perspective offers this valuable reminder: the goal isn't to juggle as many things as possible, but to create a sustainable mix of work that aligns with your values, supports your wellbeing, and adapts thoughtfully to life's changes.
Sometimes the most adventurous thing you can do is set boundaries. Sometimes the most significant risk is staying too comfortable. And sometimes, the path forward means temporarily stepping back. Crystal's journey shows us that all of these can be part of a successful portfolio career story.
