From Hustle to Ease: Maureen McCann's Evolved Portfolio Career Journey

A few years ago, Purposeful Careers covered the story of Maureen McCann, the Victoria-based entrepreneur who built a thriving portfolio career around her career consulting business, vacation rental property, and smart real estate investments. Her mantra of "run the numbers" and fearless approach to career design inspired many readers who were contemplating their non-traditional work paths.

Recently, I caught up with Maureen to see how her portfolio career has evolved, and what I discovered was a beautiful illustration of how our relationship with work can mature and deepen over time. Her journey from "hustle" to "ease" offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the changing landscape of modern careers.

The Art of Reinvention

"Flexibility now looks like designing my weeks around energy, not just effort," Maureen tells me, and this wisdom speaks to years of experience. "It's a more seasoned approach to productivity, and it's working."

This shift didn't happen overnight. After eight years of facilitating and instructing at Career Professionals of Canada, a role that had been a steady revenue stream for her growing practice, Maureen decided to step away. But rather than seeing this as a loss, she viewed it as an opportunity for something she'd been wanting to pursue: completing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training over the winter. This adaptability in her career path is a testament to the power of choice and the potential for growth in non-traditional work paths.

"Part of a solid retirement plan is continuing to live a fulfilling life," she explains. "For me, that means movement, mindfulness, community and ongoing contributions to society." This philosophy represents a fundamental shift in how she approaches her portfolio career from purely financial optimization to a more holistic integration of purpose and well-being. It's a validation of the importance of well-being in career development, reassuring readers that it's not just about the numbers, but about living a fulfilling life.

The Evolution of Balance

The cottage that once served as a bustling vacation rental has taken on a different role in Maureen's life. "We stopped renting the cottage a few summers ago, in favour of spending time there together as a family," she shares. With her husband's retirement approaching, their priorities have shifted from the relentless pace of "save, save, save" to finding more ease and quality of life.

This transition illustrates something profound about portfolio careers that often gets overlooked: they're not static. They evolve as we do. "The 'hustle' slowed as we turned our attention to supporting our kids to get their first jobs, increased independence, and begin post-secondary life," Maureen reflects. "Our balance shifted from work-focused to life-focused." This balance serves as a beacon of hope for those navigating non-traditional work paths, demonstrating that it's possible to find equilibrium in a dynamic career.

But this doesn't mean stepping back from growth or ambition. Instead, it represents a more mature understanding of what success looks like. Their earlier investments continue to provide income streams, demonstrating the long-term value of the financial discipline she practiced in her younger years.

When Life Redirects Your Path

The pandemic brought unexpected challenges that further shaped Maureen's perspective. Her mother's cancer diagnosis at the beginning of the pandemic and subsequent death in June 2021 served as a stark reminder of life's fragility. "It taught me how quickly loved ones can be taken from us and helped me regain perspective," she says.

This experience led to what she calls a shift in priorities. "I've made it a priority to say 'yes' to work that aligns deeply with my values and 'no' to anything that compromises my well-being or time with loved ones." It's a powerful reminder that portfolio careers aren't just about diversifying income. They're about creating the flexibility to respond to life's unexpected turns with grace and intention.

The New Chapter: Blending Wellness with Career Development

Maureen's latest evolution represents an exciting fusion of her career expertise with her newfound passion for wellness. "This next chapter blends somatic work with strategic career development; a combination that's resonating strongly with the 50+ crowd navigating legacy, leadership and lifestyle decisions."

She's exploring ideas for classes, retreats, and workshops, with particular interest in a retreat format that pairs career development with yoga over a weekend. It's an innovative approach that recognizes something many career professionals have long understood: our relationship with work is deeply connected to our overall well-being.

Embracing the Non-Linear Career Path

When I ask Maureen what advice she'd give to someone starting their portfolio career journey today, her response reflects the changing nature of work itself. "Get creative. Once you come up with a good idea, implement it. Test it. Track it and adapt it. Don't let the fact that it's not a 'regular' job fool you."

She points to the rise of influencers making millions of dollars, a profession that was virtually unheard of a decade ago. "Today's world of work isn't linear. A portfolio career gives you optionality and ownership. It's not a backup plan, it's an intentional choice to prioritize quality of life over traditional work."

This perspective is particularly relevant as we navigate an era of rapid technological change. While Maureen is exploring AI-assisted tools for behind-the-scenes tasks, such as client onboarding, she's clear about her priorities: "The work we do prioritizes human connection, so that will always be paramount."

Looking Forward: Retirement as Reinvention

As Maureen looks toward the future, her vision of retirement challenges conventional thinking. "I'm exploring ways to scale my impact. It might be group workshops, yoga-infused retreats, or coaching other career professionals on building sustainable practices. Retirement, for me, looks a lot like reinvention."

This approach embodies the true spirit of a portfolio career because it's not about reaching a finish line, but about continually evolving and finding new ways to contribute while maintaining the flexibility to live according to your values.

The Wisdom of Experience

Maureen's journey from her early days of "running the numbers" to her current philosophy of designing weeks around energy rather than just effort offers a roadmap for sustainable career satisfaction. Her story reminds us that portfolio careers aren't just about the hustle, instead they're about creating a framework for a life well-lived.

"We have to first work for ourselves by being wise with our money," she told Purposeful Careers years ago, and that wisdom still holds. But now she's added another layer: we also have to work for ourselves by being wise with our energy, our time, and our priorities.

In a world where traditional career paths are becoming increasingly obsolete, Maureen's evolution from entrepreneur to wellness-integrated career strategist demonstrates that the most successful portfolio careers are those that evolve and adapt with us. They're not just about having multiple income streams, instead they're about having numerous ways to find meaning, contribute to others, and create a life that aligns with our most deeply held values.

As she puts it simply: "A portfolio career gives you optionality and ownership." And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can own is the freedom to evolve.