How I built a Portfolio Career without even realizing it
I remember that sunny day, when I was casually scrolling through LinkedIn, just starting to get frustrated with all the successful people, when I stumbled upon Anna Mackenzie's post. She was talking about what a portfolio career is, and as I read through it, it suddenly hit me:
Wait a minute… I’ve been doing exactly that.
You might be thinking, "Okay, Andi, great that you figured it out, but seriously, what the hell are you even talking about?"
5 positive aspects of a portfolio career
What is a portfolio career?
Portfolio career is what I thought was the worst thing in my whole life.
I grew up in a world where success meant going to university, finding a job, and sticking with it for 20-30 years. But my career? Yeah, it doesn’t look anything like that. And honestly, my parents still have no clue what I’m actually doing…
So, a portfolio career is basically having multiple part-time jobs or different income streams.
As Anna Mackenzie writes:
Portfolio careers are on the rise and to me this makes perfect sense, because they’re more reflective of the way humans are built. We’re multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, multi-passionate beings, so surely our work should be multi-dimensional, multi-faceted and speak to our multiple passions.
This whole "multi" thing is exactly why I've felt so many times that I wasn’t good enough—that I wasn’t building a “real” career like the ones we read about in all those books.
What does my portfolio career look like?
I got a taste of the joy of multiple income streams early on when I worked for a TV channel. I was an editor, but that alone didn’t satisfy my creative itch, so I started writing interviews and articles for online magazines on the side.
Then I hit pause and started working as a social media manager at agencies, but a few years later, that urge to do something different returned.
I started a blog, co-founded a fashion store, and took on some freelance gigs as a brand manager for small fashion brands.
These experiences shaped my career path, with more and more people recognizing me for one or two of them. Being known as an interior design blogger and social media manager led to a new role as the social media manager for a prominent interior design shop.
Magazines began interviewing me about entrepreneurship, running a shop, and the local designer market.
Fast forward a few years, and here’s a summary of my portfolio:
Founder. Blogger. Podcaster. Social Media Manager. Ghostwriter. Social Media Consultant. Mentor. Writer. Speaker. Personal Branding Coach. Course Creator. Digital Product Creator. Content Strategist.
If you’re curious about what I’m up to now, here’s a list:
I create content for clients on Instagram and TikTok.
I provide social media and personal brand coaching.
I do LinkedIn ghostwriting for clients.
I run a newsletter with paid subscribers.
I develop strategies for clients on Instagram and Substack.
I offer two courses.
I host a podcast channel.
I conduct local workshops.
And I’m planning a new way to generate more passive income.
(Note: As a bilingual entrepreneur, I’m juggling two businesses in two languages for two mostly different audiences.)
How has my personal brand helped me?
I’ve made several pivots over the past few years—sometimes shifting my main role, and other times changing the themes I write and talk about as a content creator.
I’ve been able to do this because I’ve built a personal brand that resonates with people, and my audience is willing to join me on this journey (Hey, Hungarian subscribers! 👋)
For example, someone recently asked me to write content for her business’s Instagram page, all because she used to be a reader of my blog where I rambled on about parenthood and sustainability. Two different topics, two different platforms, yet it all comes back to one person: me. This is the power of a personal brand.
So, here’s my advice to you
Build both a local and a global personal brand while you’re at it. Why settle for just one when you can have the best of both worlds? Your local brand will help you connect with your community, while your global brand will give you the freedom to reach audiences far and wide.
And let’s not forget about building a portfolio career.
The beauty of a portfolio career is that it allows you to explore all those passions that make you you. Plus, it acts as a safety net that can catapult you into unexpected opportunities.
So, go ahead and dip your toes in different waters—just remember to keep swimming! You’ll not only expand your horizons but also make your journey a whole lot more interesting. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
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