Why I Chose a Portfolio Career in Product - and What It's Taught Me

Back in 2019, I found myself at a crossroads. I had just come off a rollercoaster ride with a high-profile startup that raised over $200M... and still ended up going under. It was a tough ending. Not just because of the outcome, but because it made me pause and reflect on what I wanted next.

Joining a startup is a lot like dating. Sometimes it's a match. Other times, you realize you're not aligned on values, pace, or vision. And when it doesn't work out, it chips away at your confidence, making you a bit more cautious next time around.

After that experience, I didn't feel ready to jump into another full-time startup role. I wanted to keep helping early-stage companies, but in a way that gave me more distance, and more clarity. Consulting seemed like the answer.

Then came a twist.

A pre-seed fintech startup sought my expertise, initially as a consultant and later as an integral part of their team. However, their budget couldn't accommodate a full-time role. Without fully realizing it, I had stepped into a new model: Fractional Chief Product Officer. This was still a new concept in Europe at the time, but it made so much sense for both sides.

A few months later, Covid hit. And I found out I was pregnant with my second child. The flexibility of fractional work became more than a career choice, it became a lifeline during the pandemic.

Since then, I've worked across multiple formats: fractional, advisory, consulting, and interim leadership. All valuable in different ways. But Fractional Product Leadership has been the one that's felt the most aligned.

What Fractional Product Leadership Looks Like

In this role, I embed into leadership teams, not just as a consultant, but as a true partner. I help shape the product strategy, coach and grow the team, influence how decisions are made, and ensure execution stays grounded in business goals. Because I've done this before - at companies that scaled fast, got acquired, or IPO'd - I can help teams avoid common traps and move faster with clarity.

The scope is limited, but the impact is deep. And that's what I love about it.

How It's Different from Other Engagements

Interim roles are typically full-time and time-bound, often to fill a gap (like parental leave).

Consulting tends to focus on specific questions, like defining an MVP or starting a Product-led growth motion.

Advisory is more lightweight, often focused on founder coaching or strategic input.

Fractional leadership blends the best of all three: strategic involvement, team embedding, and founder partnership, without requiring full-time commitment from either side.

Why Founders Choose Fractional Product Leadership

• You get senior firepower without breaking the bank. You don't need to wait until Series B to bring in strategic product leadership. I've worked with Seed and Series A founders to lay strong foundations that last.

• You can test before you commit. Hiring a Head of Product is a big leap. Working with someone fractionally helps you figure out what kind of leader your company actually needs and when.

• You get your time back. With product leadership in good hands, you can focus on fundraising, hiring, and other high-leverage priorities.

Why It Works for Me

• It diversifies risk. I'm not betting everything on one startup's success. That gives me and my clients more objectivity and resilience.

• It's a constant learning loop. I get to see what works (and what doesn't) across industries, business models, and teams.

• It gives me freedom. I can shape my work around my life, not the other way around. As a mom of two, that flexibility is priceless.

But It's Not for Everyone

Here's the truth: you're not just leading product. You're also running a business. That means pitching yourself, managing contracts, staying visible, and nurturing your network. Business development isn't something most product leaders are trained in, but it's critical if you want to make this model sustainable.

Final Thoughts

What started as a way to protect my time and energy has become a core part of my identity as a leader. A Product portfolio career has allowed me to show up for early-stage founders in a way that's strategic, grounded, and human.

It's not just a role, it's a mindset. One built on trust, adaptability, and the belief that great products come from great partnerships.

If you're a founder wondering how to bring clarity to your product strategy - or just feeling the weight of doing it all alone - let's talk.