When I look back on my own career shifts, there were so many moments where I felt like I was “supposed” to keep climbing the ladder, even when my body and heart were saying otherwise. 

That’s why this week’s conversation on Business Origin Stories with Michelle Pecak struck such a chord with me. She knows what it feels like to be in the corporate grind, to show up in boardrooms with billion-dollar stakes, and to realize that the “dream job” wasn’t her dream after all.

Michelle’s story is one of transition, resilience, and creating something new in the space where joy and work collide.

From Corporate Boardrooms to a Different Kind of Success

Michelle built her career inside some of the biggest companies in the world. She held a seat at tables many of us might aspire to, and yet, when she looked around, she realized she wasn’t thriving. Corporate culture often demanded endless output with little space for creativity or humanity.

Walking away from that world wasn’t easy. It meant dismantling an identity she’d worked years to build. But it also opened the door for something better: work that felt more aligned with who she is, and a business that let her prioritize health, motherhood, and her own well-being.

Her leap reminded me that sometimes success isn’t about reaching the top, but redefining what “the top” even means. 

The Balance of a Day Job and a Joy Job

One of the frameworks Michelle shared that I can’t stop thinking about is her idea of having both a day job and a joy job.

Here’s how she breaks it down:

1. The Day Job – Provides stability, income, and structure. It may not light you up, but it can serve as a foundation while you’re exploring something new.

2. The Joy Job – The work or creative outlet that brings you energy and excitement. It might not be profitable yet, but it feeds your soul.

3. The Safety Net – Keeping both roles for a time creates a dual path, so you don’t have to risk everything at once.

4. The Transition Point – Over time, your joy job can grow into something sustainable. And when the moment is right, you can step fully into it.

This perspective was refreshing. So often, we hear stories about “burn the boats” and “quit your job tomorrow.” Michelle’s approach offers a gentler, more realistic path for those of us who want to build with both courage and care. 

Boundaries as a Business Strategy

As Michelle built her own business, she learned that boundaries aren’t just about protecting your time, they’re about protecting your energy, too.

She talked about the ways she structures her work to avoid burnout, especially as a single mom and entrepreneur. That includes saying no to clients who aren’t a fit, creating containers for deep work, and giving herself permission to rest without guilt.

It’s a reminder that resilience isn’t only about pushing through challenges. Sometimes it’s about honoring our limits and creating businesses that support our actual lives, not the other way around.

Community and the Power
of ‘My Vibe’

Eventually, Michelle channeled her energy into creating My Vibe, a community designed for people who want both connection and growth. Inside, members find not only networking opportunities but also a safe place to share ideas, talk about challenges, and celebrate wins together.

What stood out to me was how much reciprocity is baked into her model. Instead of extractive networking, it’s about giving and receiving support in equal measure. That kind of environment can change everything for an entrepreneur who might otherwise feel alone in the work.

Michelle’s story is one of courage, reinvention, and building something new with integrity. If you’ve ever felt the tug between “success” as the world defines it and success as you feel it deep down, this conversation will inspire you to choose yourself and maybe even take the first step toward your own joy job.

🎧 You can listen to the full episode with Michelle now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.