From Burnout to Breakthrough: A Career Reinvention
In late 2019, Singapore-native Rachael De Foe made a bold career move that many contemplate but few execute: she resigned from her nine-to-five public relations job without a backup plan. After years navigating the relentless client-team growth cycle in agency environments, De Foe faced repeated burnout and recognized she did not aspire to follow the traditional corporate path.
“Every single business was chasing what I now like to call the ‘agency monster’ … You have too many clients, so you need [a bigger] team. You have too many team [members], so you need more clients. There’s never equilibrium,” De Foe explained. “I had burned out more than once.”
Her decision to quit at the end of 2019 marked the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey that would ultimately triple her income and transform her professional outlook.
Navigating Uncertainty Amid a Global Crisis
Initially intending to take a break over the holidays and seek new employment, De Foe quickly realized that traditional roles did not appeal to her. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, intensifying job market challenges, especially in PR and HR sectors.
“I was really scared at that point because PR and HR were among the first functions to be cut during the downturn,” she said. “I wondered, ‘What am I going to do?'”
However, the pandemic also created a unique opportunity. Companies downsizing their internal teams and ending agency contracts sought leaner, more flexible communications solutions, prompting founders and venture capitalists to reach out to De Foe for help managing reputation issues.
Embracing the Fractional Work Model
De Foe incorporated her own company, Redefy, in 2020 and embraced the role of a fractional head of communications. Unlike freelancers who execute specific tasks, fractional professionals act as part-time executives embedded in companies, driving strategy while serving multiple clients.
“As a fractional head of communications, I’m fully responsible for the communications function but work part-time across several companies,” De Foe said. “I answer to three CEOs but am my own CEO at the same time.”
This model provides De Foe with the autonomy to select clients and projects, breaking free from the cycle of burnout that characterized her agency days.
Significant Financial Upside
Transitioning to fractional work has resulted in a dramatic income increase for De Foe. She went from earning approximately 72,000 Singapore dollars (about $56,000) annually in her traditional role to generating around $220,000 per year as a fractional executive. Over the past five years, her cumulative earnings have surpassed 1.4 million Singapore dollars (roughly $1.1 million), according to verified documents.
A Growing Trend Among Senior Professionals
De Foe observes an increasing shift toward fractional roles among senior executives who seek greater flexibility and control over their careers.
“People who used to be seniors at companies I’ve worked for have started going the fractional route,” she noted. “In service-based businesses, you are the service — your experience and seniority are enough to start on your own.”
Impact on Career and Lifestyle
The fractional work model has empowered De Foe to reclaim her work-life balance, gain financial independence, and pursue meaningful projects on her terms. “I’m never going back to one boss,” she affirmed. “I’m a lot happier and more fulfilled. Most importantly, I can give myself permission to chase what I want.”
FinOracleAI — Market View
The rise of fractional work reflects a broader shift in the labor market toward flexible, expert-driven models that benefit both professionals and companies. Senior talent increasingly values autonomy and diversified income streams, while businesses seek cost-effective leadership solutions amid economic uncertainty.
- Opportunities: Fractional roles enable experienced professionals to monetize expertise across multiple clients, reducing burnout and increasing earnings.
- Risks: Dependence on multiple clients may create income variability and require strong self-management skills.
- Companies benefit from scalable leadership without the fixed costs of full-time hires.
- This model is particularly suited for service-based sectors where individual expertise drives value.
Impact: Fractional work is a disruptive career model that offers significant financial and lifestyle benefits, signaling a lasting transformation in professional services employment.
