Reinventing careers: new paths when corporate jobs vanish
Reframing the Aftermath of Alberta’s Oil Layoffs
When a job ends, the first instinct is loss
Shawn Mahoney, co‑founder and CEO of Calgary‑based consulting firm Spare Parts & Gasoline, argues that the real gift in a layoff is the skills, experience and value that remain in a person even when the company badge disappears.
Identity – the hidden cost of a layoff
- “One of the hardest things is identity,” says Mahoney.
- People blur personal identity with the organization’s identity.
- Separating the two can be extremely painful after years of belief in the company’s culture.
From layoffs to community – the birth of Life After BigCo (LAB)
After Calgarians lost their jobs at a large oil and gas company two years ago, Spare Parts & Gasoline grew out of the community that emerged as a grassroots response. LAB offers
- Guidance to redefine personal competencies beyond the corporate badge.
- A platform for members to share knowledge and learn from each other’s stories.
- Opportunities to experiment before committing to a new career path.
Alberta’s economy – a shift from startups to resilience
As the province’s industries evolve, success hinges on launching new startups and building the confidence, skills and community required to navigate uncertainty. Mahoney believes that resilience is a social construct, not just policy or investment.
By helping people adapt confidently, the economy strengthens itself by connecting overlooked talent with emerging opportunities.
Watch the full interview below
b>Shawn Mahoney Leads Spare Parts & Gasoline Consulting
Shawn Mahoney serves as the co‑founder of Spare Parts & Gasoline, a boutique consulting firm that helps enterprises optimize their operational and fuel supply chains. Since its inception, the firm has developed a reputation for delivering data‑driven solutions that reduce waste and increase profitability.
Key Milestones
- Founded Spare Parts & Gasoline in 2022.
- Specialized in fuel logistics and spare‑part inventory management.
- Advised 15+ companies on streamlining supply processes.
Media Coverage
Shawn’s leadership and innovative consulting methods have been featured in several industry publications, including a recent highlight by Digital Journal where the firm’s photo was captured by Jennifer Friesen.
Future Direction
Looking ahead, Spare Parts & Gasoline plans to expand its consulting portfolio into renewable energy supply chains and digital transformation services, aiming to further enhance client operations.
BigCo’s layoffs lead to startup success
LAB’s Birth Was a Surprise, Not a Plan
When Mahoney and his colleagues watched mass layoffs hit the market, they realized the disconnect: corporate losses weren’t the end of an era—they were the springboard for a new venture wave.
From Layoff to Launch
- Layoffs weren’t just a corporate casualty—they opened a path for fresh startups.
- Individuals who had never seen themselves as entrepreneurs stepped into early‑stage teams, bringing a deep understanding of scale, structure, and process.
Success After the Shift
Mahoney recalls, “We learned that people who left larger companies were actually giving better success to startups.”
When his team communicated this to the broader community, an unexpected shift occurred.
“Instead of feeling discarded, they found themselves contributing to something vital in our community,” he says.
Redefining the Career Journey
The traditional model of a lifelong career at a single employer is fading across Canada.
- According to a Harris Poll, 56% of Canadian job seekers have switched careers at least once.
- 31% of Gen Zers and 28% of Millennials have changed careers multiple times.
Workers are more mobile, but the loss of the “herd” that large companies provide can shake a sense of identity and value.
Turning Exits into Fresh Starts
For Mahoney, the crucial step is helping people see the worth of their experience and what they may need to unlearn. This approach transforms exits into fresh starts.
Watch the full interview below
The value in unlearning BigCo ways
Adapting Big‑Company Wisdom to Tiny, Agile Teams
Spare Parts & Gasoline’s thought leader explores the tension between habits that serve large, structured corporations and the dynamic, lean mindset required in smaller firms. He observes that individuals transitioning from macroscopic organizations often overlook the strategic potential embedded in their experience with frameworks and systems.
Why Traditional Structures Matter
Large organizations invest heavily in well‑thought‑out systems—water supply, supply chains, standard operating procedures—that many employees take for granted. These assets become invaluable to startups and fast‑moving companies striving for scale.
When Skills Do Not Transfer
- Speed dominates in tiny teams; large firms’ slower cycles can feel sluggish.
- Flexibility requires constant low‑cost experimentation—an uncomfortable shift for people used to standard procedures.
- Unlearning becomes critical: “You have to unlearn,” Mahoney states.
Reframing Problem Solving for Creativity
Mahoney stresses that in a five‑person company, the pace is far quicker than in a 5,000‑person enterprise. The solution lies in redefining problem‑tackling approaches, encouraging creative alternatives instead of defaulting to legacy methods.
“There are many ways to solve these problems,” he says, highlighting the diverse strategies possible in smaller, agile teams.
Finding your people when familiar ground is gone
LAB: A New Collective Mindset
What LAB Is Not
Rather than a service or a network, LAB is a shared belief that seasoned experts can still collaborate to create fresh innovation.
How It Shapes Confidence
- From informal meetups to peer support, the community demonstrates that you are not alone, even when a steady paycheque is no longer guaranteed.
- When participants lean into community work, they lift all boats – a rising tide raises them all.
Key Insights from Mahoney
Mahoney says that community work is vital because it expands options, resilience, and perspectives, benefiting both large enterprises and startups.
Canada’s Adaptable Advantage
As AI drives disruption, Canada’s real advantage lies in its people’s adaptability. Mahoney frames the struggle not as clinging to old identities but as building new ones together.
Resilience in Unrelenting Change
“We are in unrelenting change,” Mahoney asserts. “Our job is to master change and resilience, fighting not for combat but for our place.”
