Scaling Expertise

What happens when an ending is really a beginning? After 120 episodes and three incredible years, I’ve been reflecting on the journey from Hourly to Exit to Scaling Expertise —and how this show has become a trusted resource for protecting and scaling expertise. In this final episode, I share my gratitude for you—the listeners, the amazing guests, and the broader community who embraced my mission o...

What happens when your brand outgrows you ? Negotiation expert Alex Carter joins Erin Austin to share how she evolved from a one-woman powerhouse to the Ask For More Group expanding her impact while protecting her intellectual property. From hitting the limits of her own time to realizing “me, me, me” isn’t sustainable, Alex opens up about the real decisions behind building a legacy brand. If you’...

What if your business could run and sell, all while you sleep? Systems expert Kronda Adair joins Erin to break down how service providers can stop leaking time and money by automating wisely. Learn why your email list is gold, how to keep your audience warm, and the real ROI of documenting your processes. Are you the bottleneck in your own business? Kronda Adair exposes how a lack of systems keeps...

"I was so excited to get the contract—I didn’t read the fine print." Sound familiar? In this episode, Patrice Davis, founder of Grants Works, shares the painful but powerful lesson she learned about intellectual property when a contract misstep led to a cease-and-desist letter and thousands of dollars in losses. Patrice opens up about how she built a scalable training offer from scratch, only to f...

In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I sit down with Jillian Dolberry, team and systems strategist and founder of Jillian Dolberry HQ, to talk about what it really takes to scale a business with integrity. Jillian shares why values are the compass for sustainable growth — and how mindset can either fuel or stifle your potential as a business owner. We get honest about the emotional toll of leade...

What are you willing to do to stop playing small? That’s the provocative question Gill Moakes asked herself—and it completely changed the trajectory of her coaching business. In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I welcome Gill to talk about what it really takes to grow a coaching practice into a business that makes real money and real impact—without selling your soul to the algorithm. Gill share...

What if your most valuable asset isn’t your time, but your unique way of thinking? In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I chat with business strategist and OG podcaster Jason Van Orden to talk about building a business that scales beyond your hours and your inbox. Jason has been turning ideas into scalable assets since launching his first podcast in 2005 (yes, really). Today, he helps consultant...

What if the biggest thing holding your business back… is you ? In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I sit down with Jill James, founder of The Jill James, a fractional COO firm that helps expert founders scale without burning out or staying stuck in operator mode. Jill built her firm by asking one powerful question: “How can I help people do the work they love without being buried in admin?” We...

What if scaling your consulting business wasn’t just about making more money—but about making it work for you ? In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I am joined by Jessica Fearnley , a business consultant and expert in sustainable growth strategies, to discuss the real challenges consultants face when scaling their businesses. Too often, we chase bigger revenue numbers, assuming that more client...

In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I sit down with business growth strategist Maiko Sakai to dive into the key strategies expert-preneurs need to scale their businesses sustainably. Maiko shares her insights on finding the right balance with delegation—avoiding both hesitation and premature delegation—while emphasizing the crucial role that intellectual property (IP) plays in creating a levera...

In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I am joined by Anjel B. Hartwell, a seasoned business development strategist, to uncover the secrets of sustainable growth through authentic sales and relationship-building. Anjel shares her journey from corporate sales to helping businesses scale through strategic partnerships and personalized outreach. We discuss how business development differs from tradit...

In this episode of Scaling Expertise , I sit down with business coach and consultant Liz Wolfe to dive into the mindset and strategies essential for scaling a business. Liz shares powerful insights on overcoming business roadblocks, understanding value and profit, and optimizing resources for sustainable growth. She also introduces her CEO Entrepreneur Leadership Style Quiz, a tool designed to hel...

Scaling a business isn’t just about growth—it’s about maximizing profit, optimizing systems, and positioning yourself as the go-to expert in your field. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cheryl Texeira, founder of the S.O.O Advantage, to discuss the strategies she uses to help businesses break through plateaus and reach the next level. Cheryl has a background in IT, project management, and m...

I had the pleasure of chatting with Melanie Herschorn, founder of Big Impact Books, about how professionals—especially attorneys—can use books to build their reputation, attract clients, and scale their businesses. Melanie has a background in journalism, PR, and entrepreneurship, and she now helps experts turn their knowledge into powerful, reputation-building books. We talked about how writing a...

Marketing strategist and author Veronica Romney joins me to discuss how entrepreneurs can scale their expertise while building a brand that truly connects with their audience. With 17 years in marketing—from corporate roles to consulting and speaking—Veronica has seen firsthand what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to scaling a business. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Power of Identity Marketing – Ve...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Celi Arias, an entrepreneur, business strategist, and creator of the Grown Ass Business Method. Celi has spent her life building, running, and fixing businesses—from launching her first venture as a kid to working as a COO in the startup world and coaching business owners to scale with confidence. She’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs avoid costly mis...

In this episode of Scaling Expertise, I’m sitting down with Suzanne Tulien, founder of Brand Ascension and a self-proclaimed "brand clarity expert." With a deep passion for helping professionals uncover and articulate their unique value, Suzanne shares how she empowers businesses and solopreneurs to harness the power of authentic branding to stand out and scale. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Bra...

This week I’m joined by Katie Nelson, founder and CEO of Sales Uprising. Katie is a sales expert who helps solopreneurs scale their businesses, break revenue ceilings, and build sustainable, community-driven growth. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Why Niching Matters: Katie explains how narrowing your focus boosts profitability and positions you as an expert. Scaling Smart: Learn Katie’s strategie...

I recently had the pleasure of hosting the inaugural episode of my rebranded podcast, Scaling Expertise,   with a remarkable guest, Jenn T. Grace, the passionate force behind Publish Your Purpose. We had an in-depth conversation about scaling her business, hybrid publishing, and the transformative power of AI. Here are three key takeaways from our chat: 🔑 Scaling Your Expertise Group Program...

I’m Erin Austin, an intellectual property lawyer passionate about helping experts like you turn your knowledge into scalable, recurring revenue. Scaling Expertise is the evolution of Hourly to Exit, and I’m thrilled to dive even deeper into building sustainable businesses rooted in expertise. In this first episode, I’ll cover: The mission behind Scaling Expertise—helping consultants, coaches, and...

I am thrilled to announce that the Hourly to Exit Podcast has reached its 100th episode! As I take a step back for the summer to revamp and rebrand, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. When the podcast returns in the fall, expect a fresh title and renewed focus on what matters most—protecting your expertise for scalable and profitable...

Enjoy this reminder about why copyright protection and contracts are key to growing legally, safely and profitably. 💡 Here are the 3 key takeaways: Copyrights are Essential : You cannot scale your expertise-based business without  copyright protection. To maximize the value of the materials that your clients actually pay for, such as your trainings, workshops, and custom deliverables, you ne...

Excited to share the latest episode of the Hourly to Exit podcast featuring our exceptional guest, Heidi Araya! 🚀 Heidi's transformative journey into the world of AI is nothing short of inspirational. With over 25 years of experience in leading enterprise transformations, Heidi recognized the limitations in her previous roles and pivoted to immerse herself in artificial intelligence. From taking...

Recently, I had the chance to weigh in on a fascinating LinkedIn post discussing whether using AI-generated content without giving credit constitutes plagiarism. As many of you know, my focus is on copyright infringement and protection, not plagiarism, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to clarify the differences between the two and share my perspective. 💡 Here are 3 key takeaways from...

No protection → No leverage.  I cannot overstate the importance that legal protection plays in scaling in your business. Recorded as a LinkedIn Live session, this episode is packed with essential insights for safely and profitably scaling your expertise-based businesses by owning and controlling intellectual property (IP). Three Key Takeaways: Legal Agreements for Growth: As you transition fr...