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 of helping experts protect their IP and grow with intention.

But this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited to share what’s next: long-form content, in-person workshops, and deeper conversations about what it means to be an ethical expert in an AI-saturated world.

Key Takeaways

• Erin closes Scaling Expertise after 120 episodes and 3+ years of conversations on scaling and protecting expertise.
• Gratitude for listeners, guests, and the community who engaged deeply with IP, growth, and the future of work.
• Why podcasting has been both humbling and transformative, stretching her thinking and expanding her network.
• The decision to pivot toward long-form content, workshops, and in-person interactions for deeper, real-time exchange.
• A shift from “tips and tricks” toward tackling complex questions especially around AI and ethics.
• Exploring what it means to serve clients responsibly in an AI-saturated world.
• Balancing legal concerns (copyright, contracts, confidentiality) with broader ethical obligations and client trust.
• An invitation to join Erin in the next chapter: building a community committed to using AI with conscience and integrity.

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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’re still winging it with your contracts or ignoring your IP, Alex’s insights and cautionary tales will have you rethinking how you safeguard your business for long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• From Personal Brand to Group Impact — Alex shares how she moved beyond a solo practice to build the Ask For More Group, expanding her impact while protecting her name and legacy.
• The “Me, Me, Me” Branding Trap — Learn why sticking to a personality-driven brand can limit your reach and why it’s crucial to shift to a scalable business model.
• Think Like a Scientist — Alex explains how adopting a testing mindset helped her experiment with new formats and offerings without fear of failure.
• When Capacity Hits a Wall — Hear the moment Alex realized she couldn’t deliver more without a team and systems to multiply her expertise.
• The Hidden IP Clause That Hurts — Erin and Alex unpack how seemingly small contract clauses — like recording or licensing rights — can cost you control of your work.
•  AI & Protecting Your Voice — They discuss the rising threat of AI cloning your content and what steps you need to take now to safeguard your voice and likeness.
• Lessons Even Lawyers Learn the Hard Way — Despite being a negotiation expert and lawyer, Alex admits the missteps she made early on with her IP and contracts.
• Scaling with Integrity — Together, they highlight how to grow your impact without sacrificing your values, your sanity, or the unique value you bring to your clients.

More About Our Guest:

Alexandra Carter is the Everett B. Birch Innovative Teaching Clinical Professor of Law at Columbia Law School. She is a world-renowned negotiation trainer for the United Nations, Fortune 500 companies, civil rights agencies, and more. In 2019, Professor Carter was awarded the Columbia University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching, Columbia’s highest teaching honor. Her first book, Ask for More: Ten Questions to Negotiate Anything, was published by Simon & Schuster in May 2020 and became an instant Wall Street Journal Business bestseller. Professor Carter is a frequent media commentator on negotiation and pay equity for women, with appearances on Good Morning America, MSNBC’s Morning Joe and MSNBC Live, Hardball with Chris Matthews, the CBS Early Show, and NPR Marketplace. Professor Carter’s TEDx talk, entitled “How to ask for more – and get it,” was released in July 2024, designated as an Editor’s Pick and then promoted to TED.com, where it has been watched by more than a million people worldwide.

Connect with Alex Carter:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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 you stuck and overwhelmed. Erin and Kronda share practical steps to build automations that serve your clients (and your sanity). It’s time to work less and profit more.

Feeling like you’re reinventing the wheel every client project? Kronda Adair says: never again! Discover her proven frameworks to create repeatable success, nurture leads automatically, and finally escape the burnout hamster wheel. If you want to scale sustainably, you can’t miss this one.

Key Takeaways:

• Systems That Set You Free – Kronda explains how documenting repeatable processes stops you from reinventing the wheel every time.
• Your Email List is Your Lifeline – Why building and nurturing an email list gives you control over your audience, unlike social media.
• Goodbye Bottleneck, Hello Growth – Tips to stop being the single point of failure in your business operations.
• Authentic Automation – How automations can feel personal and build relationships rather than alienate clients.
• Productize Your Genius – Why turning custom services into repeatable offers protects your time and IP.
• Owned vs. Rented Audience – Erin and Kronda break down the dangers of relying only on social platforms for leads.
• Small Tweaks, Big Impact – Easy steps to get started with automations that keep your pipeline warm year-round.
• Protect What You’ve Built – Erin shares how contracts and licensing work alongside systems to keep your business scalable and protected.

More About Our Guest:

Kronda Adair is a Black lesbian dog mom who wants more Black women to rest and let the robots handle their repetitive tasks.  Through her Million Dollar Systems retainer and her Automation Club Membership, she uses her knowledge and skills gained as a web developer, content marketing coach, automation service provider, and tech strategist to help overworked business owners stop buying technology and start hiring technology to build a software team that supports their business.  When she’s not working, she can be found enjoying time at home with her wife, and cat, hiking or doing dog sports with her two Vizsla's,  reading, cooking delicious food, or enjoying the postcard vistas of the state of Oregon.

Connect with Kronda Adair:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• TikTok

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

"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 find out she didn’t legally own the product she created. Erin walks through exactly what went wrong—and how you can avoid making the same mistake with your high-value content.

This candid conversation is packed with practical insights on contractor agreements, NDAs, and how to protect your IP before you scale. Plus, Patrice shares how she turned things around—and the licensing play she’s launching now that could be her most impactful move yet.

Key Takeaways:

• The Mistake That Sparked a Cease & Desist - Patrice shares how one contract oversight with a client led to losing access to the training materials she created.
• The Cost of Vague Deliverables - Erin explains how unclear contract terms around “deliverables” can lead to clients assuming full IP ownership even when they shouldn't.
• Free to Paid: Building the Grants Works Academy - From webinars to a scalable online academy, Patrice reveals how she productized her consulting services with intention.
• Protecting Your IP from Client Hires - Patrice details how she shields her business from contractors or employees assigned by clients to “help” and potentially steal her systems.
• Rebuilding with Licensing in Mind - After losing her original materials, Patrice rebuilt her training with future licensing opportunities and legal clarity at the core.
• Ownership Differences: Employee vs. Contractor Work - Erin clarifies how IP rights shift depending on whether someone is a W2 employee or a 1099 contractor and why that distinction matters.
• AI, Otter & ChatGPT Cautions - Both Erin and Patrice share risks of using AI or transcription tools with confidential or proprietary content and how to safeguard it.
• A Resource for Consultants Ready to Scale - Patrice discusses her free eBook for professionals looking to turn their expertise into a multi-six-figure consulting firm.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

🔗 Visit Patrice Davis’ website

More About Our Guest:

Patrice Davis is the founder and CEO of Grants Works, a consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA, and lead trainer at Grants Works Academy. After transitioning from a senior nonprofit executive role, she launched her successful consulting business in 2020, leveraging her marketing expertise to serve universities, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits worldwide. Patrice is a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, advocating for professionals to monetize their expertise through niche consulting. In 2022, she founded Ready Set Go Consult, a business accelerator guiding consultants to build thriving independent practices. She also hosts the Age Has No Limit podcast.

Connect with Patrice Davis:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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 leadership, the myth of perfect systems, and why grace — not grit — may be your best growth strategy. Plus, Jillian introduces her 90-day intensive, built to help you step into your CEO role with confidence and clarity.

Whether you're building your first team or rethinking your systems to scale, this episode will help you align your operations with what matters most.

Key Takeaways:

• Grace Fuels Growth - Jillian shares that giving yourself grace during setbacks is essential to scaling with confidence and authenticity.
• Decisions Shape Your Business - Poor delegation and disconnection often stem from reactive decision-making that isn’t grounded in your values.
• Delegation Requires Clarity - Understanding your business functions through tools like the Team Task Tracker makes effective delegation possible and scalable.
• Mindset Is the Real Obstacle - Many scaling challenges aren’t about resources—they’re about internal beliefs that need to be addressed with awareness, action, and accountability.
• Structure Enables Sustainability - Building systems that reflect your values and leadership style is key to running a business that grows without burning you out.

More About Our Guest:

Jillian Dolberry is a coach and business manager for women entrepreneurs, specializing in operations management and creative services. She's known for her work with virtual assistants and online business managers, guiding them on setting boundaries, developing systems, and navigating difficult conversations. Jillian also hosts the Grace-Filled CEO Podcast, further sharing her expertise in business management and leadership.

Connect with Jillian Dolberry:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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 shares her journey from corporate to virtual assistant to powerhouse business coach, how personal loss pushed her to take bold leaps, and how she codified her one-on-one coaching into a scalable, step-by-step framework. We also dive deep into mindset shifts around “playing big,” pricing as women, and protecting your IP in the age of AI.

If you’ve been on the fence about growing your business in a way that feels aligned and expansive, this conversation is your permission slip.

Key Takeaways:

• Redefine Playing Big: Scaling doesn’t always mean going bigger—it means getting clearer and braver about what success looks like for you.
• Codify Your Coaching Journey: Turning your client experience into a step-by-step framework isn’t just helpful—it’s the foundation of a scalable business.
• Speak Like a Human: Ditch the coach speak. Messaging that resonates starts with the language your ideal clients actually use.
• Protect What You’ve Built: Your ideas, frameworks, and voice are assets. Own and protect your IP before someone else does.
• Raise the Bar (and the Price): Playing small often hides behind low pricing. Charge like you believe in the value you create.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

🔗 Visit Gill Moakes’ website

🔗 Book a call for The Coaching Business Academy

More About Our Guest:

Gill is an award-winning, international business coach who specialises in helping great coaches build phenomenal businesses. Gill is the founder of The Coaching Business Academy, the co-founder of Unapologetic Retreats and the host of the Heads Together podcast where she delivers a weekly dose of entrepreneurial real talk to coaches on the grow.

Connect with Gill Moakes:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Charity: MicroLoan Foundation

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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 consultants and coaches package their knowledge into branded methods and systems that create real leverage—and real impact. We talk about why your signature method is more than just marketing—it’s your filter, framework, and freedom. How to detach your business from your presence and turn your ideas into repeatable assets. What traps to avoid when you serve too broadly, and how to position yourself to attract premium clients who buy into your method, not just your minutes.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your expertise into intellectual property that can scale—without losing your voice or burning out—this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Create a Signature Method: Your method isn’t just a framework—it’s a strategic filter that helps you stay focused and aligned.
• Detach Value from Time: To scale, you must shift from selling access to you, to selling results through a system.
• Define Who You Serve Best: Narrowing your ideal client and solution makes growth simpler, not smaller.
• Systematize Your IP: Organizing your knowledge into processes allows for more impact with less burnout.
• Your Voice Matters: Even if your approach uses common tools, your perspective and values make it unique—and that’s worth branding.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

🎁 Free Worksheet: Signature Method Framework

📩 Join Jason’s newsletter (via website)

More About Our Guest:

Jason helps coaches and consultants grow their businesses by creating offers that scale without overloading their time and energy. Since 2004, Jason has worked with over 10,000 entrepreneurs and created more than 60 online courses and programs. In 2005, he launched the first-ever internet marketing podcast, Internet Business Mastery, which spent a decade as a top ten business podcast.

Connect with Jason Van Orden:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

Charity: Girls Who Code

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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 dig deep into the invisible costs of overwork, the identity shift from doer to leader, and the moment Jill realized she needed to break her own rules to scale. If you’re feeling like your business can’t run without you, this episode is your wake-up call.

Jill shares hard-earned wisdom from scaling businesses to $10M+ and offers actionable ways to reclaim your time, build operational clarity, and let go of control—without compromising your vision.

Key Takeaways:

• Founders can be the bottleneck. If your business can’t function without you, it’s not scalable.
• Don’t sell your time—sell your thinking. Experts grow when they stop doing and start designing systems.
• Scaling isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less, better. Create space so the business can operate without you.
• You don’t need to be a “visionary.” You just need to be clear about where you want to go.
• Resist the "fixer" urge. Let your team solve problems so they can grow into their roles.
• Fractional leadership. This can help expert founders transition out of operator mode with structure and sanity.

Jill is a featured author in The Wisdom Collection: Stories That Transform How We Live, Connect, and Lead—an anthology of powerful insights from business leaders who’ve built, failed, and figured things out the hard way so you don’t have to. Each chapter is practical, quick to read, and full of hard-won wisdom.

The book launches June 24 and will be available for just $1.99 during its first 24–48 hours.

Want the launch link or more details? Check out Jill’s announcement post on LinkedIn.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

🔗 Check out Jill’s firm: The Jill James

📬 Get her insights: Subscribe to the newsletter

🤝 Connect via Beehiiv

More About Our Guest:

Jill James is CEO & Founder of The Jill James. As a recent client summed up, she is what would happen “if you could hire Sallie Krawchek, Dany Garcia, and Mackenzie Scott to run your company.” Jill started her career in New York City as an investment banking analyst with J. P. Morgan and personal wealth planner with AXA Financial (now Equitable). She moved to tech start-ups and held nearly every non-programming job in early stage companies, including product, marketing, sales, and C-level leadership. She used these experiences to found The Jill James in 2015, and now partners with self-funded founders to grow and run purpose-aligned companies.

At the University of Chicago, she earned a BA with honors in Political Science from The College and an MBA in entrepreneurship, strategy, and marketing from Booth School of Business. Originally from Greenwood, Wisconsin, Jill lives in Los Angeles with her kiddo and their very squeaky guinea pigs. She writes a weekly Beehiiv newsletter for owner/operators of small businesses. Learn more at thejilljames.com, including a video introduction and our most recent newsletters and blog posts.

Connect with Jill James:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Bluesky

Charity: https://www.wearebgc.org/

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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 clients and higher earnings automatically lead to success. But Jessica reveals why that’s not always the case—and how growth can actually hurt your business if it’s not intentional. We dive into why traditional scaling strategies don’t always work for consultants, the common pitfalls of hiring and expansion, and the mindset shifts necessary for building a profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable consulting business.

If you're a consultant looking to scale without burning out, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Bigger revenue ≠ bigger success. Many consultants increase their revenue but see little to no profit growth. Jessica explains why revenue isn’t the ultimate measure of success.
• The hidden costs of scaling. More clients, more staff, and bigger contracts can sound great—but they often come with increased stress and complexity.
• Hiring isn’t always the answer. Scaling doesn’t mean immediately building a huge team. Jessica shares how to assess whether hiring is the right move for your business.
• Intentional growth is key. Sustainable success comes from a business model that supports your goals, lifestyle, and energy—not just higher numbers.
• Mindset shifts for scaling success. Jessica discusses the biggest mindset blocks consultants face when trying to grow—and how to overcome them.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

🔗 Visit her website at jessicafearnley.com

🔗 Avail her book - Too Much: How To Thrive Being More Instead of Settling for Less

More About Our Guest:

Jessica Fearnley is a business coach who helps women build seven figure consulting firms. She specializes in the transition from six to seven figures in turnover, and is an advocate for earning more by working less. Jessica has bachelor's and masters degrees from Nottingham University, and a career background in project management, business planning and business development in both the public and private sector. In December 2019 she was named as one of the LinkedIn Top Voices for Entrepreneurship and Small Business, and is passionate about closing the gender pay gap for women in consulting.

Connect with Jessica Fearnley:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production

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 leverageable business.

We explore how to develop unique frameworks, test and protect your IP, and transform your expertise into scalable assets. Maiko also breaks down how service-based business owners can structure their offerings to move beyond one-on-one work while still maintaining profitability. If you're looking to scale your business without burning out, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss!

Key Takeaways:

• The Delegation Sweet Spot: Avoid being too hesitant or too aggressive in hiring; instead, build systems that allow for smart, sustainable delegation.
• IP as Your Growth Engine: Your intellectual property is your most valuable asset. Develop, test, and secure your frameworks before scaling them.
• Testing Before Scaling: Ensure your methodologies and frameworks are robust by stress-testing them before rolling them out widely.
• Creating Scalable Offers: Keep your 1:1 services as a stable revenue source while developing both a gateway product for new clients and a high-ticket offer for deeper transformation.
• Quizzes as a Lead Generation Tool: A well-structured quiz can help filter ideal clients and boost engagement.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

🔗 Visit her website at MaikoSakai.com

📩 Free Quiz Blueprint: Download Maiko’s 10-Step Quiz Creation Blueprint on her website.

More About Our Guest:

Maiko Sakai is a quiz alchemist and business consultant who helps service providers attract ideal clients with psychology-driven quizzes—without the overwhelm. Using her Quiz Creation 10-Step Blueprint, Maiko transforms quiz-building into an inspiring, creative process that boosts email lists, builds trust, and delivers rave-worthy results. Her mission? To help small business owners turn their expertise into a scalable marketing tool that grows their visibility and revenue effortlessly. Originally from Japan and now a proud New Yorker, Maiko has an MBA from Cornell University, a love for ethnic cuisine, and a weakness for ultra-modern design and exotic houseplants.

Connect with Maiko Sakai:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X

Connect with Erin to learn how to Turn Your Expertise into Scalable Recurring Revenue.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/

Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos

Music credit: Paphos by Mountaineer

A Team Dklutr production