Hourly to Exit

Erin Austin
Hourly to Exit

The transformation of an expertise-based business from an unscalable, income-focused business to a scalable and saleable, profit-focused business is a journey.  Host Erin Austin, attorney and consultant, and the Hourly to Exit podcast gives you a front row seat on that journey.  Through conversations with expert guests, other expertise-based business owners and the occasional solo episode, Erin brings the “explain it simply and clearly” style that she’s known for to share tips, tactics, strategies–and even some legal know-how–to help your businesses progress from a freelance lifestyle gig to a wealth building saleable asset and beyond.     Hourly to Exit is sponsored by Think Beyond IP, a strategic legal advisory firm that helps expertise-based businesses create, protect and leverage intellectual property to grow sustainably and build a business that will be ready to sell when the founder is ready to exit.  At hourlytoexit.com/podcast, you can download a self-assessment to determine where your business is on the journey and what it needs to become a wealth building asset.

  1. JUL 2

    E100: From Hourly to Exit: Reflecting on Three Years and a New Direction

    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 growth. Here are three key takeaways from this episode: Importance of Legal Protection for Leverage: Without the right legal protections, creating leverage is nearly impossible. Ensuring your intellectual property is safeguarded enables you to grow your business legally, safely, and profitably.Transitioning to a Scalable Business Model: Moving away from an hourly billing model to a scalable and potentially saleable business model is essential for long-term growth. This involves standardizing processes, leveraging intellectual property, and developing products that can generate income independent of your time.Focus on Expertise-Based Niches: Specializing in protecting expertise-based businesses, particularly those working with corporate clients, allows for more targeted and effective solutions. Owning and managing your intellectual property correctly can greatly enhance your market position and profitability. As we close this chapter, I am excited about the new horizons ahead and eager to continue providing value in protecting your expertise. Thank you for your unwavering support! Stay tuned, and remember, IP is fuel. 💡🔥 Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business owners with corporate clients, the NDA Navigator is your guide to understanding, negotiating, and implementing NDAs. Empower yourself with legal insights and practical tools when you don’t have the time or funds to invest in a full legal review. Get 20% off by using the coupon code “H2E”.  You can find it at www.protectyourexpertise.com. Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos Music credit: Yes She Can by Tiny Music A Team Dklutr production

    18 min
  2. JUN 25

    E99: REPLAY: Protecting Your Expertise: Why Copyrights and Contracts Matter

    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 need the protections provided under copyright law.Legal Benefits of Copyright Registration: Registering your copyrights provides significant advantages, including the ability to file lawsuits for infringement, presumed validity of your copyright, and access to statutory damages which simplify the enforcement process.Contracts Are Key: Strong contractual agreements with both clients and contractors are essential. These contracts should clearly define ownership rights and restrictions on the use of your intellectual property to prevent unauthorized use (or reuse) and ensure you retain control over your assets. By incorporating these elements into your business practices, you can protect your intellectual property effectively and leverage it to create a more profitable and sustainable business. Resources Mentioned:  U.S. Copyright Office: For registering copyrights and learning more about copyright laws.Sample Client and Contractor Agreements: Templates or guidelines for drafting agreements that secure your intellectual property rights.Previous Podcast Episode: A reference to the last episode discussing the importance of auditing your business assets. Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business owners with corporate clients, the NDA Navigator is your guide to understanding, negotiating, and implementing NDAs. Empower yourself with legal insights and practical tools when you don’t have the time or funds to invest in a full legal review. Get 20% off by using the coupon code “H2E”.  You can find it at www.protectyourexpertise.com. Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos Music credit: Yes She Can by Tiny Music A Team Dklutr production

    22 min
  3. JUN 18

    E98: How AI is Revolutionizing Business With Heidi Araya

    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 a data science program at MIT to founding an AI agency focused on empowering solopreneurs and small businesses, Heidi's story showcases the power of reinvention. Here are three key takeaways from this insightful episode: 🔹 AI Accessibility and Efficiency: Advancements in AI Assistants and chatbot technology have made these tools more accessible and cost-effective for small businesses and solopreneurs. These technologies provide immense value by automating tasks and enhancing content engagement. 🔹 AI in Content Creation: Heidi emphasizes the exciting possibilities of using AI for content creation. From real-time streaming AI avatars for courseware to AI-driven blog post generation, the potential for making teaching and content delivery more engaging is immense. 🔹 Erin’s AI Assistant!: We talk about the awesome custom chatbot Heidi created for Think Beyond IP and when you might be ready for your own! Tune in to this episode to hear more about Heidi's inspiring journey and her vision for the future of AI!  Listen now and don’t forget to check out her website and connect with her on LinkedIn. More About Our Guest: Heidi Araya is a global consultant, inventor, trainer, and speaker with over two decades of experience driving multimillion-dollar business improvements in businesses both large and small. She specializes in a people-first approach to AI adoption, offering AI-enablement coaching and AI consulting, with a primary focus on AI Assistants and AI Automation. Remarkably, this is Heidi's third career.  Heidi's first career was as a technical writer, where she later managed a team of writers and trainers. Subsequently, she led large change initiatives within organizations to help them adopt better ways of working. In 2023, she founded her own AI agency, managing AI Assistant services. Heidi's personal mission is to connect people with information that can transform their lives. Connect with Heidi Araya: WebsiteLinkedIn Charity Mentioned: https://malala.org/ Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs,...

    29 min
  4. JUN 11

    E97: Is Using AI in Your Work Considered Plagiarism? Erin Weighs In

    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 my deep dive: - Distinguishing Copyright Infringement from Plagiarism:   - Copyright infringement involves the violation of legal rights granted by copyright law, such as reproducing or distributing a work without permission.   - Plagiarism, on the other hand, breaches ethical standards. It involves using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution and presenting them as your own. - Legal vs. Ethical Violations:   - Copyright infringement can result in civil and criminal penalties and is addressed by the court system.   - Plagiarism is handled by the "court of public opinion" and can lead to reputational and professional consequences, such as loss of trust, academic penalties, and damaged career opportunities. - AI and Ethical Considerations:   - AI-generated content doesn't fit neatly into the traditional definition of plagiarism because AI doesn't have original ideas to credit or an intellect to acknowledge.   - While using AI content without attribution isn’t necessarily an ethical breach, relying too heavily on AI for thought leadership might reflect poorly on one's originality and expertise. Dive deeper into the intricacies of copyright and plagiarism. Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business owners with corporate clients, the NDA Navigator is your guide to understanding, negotiating, and implementing NDAs. Empower yourself with legal insights and practical tools when you don’t have the time or funds to invest in a full legal review. Get 20% off by using the coupon code “H2E”.  You can find it at www.protectyourexpertise.com. Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos Music credit: Yes She Can by Tiny Music A Team Dklutr production

    21 min
  5. JUN 4

    E96: Legal Steps for Scaling Your Business From One-to-One to One-to-Many

    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 from one-to-one services to one-to-many offerings, specific legal agreements such as client agreements, contractor agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and AI usage policies become crucial to safeguard your business and intellectual property.Protection Equals Leverage: Protecting your intellectual property through copyright and trademark registration is needed to create scalable revenue streams and decouple income from time.Prevention of Poaching: To avoid clients poaching your employees or contractors and your contractors from poaching your clients, make sure to have clear agreements in place with remedies like liquidated damages or equitable relief. This not only protects your team but also your business interests. If you have further questions or ideas for future topics, we'd love to hear from you. Stay protected, stay leveraged, and keep scaling! Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business owners with corporate clients, the NDA Navigator is your guide to understanding, negotiating, and implementing NDAs. Empower yourself with legal insights and practical tools when you don’t have the time or funds to invest in a full legal review. Get 20% off by using the coupon code “H2E”.  You can find it at www.protectyourexpertise.com. Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos Music credit: Yes She Can by Tiny Music A Team Dklutr production

    25 min
  6. MAY 28

    E95: Understanding Data Integrity and Liability in Generative AI with Joy Butler

    Are you confident in the origins of your AI training data?  In this episode, we unravel the complexities of generative AI with IP attorney Joy Butler, delving into data provenance, liability, and the transformative role of diversity in AI.  We discuss the importance of verifying your AI training data to avoid copyright issues, the need to avoid inputting confidential information in AI prompts and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, and how AI companies are offering indemnification and adopting licensing models to provide legal assurances and mitigate liabilities.  Tune in to stay ahead in the fast-evolving AI domain! 🔍 Three Key Takeaways: Transparency and Traceability: Always verify the source of your AI training data to avoid copyright violations and ensure compliance.Best Practices for AI Use: Be cautious about inputting confidential information in AI prompts and ensure your AI usage aligns with contractual obligations.Indemnification and Licensing: AI companies are increasingly offering indemnification and adopting licensing models to provide users with legal assurances and mitigate liabilities. Resources Mentioned:  Copyright Clearance Center More About Our Guest: Joy R. Butler helps companies and investors craft innovative business models, mitigate risks, and devise strategies for ventures into new markets, technologies, and product lines in the entertainment and digital technology industries. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Connect with Joy Butler: WebsiteLinkedIn Charity Mentioned: https://girlswhocode.com/ Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business owners with corporate clients, the NDA Navigator is your guide to understanding, negotiating, and implementing NDAs. Empower yourself with legal insights and practical tools when you don’t have the time or funds to invest in a full legal review. Get 20% off by using the coupon code “H2E”.  You can find it at www.protectyourexpertise.com. Think Beyond IP YouTube Page:a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos" rel="noopener...

    36 min
  7. MAY 21

    E94: Calculating Damages for Copyright Infringement

    🎙️ In our latest episode, Erin uses the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on copyright infringement to explore the intricacies of copyright damages. Whether you're a creator, a business owner, or an enthusiast of intellectual property law, this episode has invaluable insights for you! 🔍 Three Key Takeaways: Statutory vs. Actual Damages: Understand the difference and application of statutory and actual damages in copyright infringement cases.Supreme Court's Stance: The recent ruling affirms that copyright owners can seek damages for infringements beyond the three-year look-back period previously enforced by some circuits.Importance of Copyright Registration: Find out how timely registration of your work can leverage your ability to claim statutory damages, which can significantly simplify litigation processes. Whether you're protecting your creative works or using copyrighted materials, understanding these points can save you from potential legal battles! Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business owners with corporate clients, the NDA Navigator is your guide to understanding, negotiating, and implementing NDAs. Empower yourself with legal insights and practical tools when you don’t have the time or funds to invest in a full legal review. Get 20% off by using the coupon code “H2E”.  You can find it at www.protectyourexpertise.com. Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos Music credit: Yes She Can by Tiny Music A Team Dklutr production

    19 min
  8. MAY 14

    E93: IP Everywhere Means IP Trouble Is Everywhere

    In this episode, I used the example of a parent recording Little Johnny’s play to walk through all of the IP issues–and the trouble we can get in. Here are 3 Key Points we cover in this episode: 1. Understanding Copyright Rules: - Most plays and their adaptations, like the ones performed in high schools, are protected by copyright laws, meaning you can't record or share them without permission. - Always check if you need permission before recording or sharing a play. 2. Music Rights Are Tricky: - When plays include music, there are extra rules about using the song itself and any recordings of it. - Make sure you have the right permissions to use all aspects of the music to avoid any legal issues. 3. Respecting Privacy and Publicity Rights: - If you record a performance, you need to have permissions not just from the performers but also from anyone who might appear in the video, including people in the audience. - Be careful when you upload videos to places like YouTube — ensure you follow their rules about sharing content you don’t own. 👉 Intellectual property might sound complex, but it's all about making sure that creators get credit for their work and that we respect their rights. Check out our episode to learn more about how this affects you and the content you share. Connect with Erin to learn how to use intellectual property to increase your income and impact. hourlytoexit.com/podcast. Erin's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinaustin/ Hourly to Exit is Sponsored By: This week’s episode of Hourly to Exit is sponsored by the NDA Navigator. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are the bedrock of protecting your business's confidential information. However, facing a constant stream of NDAs can be overwhelming, especially when time and budget constraints prevent you from seeking full legal review. That's where the NDA Navigator comes to your rescue. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business owners with corporate clients, the NDA Navigator is your guide to understanding, negotiating, and implementing NDAs. Empower yourself with legal insights and practical tools when you don’t have the time or funds to invest in a full legal review. Get 20% off by using the coupon code “H2E”.  You can find it at www.protectyourexpertise.com. Think Beyond IP YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVztXnDYnZ83oIb-EGX9IGA/videos Music credit: Yes She Can by Tiny Music A Team Dklutr production

    14 min
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The transformation of an expertise-based business from an unscalable, income-focused business to a scalable and saleable, profit-focused business is a journey.  Host Erin Austin, attorney and consultant, and the Hourly to Exit podcast gives you a front row seat on that journey.  Through conversations with expert guests, other expertise-based business owners and the occasional solo episode, Erin brings the “explain it simply and clearly” style that she’s known for to share tips, tactics, strategies–and even some legal know-how–to help your businesses progress from a freelance lifestyle gig to a wealth building saleable asset and beyond.     Hourly to Exit is sponsored by Think Beyond IP, a strategic legal advisory firm that helps expertise-based businesses create, protect and leverage intellectual property to grow sustainably and build a business that will be ready to sell when the founder is ready to exit.  At hourlytoexit.com/podcast, you can download a self-assessment to determine where your business is on the journey and what it needs to become a wealth building asset.

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