Hi, I'm Erin
I build the operational systems that let founders and executives stop running their business from their inbox and actually focus on growing it.
Since 2016, I've worked behind the scenes for leadership teams across healthcare, financial services, federal contracting, nonprofits, and tech startups. My background includes five years in HR (where I learned to systematize everything) and inside sales before that (where I learned to work with all kinds of people). Somewhere along the way, I taught myself to code and started building the tools and automations I couldn't find off the shelf.
Give me two systems that don't communicate and I'll find the bridge and build it. Give me a messy, manual process and I'll turn it into something that runs itself. That's kind of my jam.
Automated workflows built
Zapier integrations deployed
Platforms connected
Years of operations experience
Certifications
Not just years of doing the work. Officially certified in the platforms my clients actually run on.
Asana Certified Pro
Project management buildouts
Asana Ambassador
Community recognition
HubSpot Inbound Marketing
Inbound strategy & execution
HubSpot Sales Software
Sales Hub configuration
HubSpot CRM
CRM setup & pipeline design
Claude 101
Anthropic certified (May 2026)
Claude Code 101
Anthropic certified (May 2026)
Claude Cowork
Anthropic certified (May 2026)
AI Fluency for Small Businesses
Anthropic & PayPal certified (2026)
Claude Builder Program
In progress (December 2026)
Always learning
New certs added as I earn them
How I Work
Ownership, not task-taking
I take responsibility for outcomes, not just checking things off a list. If something needs doing, it gets done. You should never have to follow up or micromanage. That defeats the entire purpose of having support.
Technical fluency (with AI baked in)
I'm not just organizing your calendar. I'm building Zapier workflows, configuring your CRM, integrating AI into the workflows that should have it, and troubleshooting the rest. I speak the language. I build the solutions. And in 2026, that means knowing where AI earns its keep and where it doesn't.
Calm under pressure
High-stakes environments are where I do my best work. I simplify complexity instead of adding to it. No drama, no panic. Just steady execution when things get busy.
Discretion is non-negotiable
You'll share sensitive information with me. Financial data, personnel issues, strategic plans. I treat all of it like a vault. Trust is earned, and I take that seriously.
Why The Coastal Collaborative?
The name reflects how I work: collaborative partnership with the calm, clarity, and perspective that comes from stepping back and seeing the whole picture.
This is not about checking boxes. It's about building operational systems and processes that let you focus on what actually drives your business forward.
Most operations consultants specialize in one thing. I cover four: your operations manager, your automation specialist, your AI integration partner, and your web developer. All in one partnership.
You bring the vision. I bring it to life.
Meet the Team
Kelly Pollard
Operations Support Specialist
Kelly brings structure and follow-through to every client engagement. From inbox management and calendar coordination to project tracking and documentation, she is the person making sure nothing gets missed. Kelly works directly with our clients to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly so founders can focus on the work that actually moves the needle.