You know those moments where you’re doing all the marketing work—writing emails, posting to social, juggling a million tabs—and still feeling like clients only see you as the “extra hands”?

Yeah, Erika Schwane felt that too.

She had freelance clients. Solid experience. A good income. But something was off.

“I was mostly subcontracting on small projects,” Erika shared. “It was fine—but it wasn’t the next level I knew I was capable of.”

And she was right.

After joining the Director of Marketing (DOM) Certification Program, Erika pivoted from behind-the-scenes freelancer to front-and-center marketing leader—earning $130K/year while working just 25 hours a week.

Here’s how she did it (and how you can, too).

She had the skills—but not the confidence (yet)

Before the DOM program, Erika already had a solid client roster and was earning about $80K/year. But she was capping out—working 40 hours a week and unsure how to raise her rates or pitch strategy at a higher level.

“I wanted to offer a more premium service,” she said, “but I didn’t have the framework to do it. I didn’t know how to package it.”

Inside the DOM program, Erika found exactly what she needed:

• Templates to build real marketing strategy
• Systems to support higher-level offers
• Coaching to work through mindset blocks

“This was the first course of its kind that I’d taken. I loved Lindsay’s approach—it was the mix of knowledge, structure, and support I needed to go bigger.”

The results? Fewer hours. Higher pay. More freedom.

After completing DOM, Erika made a few strategic shifts—and everything changed.

• $130K/year income (up from $80K)
• 25-hour work weeks (down from 40)
• Premium retainers with better-aligned clients

“The difference was immediate. I went from wondering how to sell a premium offer to closing $5K+ retainers confidently.”

And let’s be real—this isn’t about some overnight “six-figure secret.”

This is what happens when you start charging for your brain, not just your time.

The mindset shift that sealed the deal

At first, Erika wasn’t sure she could call herself a Director of Marketing. Sound familiar?

But through the program’s coaching and community, she saw her social media and content experience in a new light.

“Turns out, I wasn’t starting from scratch—I just needed someone to help me connect the dots and own it.”

And once she did? Everything shifted.

She now speaks confidently about marketing strategy, positions herself as a partner (not a pair of hands), and has more balance in her business than ever before.

Erika’s advice to anyone stuck in task mode?

“Do it. I almost didn’t because of the cost—but once I saw it as an investment, everything changed. I hit my income goals. I found the confidence. I landed bigger clients. And I don’t think it would’ve happened without the DOM program.”

This is your sign.

If you’ve ever looked at your client roster and thought, “Is this all there is?”… Erika’s story is proof it doesn’t have to be.

You don’t need more gigs. You need to step into leadership.

🎯 Want to see how the DOM Certification Program can help you make the leap? Join the waitlist here.

Because the only difference between Erika and where you are right now… is a decision to lead.