Shulman Collaborative is me, Erin Shulman.
I have 20 years of experience building structure and systems from the ground up. First in the music industry managing concert audio logistics and production, then at a SaaS company coordinating business operations and tradeshow logistics. Independent contractors and small business owners hire me to act as their virtual assistant and collaborator, helping them reclaim their time and focus on what they do best. I live in San Diego, California, but I work with people all over the world!
Here’s my story:
I spent 13 years in the music industry working in concert audio production. I started as an administrative assistant and worked my way up to production assistant/coordinator and logistics manager, handling everything from complex calendars and scheduling to administrative tasks, office management, booking travel, and light bookkeeping.
What I loved most was building something from nothing. When I started, these roles didn’t quite exist. I was given the trust to create them and shape the roles to best fit the needs of the company. I developed systems, implemented calendar management, coordinated schedules across multiple time zones, and learned how to see the bigger picture while managing every detail along the way.
After the music industry, I spent nearly 4 years at a SaaS company where, once again, I built my role from scratch. I handled business administration, customer support, planned and executed tradeshows, and managed the behind-the-scenes logistics that kept everything running smoothly. I became skilled at adapting quickly, maintaining compliance, and anticipating what needed to happen next.
In early 2025, I decided to take a deliberate step back for a “clarity sabbatical.” I spent months studying systems of organization and intentionality, honing in on my ability to “unclutter” not just physical spaces, but business workflows. This time wasn’t just a break; it was an upskilling retreat where I realized my true superpower is creating order within complex systems. I realized that I wanted to use these skills more intentionally, moving away from the one-company model to support a wider variety of mission-driven projects and small businesses.
So, I launched Shulman Collaborative.
The “Collaborative” part isn’t just a name. It’s how I work. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, I work with my clients to shape services that fit their specific needs. Whether it’s managing your CRM, coordinating your calendar, planning your travel, scheduling podcast episodes, or handling the hundred other tasks that eat up your day, we figure it out together.
In March 2025, I co-created and started coordinating a podcast, which has been an incredible learning experience. It’s given me fresh insights into content scheduling, workflow management, and the kind of behind-the-scenes coordination that keeps creative projects moving forward. These are skills I now bring to every client I work with.
When I’m not helping clients streamline their businesses, you’ll find me at the pool hall as I am a competitive pool player. I captain multiple teams and participate in tournaments too. I also enjoy traveling to discover the best meals and experiences both within San Diego and beyond!
Today, I help independent contractors, solo professionals, and small business owners get their time back. I handle the day-to-day admin work like client database updates, website maintenance, research, password management, and social media scheduling, so you can focus on growing your business instead of managing it.
Let’s collaborate and design a partnership that perfectly supports your goals!