"I Wish I Hadn't Waited So Long": How to Build a Business With Your Academic Expertise

You stayed. You pushed through. You asked for help—and got gaslit instead.If that just hit a little too close to home, this episode is for you.Julia Gray's post-academic path included a government job before she began building her business as an editor and a communications and culture specialist.In this conversation, Julia gets honest about what it feels like to reinvent yourself after academia. We talk about the identity shift that happens when you leave behind the job title of "professor," what it looks like to build a business when you're completely terrified, and why she wishes she'd stopped waiting for academia to get better—sooner.In this episode, you'll hear about:💡 What "knowledge mobilization" is and how it became the foundation of Julia's business💡 The postdoc experience that ended badly—right before the pandemic hit💡 How quiet quitting in a faculty job became the push she needed to find the exit💡 The identity crisis of going from "professor" to "government employee" to "business owner"💡 Why being terrified doesn't mean stop—it means equip yourself💡 How Julia is using public writing, Instagram, and free workshops to build her audience and businessWhether you're mid-escape or just starting to wonder if there's a way out, Julia's story is a reminder that the path doesn't have to be linear—it just has to move forward.🎧 Watch, subscribe, and share with the academics in your life who need to hear this.Resources Mentioned:Website: https://www.thejuliagray.caInstagram: @_gray_juliaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-gray-phd/Get Julia's newsletter: https://julia-gray.kit.com/f0f9eb26dbTimestamps:2:15 - Creative Projects and Knowledge Mobilization4:30 - Navigating a Challenging Postdoc Experience7:00 - The Pandemic's Impact and Career Collapse9:15 - Transitioning to Government Work11:30 - The Identity Shift: Professor to Public Servant14:00 - Building Your Own Business From Scratch17:00 - Monetizing Your Expertise: A New Challenge19:30 - Developing Culture Building Skills22:00 - The Power of Experimentation in Business25:00 - Mastering Instagram for Business Growth28:00 - Finding Your Platform: Podcasts and Blogs30:30 - Upcoming Workshops and Public Writing33:00 - Embracing Fear and Seeking Support35:30 - Don't Wait: Leave Unhappiness Behind Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.