Fractional COOs to the Rescue

Jen Hamilton
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Small businesses are the superheroes in their communities - they give jobs, services, products, and they give back. Yet, the odds are stacked against them. More than half of all small businesses fail to reach year 5. Small business owners face a fight to defend their communities and become the community heroes they were always meant to be. Every hero needs a sidekick… Fractional COOs understand that small business is not a little big business. Running a small business comes with unique operational, team, and client challenges that differ from those of a big-name business. Fractional COOs to the Rescue! is a podcast that helps small business owners move from operational drag to heroic outcomes. Hear stories, strategies, and a few tough truths of running a small business to help you lead with confidence. Hosted by Jen Hamilton — your not-so-average sidekick.

Episodes

  1. Aug 10

    Brian Munroe Explains Why "Let's Get an AI For That" Is Quietly Draining Your Budget

    Your team is already experimenting with AI. The question is whether anyone in your company actually knows it. In this episode, Jen sits down with Brian Munroe, Managing Director of MTI Global Group and a Fractional COO who specializes in rescuing troubled projects and healthcare operations. Brian coined a term for what he sees happening inside growing businesses right now: AI sprawl. Brian and Jen dig into what happens when every department quietly adopts its own AI tools with nobody talking to each other about it. Why that drives up cost, breaks compliance, and erodes the consistency a business depends on. And the practices that bring it back under control before it becomes an expensive mess.  You will hear why "let's get the latest tool" is rarely the fix it feels like, why a simple AI intake process changes everything, and why the goal is not to remove humans from the work, it is to put them back in the parts that matter most. If your team has been quietly testing AI tools on their own, this conversation will show you what to do about it before it costs you. In this episode What AI sprawl actually looks like inside a growing business Why unchecked AI tools quietly duplicate cost, risk, and process The compliance blind spot most leaders miss when teams test AI on their own How an AI steering committee turns silent experimentation into a shared decision The one question that stops "let's get a new tool" before it becomes another expense Connect with Brian Munroe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iambrianmunroe/ | mtiglobalgroup.com

    Brian Munroe Explains Why "Let's Get an AI For That" Is Quietly Draining Your Budget

  2. Jul 13

    Daniel Matthews On How To Handle The Owner Who Keeps Throwing Curveballs At The Team

    A new idea isn't always progress. Sometimes it's the most expensive distraction in the building. In this episode, Jen sits down with Fractional COO Daniel Matthews, founder of Matthews Ops and a Lean Six Sigma practitioner who came up through structural engineering and construction before spending nearly a decade improving how businesses actually run. Dan and Jen dig into what happens when an owner drops a shiny new idea into work that's already in motion. Why it derails the team. How to honor the idea without abandoning the plan. And the leadership move that turns "do it because I said so" into real buy-in. You'll hear why you can't actually multitask, why "that's how we've always done it" is a hidden tax on your business, and why a COO's most underrated skill is emotional intelligence. If new ideas keep pulling your team off course, this one will help you protect your focus without killing innovation. In this episode Why a new idea mid-quarter can be so disruptive, even when it's a good one How to evaluate a curveball against your real strategy before you act on it The difference between command, consult, and consensus, and why consult wins Why you can't multitask, and how focus on one thing drives more growth Why celebrating finished work matters, and why slow movement beats no movement Connect with Daniel Matthews LinkedIn | matthewsops.com

    Daniel Matthews On How To Handle The Owner Who Keeps Throwing Curveballs At The Team

  3. Jun 15

    Jodi Graham Reveals Why Your Growth Plan Is Missing The One Thing That Actually Makes It Work

    Most small businesses have a growth goal. Very few have a growth plan. Even fewer have actually operationalized one.  In this episode, Jen sits down with Fractional COO, Jodi Graham, founder of Strategic Growth Advisors, who has spent her career driving growth, leading teams, and navigating nine mergers and acquisitions for the companies she served. Jodi breaks down what it really means to operationalize growth, and why so many businesses skip this critical step in the rush to hit revenue targets.  She shares the tell-tale symptoms that signal your growth plan isn't working, why misalignment between sales and operations is silently killing your culture, and how the right strategy can turn a company in crisis into one that doubles in four years. You'll also hear the story behind the bell.  One of the most simple, powerful team engagement moves we've featured on this show. If your business is growing but still feels chaotic, this episode is exactly what you need to hear. In this episode: Why having a growth goal is not the same as having a growth plan The symptoms that signal your organization isn't operationalizing growth How to align sales, marketing, and operations so everyone rows in the same direction A real-world client story: from losing their largest customer to doubling revenue in four years The first step any business owner can take today toward operationalizing growth Connect with Jodi Graham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodigraham1/Email: Jodi.graham.sga@outlook.com

    Jodi Graham Reveals Why Your Growth Plan Is Missing The One Thing That Actually Makes It Work

  4. May 18

    Ron Higgs Reveals How Naval Aviation Trained Him To Lead

    What does flying a Navy aircraft have to do with running your small business? More than you think. In this episode, Jen Hamilton sits down with Ron Higgs, Naval Flight Officer, aerospace engineer, turned executive coach and Fractional COO.   Ron unpacks the leadership lessons he carried from the cockpit straight into the boardroom. Ron works with technical professionals and business owners who have never been trained to lead (engineers, accountants, lawyers).  He helps them become the executives their businesses desperately need. Together, Jen and Ron dive into: Why perfectionism is the silent villain holding technical leaders back How military mission alignment translates to team clarity and execution The "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate" framework and how to apply it to your business Why debriefing every project could save your company thousands of dollars How the Blue Angels model intentional turnover, and what it means for your team The power of feedback loops and continuous learning in building resilient organizations If you've ever felt like your business is flying blind, this episode will give you a flight plan.   Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-higgs/ Learn more about Ron's work: https://wolfmanagementsolutions.com/

    Ron Higgs Reveals How Naval Aviation Trained Him To Lead

  5. Apr 20

    Mark Ross Reveals Why Playing It Safe in the Middle Is Killing Your Small Business

    Most small business owners think they have a strategy. Mark Ross says they're probably wrong — and it's costing them more than they realize. In this episode, Fractional COO Mark Ross joins Jen Hamilton to talk about one of the most overlooked drivers of small business success: being intentional and strategic about who you serve and what you offer.  From the dangers of trying to be everything to everyone, to the power of challenging your own assumptions before the market does it for you, this conversation is packed with practical insight for any owner who's ready to stop guessing and start executing with clarity. Mark and Jen also dig into why strategic planning fails without the right metrics, how to test ideas small before going all in, and what happens when you finally get the right people working cross-functionally toward a shared goal. If your business feels like chaos with a calendar, this episode is your reset button. In this episode: Why the "messy middle" pricing and market strategy is a profitability trap How to challenge the assumptions you didn't know you were making The connection between project management, trust, and team performance Practical first steps to sharpen your market strategy starting now  Connect with Mark Ross: LinkedIn: Mark Ross Websites: RossCG.org Schedule a complimentary consultation with Mark Ross

    Mark Ross Reveals Why Playing It Safe in the Middle Is Killing Your Small Business

  6. Mar 23

    Diane Mentzer Explains Why Role Clarity is a Secret Weapon

    What's really behind the dropped balls, the tension, and the team that just won't run without you? In this episode, Jen Hamilton sits down with Diane Mentzer, COO coach and creator of the Alignment Accelerator, to talk about role clarity: what it is, why most leadership teams don't have it, and what it's quietly costing you. Diane shares a real client story, practical steps you can take today, and why co-creating roles with your team changes everything for your culture, your productivity, and your bottom line. If you're tired of being in every conversation and every decision, this episode is your starting point. Connect with Diane: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-integrates/  Diane's Website: https://www.dianeintegrates.com/

    Diane Mentzer Explains Why Role Clarity is a Secret Weapon

  7. Feb 23

    Renee Brauns Shows How Purpose Powers Performance

    Most small businesses have a mission statement gathering dust on their website. But what if your mission could actually drive decisions, rally your team, and create real impact? In this episode, Renee Brauns—Fractional COO for mission-minded businesses—shares how to turn vision into action.  She reveals the "villains" that keep businesses stuck: the Tangle Weavers (endless meetings with no outcomes) and Vision Distractors (shiny object syndrome that kills focus). Renee breaks down why strategic planning fails for most businesses and how to make it actionable instead of aspirational. You'll discover the difference between teams that memorize a mission versus teams that internalize it—and why that distinction changes everything. If you lead a purpose-driven business and feel stuck between big vision and messy execution, this conversation will give you clarity on where to start. Key Takeaways: How to know if your mission is actually working (or just sounds good) The quickest gut-check to test if your team knows what you're here to do Why vision + action = infinite possibilities for growth Renee's approach is perfect for professional services, associations, and nonprofit leaders ready to move from chaos to clarity. Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneebrauns/ Visit Renee's website: https://www.reneebrauns.com/

    Renee Brauns Shows How Purpose Powers Performance

  8. 09/26/2025

    What is Fractional COOs to the Rescue?

    Small businesses are superheroes. They provide jobs and services and give back to their communities. Yet, the odds are stacked against them.  More than half fail by year five, and 80% by year 20.  Small business owners face a fight to defend their communities and become the community heroes they were always meant to be.   Every hero needs a sidekick…   Fractional COOs understand that small business is not a little big business.   Running a small business comes with unique operational, team, and client challenges that differ from those of a big-name business. Fractional COOs to the Rescue! is a podcast that helps small business owners move from operational drag to heroic outcomes.    Hear stories, strategies, and a few tough truths of running a small business to help you lead with confidence.    Hosted by Jen Hamilton — your not-so-average sidekick.

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Small businesses are the superheroes in their communities - they give jobs, services, products, and they give back. Yet, the odds are stacked against them. More than half of all small businesses fail to reach year 5. Small business owners face a fight to defend their communities and become the community heroes they were always meant to be. Every hero needs a sidekick… Fractional COOs understand that small business is not a little big business. Running a small business comes with unique operational, team, and client challenges that differ from those of a big-name business. Fractional COOs to the Rescue! is a podcast that helps small business owners move from operational drag to heroic outcomes. Hear stories, strategies, and a few tough truths of running a small business to help you lead with confidence. Hosted by Jen Hamilton — your not-so-average sidekick.

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