The Fractional Operator

Michael Nelson
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The Fractional Operator, powered by Hourglass, is the podcast for fractional executives, consultants, agency owners, and outsourced service providers looking to grow smarter. Hosted by Mike Nelson, each episode features candid conversations with fractional COOs, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, and operators sharing the software, systems, processes, and lessons driving their success. Discover actionable strategies to scale a fractional practice, improve efficiency, solve operational challenges, and stay ahead in the rapidly growing fractional economy.

  1. Oct 22

    Turn Bookkeeping Into Business Strategy With Jessica Marcy | The Fractional Operator #14

    Jessica Marcy, owner of Old Wisdom Bookkeeping, joins Mike Nelson on The Fractional Operator to discuss bookkeeping, business strategy, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the challenges of growing a fractional business. Learn why pricing your time correctly, choosing the right clients, understanding your financial reports, and building repeatable services can help fractional consultants and small business owners work smarter and grow sustainably.  Learn more about Jessica Marcy and Old Wisdom Bookkeeping at oldwisdombookkeeping.com.  0:00 Introduction and the story behind Old Wisdom Bookkeeping   1:44 Jessica's transition from construction project management to bookkeeping   3:17 Building a fractional business around your lifestyle   4:30 Bookkeeping, business strategy, SOPs, and project management   6:27 Helping business owners focus on what they do best   7:07 Solving QuickBooks problems and growing through word of mouth   9:10 Networking and building a referral network   11:23 Managing multiple clients with spreadsheets and project lists   13:29 The biggest early lesson: valuing your time and pricing your services   16:23 Expanding beyond bookkeeping and embracing problem-solving   18:42 Finding ideal clients and learning when to say no   23:16 Advice for starting a fractional business and creating repeatable services   25:02 AI, financial analysis, and asking better business questions   26:23 QuickBooks integrations and common bookkeeping challenges   28:19 Small business financial mistakes, owner draws, and personal spending   31:15 Jessica's ideal clients, future plans, and service models   37:44 The businesses Jessica enjoys helping and her ideal referral partners   39:26 Financial education, Substack, business books, and closing thoughts Connect with host Michael Nelson and learn more about Hourglass SaaS: Website: hourglasssaas.com  Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson     Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael    X/Twitter: twitter.com/5tmichael    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2  #FractionalBusiness #Bookkeeping #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessSystems #TheFractionalOperator

  2. Sep 24

    From IT Support to Strategic Technology | The Fractional Operator #13

    Lauren Groff, Owner and CEO of Groff NetWorks, joins The Fractional Operator to discuss 21 years of business evolution, moving from basement-based IT support to strategic technology advisement, and why proactive systems, automation, peer networks, and accountability matter for growing businesses. He shares lessons on escaping the firefighting cycle, using technology strategically, building peer groups, and developing the core values that help guide employees, partners, vendors, and clients. Learn more about Lauren Groff and Groff NetWorks at groffnetworks.com.  0:00 Why Data Is at the Center of Hourglass 2:02 Lauren's 21-Year Business Journey 4:16 From Fractional CFOs to Strategic Technology 6:49 Why SMBs Need More Than AI 9:22 Finding Hidden Technology Opportunities 12:16 Adapting Through 21 Years of Business 14:29 The Evolution Into Cybersecurity 16:45 Helping Businesses Plan What's Next 18:18 Why Peer Networks Drive Growth 21:13 How to Build Your Own Peer Network 24:27 Accountability and Getting Honest Feedback 26:58 Breaking Through Business Growth Ceilings 28:35 Breaking the Firefighting Addiction 31:44 Making Proactive Services Visible to Clients 34:39 Showing Clients the Value of Recurring Work 37:26 The Importance of Core Values 39:48 How to Evaluate a Business Coach 42:06 Where to Find Lauren and Groff NetWorks Want more Hourglass? Connect with Michael today! Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2/ Hourglass SaaS: hourglasssaas.com  #FractionalOperator #FractionalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #TechnologyStrategy #ITLeadership

  3. Sep 10

    Can EOS Help Build a Business That Runs Without You? | The Fractional Operator #12

    How can business owners get out of the weeds, create accountability, and build a company that can operate without them? Expert EOS Implementer Dave Borland joins Mike Nelson to explain the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), including its six key components: Vision, People, Data, Process, Issues, and Traction. As well as how fractional leadership, systems, measurable data, and disciplined execution can help organizations grow, and how business owners can create a business that gives them back their time. Connect with Dave and learn more about EOS at eosworldwide.com. 0:00 Welcome to The Fractional Operator 1:06 Dave Borland's entrepreneurial and fractional background 3:15 Discovering systems, processes, and leadership 5:49 How Dave discovered EOS 8:02 What EOS is: Vision, Traction and Healthy 9:24 Using EOS to turn around a struggling business 10:46 From business owner to fractional EOS Implementer 12:57 EOS Implementer vs. Integrator 15:21 The EOS implementation process and accountability chart 17:10 Rocks, priorities, issue solving and scorecards 21:24 Why EOS is simple—but difficult to execute 23:10 The hard truth business owners sometimes need to hear 27:23 The six key components of the EOS Model 31:59 People, core values and getting the right people in the right seats 33:08 Why data and measurable KPIs matter 35:45 Processes, recurring issues and the “ten-minute problem” 39:13 Traction, meeting cadence and accountability 40:46 How systems can give business owners their time back 42:29 How to know whether your business needs EOS 45:39 Where to connect with Dave Borland Want to learn more about Hourglass?  Website: hourglasssaas.com. Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson  Instagram instagram.com/5tmichael  Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael  Linkedin: linkedin.com/michaelnelson2  #EOS #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FractionalLeadership #BusinessSystems

  4. Sep 3

    Buy Back Your Time to Grow Your Business | The Fractional Operator # 11

    Heather Starke, CEO of Starke Business Services, joins Mike Nelson on The Fractional Operator to explain how fractional financial services, bookkeeping, networking, delegation, and numbers-based advising can help small businesses grow. Heather shares how she built her business from a bookkeeping firm into a broader advisory service, why she networks for resources instead of clients, and why business owners eventually need to “buy back” their time.  Learn more about Heather and Starke Business Services at starkebusinessservices.com.  0:00 Mike introduces The Fractional Operator and Hourglass SaaS 1:37 Heather explains how she started Starke Business Services 3:10 From bookkeeping to controller and advisory services 4:22 Why Heather prefers “numbers-based advising” to fractional CFO 6:30 Starting a business with a newborn during COVID 8:41 How Heather's Chamber experience shaped her business 10:25 Why networking can be more powerful than marketing 11:30 The simple networking strategy: just ask 14:40 How to stand out in a networking room 15:37 Why networking is about follow-up and relationships 20:02 The hardest transition: solopreneur to having staff 23:53 Why business owners need help buying back their time 25:30 The importance of mindset and positivity 31:11 Building an affordable “CFO in a box” 32:40 Why businesses should have a bookkeeper from the start 34:40 “Where did my money go?” Understanding cash flow 37:11 How to connect with Heather and Starke Business Services 38:01 Mike wraps up The Fractional Operator Want to learn more about Hourglass? Visit our website, hourglasssaas.com, and connect with Michael on social media. Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson  Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael  Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2  #FractionalCFO #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Bookkeeping #Entrepreneurship

  5. Aug 20

    AI Tools Every Fractional Operator Should Know | The Fractional Operator #10

    Christopher Crowd, Founder and CTO of Severus AI, joins Michael Nelson to explore AI tools that can help fractional operators automate lead generation, customer communication, scheduling, email, prospect research, CRM workflows, and more. Christopher demonstrates AI agents that can act as virtual receptionists, qualify leads, book appointments, interact with customers, manage email, and connect with business systems.  Learn more about Christopher Crowd and Severus AI at severusai.com.  0:00 Welcome to The Fractional Operator 2:18 Christopher Crowd and Severus AI 4:31 Building AI-powered micro applications 5:00 The AI-powered website receptionist 6:28 Turning websites into virtual salespeople 10:17 AI tools every fractional operator should consider 11:23 AI lead qualification and prospect journeys 14:30 Live AI receptionist and appointment-booking demo 16:25 Connecting AI agents to CRMs and business systems 17:16 AI-powered e-commerce and instant customer service 19:45 AI voice cloning and personalized business voices 20:10 Building an AI chief of staff with Cassy 23:22 Using AI to manage 100+ emails a day 25:06 Creating emails, blogs, and presentations with AI 27:11 Can AI actually take action for you? 32:30 AI-powered prospect discovery and outreach 35:24 CRM, pipeline and business-card automation 38:40 AI phone agents and the seven-day trial Want to learn more about Hourglass? Check out our website hourglasssaas.com or connect with Founder Michael Nelson on social media. Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2 Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael  Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael #FractionalOperator #AIForBusiness #AIAutomation #FractionalBusiness #SeverusAI

  6. Aug 13

    Scaling Your Fractional Business with EOS | The Fractional Operator #9

    In this episode of The Fractional Operator, host Michael Nelson sits down with Sabrina Houser, Founder of Capital CFO+, to discuss her incredible journey from solo operator to managing a robust remote team of 40. Sabrina shares how adapting to client demands helped successfully expand her business from fractional financial services into comprehensive marketing and HR solutions. Discover how implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) transformed her company's accountability, leadership approach, and operational structure, and prepare your fractional business for future growth through AI and automation. Connect with Sabrina and learn more about Capital CFO+ at capitalcfollc.com.  0:00 Introduction & Transparency in Client Portals 2:15 The Evolution of Capital CFO to Capital CFO+ 3:11 Expanding Services Based on Client Needs 5:54 Simplifying Services vs. Managing Complex Offerings 9:11 Implementing EOS and Building Team Accountability 11:45 Leading with Heart vs. Maintaining Performance Standards 13:28 Transitioning from Non-Profit Leader to Full-Time Entrepreneur 15:48 Navigating Covid-19 and the Rise of Fractional Services 17:58 Growing to 40 Employees Across Finance, HR, and Marketing 19:41 The Strategy Behind Hiring Before Capacity Overflow 22:29 Managing Recurring Accounting vs. Project-Based HR 25:05 Overcoming the Challenge of Letting Go and Trusting Experts 30:18 Key Growth Strategies: Referral Partnerships that Work 32:35 Using Core Values to Streamline Hiring and Firing 37:27 How Sabrina Handles Client Retention and Satisfaction 40:13 Tech Stack Essentials: CRMs, Dropbox, and Google Tools 42:31 Leveraging AI and Automation to Elevate Your Team 45:24 Where to Listen, Subscribe, and Connect Want to learn more about Hourglass SaaS?  Website: hourglasssaas.com  Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson  Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichae  Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2/  #FractionalOperator #BusinessScaling #EOS #CapitalCFO #AgencyGrowth

  7. Jul 30

    Fractional Client Success: Retention That Drives Growth | The Fractional Operator #8

    Timothy Judson, Principal and Fractional Client Success Leader at Client Success Advisor, joins Mike Nelson to explain how strategic client success improves retention, uncovers new revenue opportunities, and helps businesses scale sustainably. They discuss customer retention, onboarding, expansion strategies, fractional leadership, enterprise client success, and why understanding customer outcomes is the key to long-term growth. Learn why the fastest path to growth often comes from serving your existing customers better and how fractional operators can build more predictable businesses. Connect with Timothy Judson and learn more about Client Success Advisor at clientsuccessadvisor.com. 00:00 Introduction & Hourglass SaaS 00:49 Meet Timothy Judson 02:02 What "Fractional" Really Means 02:53 What Is Client Success? 05:36 Signs Your Company Needs a Client Success Leader 07:58 Growing Revenue Through Existing Customers 08:29 Customer Success Beyond Retention 12:03 How Timothy Structures Fractional Engagements 15:10 The Client Onboarding Process 19:38 Working Yourself Out of a Job 21:14 Measuring Business Gaps & ROI 24:23 How Timothy Finds Clients 26:44 The Fractional Sales & Marketing Roller Coaster 31:55 Why Cold Calling Still Works 36:38 Trends Driving Fractional Leadership 42:14 Enterprise vs. Small Business Challenges 44:36 Timothy's Best Advice for Fractional Operators 47:40 Where AI Fits into Customer Success 50:07 Final Thoughts & Resources Stay up to date with Blue Collar StartUp! Website: bluecollarstartup.io Facebook: facebook.com/bluecollarstartup Instagram: instagram.com/thebluecollarstartup  #FractionalLeadership #CustomerSuccess #BusinessGrowth #ClientRetention #Entrepreneurship

  8. Jul 23

    How a Fractional CIO Eliminates Business Chaos | The Fractional Operator #7

    What happens when an IT company stops fixing problems and starts preventing them? In this episode of The Fractional Operator, Mike Nelson sits down with Jared Humiston, Owner & President of ADKtechs, to discuss fractional CIO leadership, proactive IT strategy, scaling without chaos, cybersecurity, and why simplifying your business can create happier employees and better customers. Whether you're a fractional executive, MSP owner, or business leader looking to grow sustainably, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on leadership, operations, and long-term business strategy. Learn more about ADKtechs and connect with Jared Humiston at adktechs.com.  00:00 Introduction to The Fractional Operator & ADKtechs 00:58 Jared's background and 21 years building ADKtechs 03:06 How the IT industry evolved from reactive to proactive service 07:06 Finding the ideal customer and saying no to bad fits 11:16 What a Virtual CIO (vCIO) actually does 13:10 Using technology to improve efficiency instead of replacing people 15:04 Why ADKtechs eliminated tiered service packages 18:08 The difficult decision to simplify the business model 21:02 Shrinking from 300 customers to 56—and growing anyway 23:37 Helping clients understand proactive value before problems happen 25:10 Building stronger customer relationships through strategic meetings 27:19 Scaling without creating operational chaos 28:13 Standardization as the key to sustainable growth 30:26 Why onboarding only two new clients each month works 32:02 Fighting chaos through systems and consistency 34:17 Jared's biggest leadership lesson after 21 years in business 37:21 Final thoughts and where to learn more Follow Michael Nelson and Learn More about Hourglass Website: hourglasssaas.com  Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael  Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2 #FractionalOperator #FractionalCIO #BusinessGrowth #CyberSecurity #Leadership

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About

The Fractional Operator, powered by Hourglass, is the podcast for fractional executives, consultants, agency owners, and outsourced service providers looking to grow smarter. Hosted by Mike Nelson, each episode features candid conversations with fractional COOs, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, and operators sharing the software, systems, processes, and lessons driving their success. Discover actionable strategies to scale a fractional practice, improve efficiency, solve operational challenges, and stay ahead in the rapidly growing fractional economy.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Nelson
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Nelson
  • Show Website
    The Fractional Operator