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Melissa Franks
  • 4.5 (8)
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Do I have to be friends with my co workers to get ahead? Should I take the promotion even if I hate the job? Is my salary big enough or am I getting screwed? Do I have to choose between having a family and having a career? I've been laid off now what do I do? I'm Melissa Franks, and I've spent the last 25 years building my corporate career and a family to along the way, there have been bumps and bruises and some epic going down in flames of glory moments. My journey up the corporate ladder found me forging new ground without a safety net. Through my real life stories, experiences, and special guests on the show, I take the mystery out of how to succeed in the corporate world. I'm going to spill all the tea about how decisions are really made, how to tell who the hidden influencers are, and how to realize your full potential while enjoying the process at the same time. Each week, we will dive into a topic where I will share the good, the bad, and the ugly of my experiences and what we can all learn from them. You will walk away each week with a clear set of next steps to take action and improve your circumstances. We are going to speak frankly and freely about when it's time to opt in or to opt out. Opt In is a place where you can come to get practical, actionable advice to propel your career and your life in the direction you want. Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers

  1. 1D AGO

    Do Politics Belong in Business? Why Values Can’t Stay Private

    Do politics belong in business or is that the wrong question entirely? In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks reframes the conversation away from parties, candidates, and debate, and toward what actually matters: values, integrity, and alignment. As political and social issues increasingly collide with the workplace, many business owners believe staying silent is the safest move. But silence isn’t neutral. When businesses claim strong values internally while avoiding public alignment, they create an authenticity gap that erodes trust with employees, customers, and the market. Melissa breaks down why values can’t stay private, how performative neutrality damages brands, and what thoughtful, values-led leadership actually looks like. This episode offers practical filters to help leaders decide when to speak, when to wait, and how to respond without falling into reactive or performative activism. This isn’t about being political. It’s about being credible. The goal isn’t to be liked, it’s to be aligned, authentic, and real. Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    32 min

  2. JAN 28

    New Year, New Distractions: Why Reinvention Is Killing Execution

    January has a way of convincing business owners that something is wrong. You come back from a break, look at your business with fresh eyes, and suddenly everything feels off. The offers feel stale. The strategy feels tired. The urge to change everything kicks in. But here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear: Your business probably isn’t broken. Your focus is. In this episode, Melissa breaks down why “new year, new you” energy is one of the most dangerous mindsets in business, and how it pulls leaders away from the very work that actually drives revenue and stability. Instead of doing the boring, proven, money-making activities, January often becomes a month of distraction: Reworking offers that are already profitableChasing new marketing strategies instead of fixing conversionHiring too soon to relieve pressureOvercomplicating strategy instead of executing consistentlyMelissa walks through the most common distractions she sees business owners fall into at the start of the year, and what strong operators focus on instead. You’ll learn: Why reinvention is often a signal of discomfort, not strategyThe difference between emotional fatigue and operational problemsWhat to audit before you change your offers, marketing, or teamHow to refocus on the unsexy work that actually moves the business forwardWhat disciplined execution really looks like in Q1If you’re feeling the urge to shake everything up right now, this episode will help you slow down, get grounded, and make decisions from data, not January energy. Because growth doesn’t come from starting over. It comes from focusing on what already works and doing it better.   We have a new way to connect to other business owners and get timely hot takes on current events and business trends. Join us over on Substack today. https://oncallcoo.substack.com/subscribe?params=%5Bobject%20Object%5D Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    36 min

  3. JAN 21

    Your Business Isn’t Failing — It’s Growing Up (Why Instability Is a Signal, Not a Problem)

    If your business feels harder right now, even though nothing is technically “wrong”, this episode is for you. In this week’s episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa breaks down why instability is often a sign of growth, not failure. As businesses mature, the systems, decisions, and leadership style that once worked stop being sufficient and that transition can feel uncomfortable, confusing, and even alarming. This episode reframes instability as a signal, not a setback, and explains what mature businesses do differently when things start to feel less predictable. In this episode, we cover: Why founders mistake instability for failureWhat actually causes businesses to feel chaotic as they growHow the founder’s role must evolve at each stageWhy stability is built, not feltThe difference between effort and real progressIf your revenue is solid, your team is capable, but clarity feels harder to come by, you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re likely standing at a transition point—and how you respond now matters.   Join the On Call COO Substack Weekly insight, perspective, and practical guidance for founders navigating growth. 👉 https://oncallcoo.substack.com/subscribe?params=%5Bobject%20Object%5D Book a Free Consultation with On Call COO Get clarity on what’s actually happening in your business—and what to do next. 👉 https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    22 min

  4. JAN 14

    Why Q1 Falls Apart (Even With a Good Plan)

    If January already feels heavier than you expected, it’s not because you didn’t plan well, it’s because most plans break once execution begins. Every year, founders enter January with clear goals, only to find themselves back in the weeds, making rapid-fire decisions while their teams wait for direction. This episode breaks down why that happens and what January is really revealing about your business. In this conversation, I cover: Why high-level plans fail without operational structureHow founders unintentionally become the bottleneckThe role alignment, ownership, and feedback play in executionWhat to fix now so Q1 doesn’t quietly slip awayThis isn’t about working harder or scaling faster, it’s about building a business that can execute with clarity, consistency, and less dependence on any one person. If your business has traction but execution feels heavy, this episode will help you see what needs to change next.   If you want to talk through the challenges, schedule a free consultation today: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    35 min

  5. JAN 7

    How to Break a Business Plateau in 2026: A 30-Day Reset for Real Growth

    If your business hit a plateau in 2025, you’re not failing, your business just outgrew its systems. In this New Year episode, Melissa breaks down why plateaus happen, how to diagnose them, and the exact steps to reset your business for growth in 2026.   You’ll learn: • Why businesses plateau It’s not laziness, it’s a system mismatch. Your offers, team structure, or delivery model may have hit their limits.   The 4-part diagnostic Melissa walks you through how to evaluate: Revenue trends — Identify peaks, valleys, and flatlines.Operational friction — Look at deadlines, priorities, bottlenecks, and team load.Offer maturity — What got you to $1M may not get you to $5M.Leadership maturity — Decision speed, clarity, delegation, and CEO focus.  How to fix the plateau Tighten your operational spine, refresh your offers, build a team that can run without you, and make decisions based on data instead of emotion.   Your 30-day reset plan Audit what’s working and what’s not, reset your systems, pick one growth lever, choose three actions, and start executing.   You’re not stuck, your business is ready for its next version. And with the right reset, you can unlock growth fast.   If you need help with your reset plan, we can help. Book a free consultation with On Call COO at https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    33 min

  6. 12/31/2025

    Three Years of Opting In: Lessons, Evolution, and the Power of Persistence

    In this special anniversary episode, host Melissa Franks celebrates three years of The Opt In Podcast, a journey that began as a mission to mentor women navigating corporate life and has since evolved into a platform for small business owners seeking clarity, strategy, and real talk about entrepreneurship. Melissa takes us on a heartfelt walk down memory lane; from hiding her pregnancy to avoid career setbacks, to breaking free from corporate politics, to the birth of this podcast and the business it helped shape. She shares what she’s learned from three years behind the mic, how the show has grown with her, and why she’s more committed than ever to helping others “opt in” to what matters most. In This Episode: The origin story of The Opt In Podcast, from corporate walls to creative freedom.What it was like to launch a podcast while leaving the C-suite behind.How life’s detours . . . from layoffs to reinvention . . . shaped the evolution of the show.The pivot from corporate career coaching to small business strategy and growth.Why consistency (one episode every week!) has been the secret to staying in the game long term.Melissa’s reflections on growth, communication, and staying authentic through change.A recommitment to transparency, honesty, and evolution as The Opt In Podcast moves into its fourth year.Connect with Melissa: 🌐 www.melissafranks.com   🎧 Subscribe to The Opt In Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    26 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    AI Won’t Save Your Business, It Will Save Your Time: How to Use AI the Right Way in 2026

    AI has exploded in the business world, and most founders are still confused about how to actually use it. In this episode, Melissa breaks down what AI is good at, where it completely falls apart, and how small business owners can integrate it without chaos, overwhelm, or bad decisions. Drawing from decades of experience in machine learning and automation (long before “AI” was a buzzword), Melissa shares the four categories of work AI excels at, the strategic functions it will never replace, and why your operational foundations matter more than any tool. You’ll learn: The real emotional and operational challenges founders face with AIWhat AI can actually do well: admin, content support, customer ops, light analyticsThe human functions AI will never replace: strategy, prioritization, leadership, accountability Melissa’s Founder–COO–AI Triangle for using AI the right way in 2026 A simple readiness checklist before integrating any AI into your businessThe biggest integration mistakes small businesses make and how to avoid them Melissa closes with a reminder: AI isn’t a system—it’s a tool. If you’re overwhelmed, you don’t have a tech problem. You have an operations problem. Ready to build stronger systems and integrate AI the smart way? Book a consultation at https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    40 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Your 2026 Survival Plan: The Small Business Guide to Planning in Uncertain Times

    As 2025 wraps, many business owners are feeling the wobble, slower demand, rising costs, and uncertainty about what 2026 will look like. In this episode, Melissa explains why the economy feels off, why small businesses feel the impact more intensely, and how to regain control with her Wobbly Economy Planning Framework. Four planning mistakes to avoid Trying to cut your way to growthCreating one rigid planFreezing hiring and burning out your teamMaking pricing decisions too lateThe Wobbly Economy Planning Framework Melissa walks you through creating three scenario-based plans, Best Case, Likely Case, and Worst Case, plus how to review your offers, build an expense strategy, set cash and margin guardrails, and choose the right KPIs. Your role as the leader Your energy sets the tone. Your team and clients don’t need certainty, they need clarity, confidence, and a steady path forward. Need help building your 2026 plan? Book a free consultation at www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices planning in a wobbly economy is too important to do alone. Connect with Melissa: Watch the Episodes on Youtube Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks Schedule a call: melissafranks.com

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Do I have to be friends with my co workers to get ahead? Should I take the promotion even if I hate the job? Is my salary big enough or am I getting screwed? Do I have to choose between having a family and having a career? I've been laid off now what do I do? I'm Melissa Franks, and I've spent the last 25 years building my corporate career and a family to along the way, there have been bumps and bruises and some epic going down in flames of glory moments. My journey up the corporate ladder found me forging new ground without a safety net. Through my real life stories, experiences, and special guests on the show, I take the mystery out of how to succeed in the corporate world. I'm going to spill all the tea about how decisions are really made, how to tell who the hidden influencers are, and how to realize your full potential while enjoying the process at the same time. Each week, we will dive into a topic where I will share the good, the bad, and the ugly of my experiences and what we can all learn from them. You will walk away each week with a clear set of next steps to take action and improve your circumstances. We are going to speak frankly and freely about when it's time to opt in or to opt out. Opt In is a place where you can come to get practical, actionable advice to propel your career and your life in the direction you want. Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Franks
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    164
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Opt In
  • Show Website
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