How a 55-Year-Old Client Services Director Became a Fractional CMO

Lucas and Luna explore the fractional executive path through the story of Diane, a 55-year-old former client services director at a mid-sized ad agency. After a layoff, she pivoted to fractional CMO work, landing three retainer clients within five months. The hosts break down her transition: how she identified her niche (B2B professional services firms with $10-50 million in revenue), how she priced her engagements (a monthly retainer model starting at $8,500 per client), and how she structured her contracts to avoid scope creep. They also discuss the broader trend of companies hiring fractional executives to access senior talent without full-time cost, and the practical steps listeners can take to build a fractional practice, including building a client pipeline through former colleagues, setting up a simple LLC, and using a standardized statement of work template. The episode closes with a reflection on the lifestyle advantages of fractional work for late-career professionals seeking control and flexibility. #FractionalExecutive #LateCareerTransition #CMO #ClientServicesDirector #B2B #ProfessionalServices #RetainerModel #ScopeCreep #LLC #StatementOfWork #LayoffRecovery #Flexibility #Control #Diane #LucasAndLuna #LateCareerConversations #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo