Fractional COOs to the Rescue

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/ 

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 

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/  

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/

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.