Three years into leading D-tree International, I was working 70-hour weeks and still felt like I was falling behind. We were growing fast—new programs, new funding, new team members joining every quarter. But growth felt chaotic instead of intentional.
The problem wasn't capacity. It was clarity.
I needed someone who could step in and help build the operational backbone the organization required. But we weren't ready for a full-time COO, and honestly, I wasn't ready to give up that much control.
What I needed was what I now provide as a Fractional COO—a strategic operating partner who could work alongside me to create structure without over-engineering it.
What Does a Fractional COO Actually Do?
A Fractional COO isn't a part-time employee. They're a strategic partner who works with you 10-20 hours per week to build operational clarity and systems that support sustainable growth.
In my practice, this looks different for every client, but here's what I typically focus on:
Week one through three: I'm diagnosing where the bottlenecks actually are. Most founders think they know, but often the real issues are hiding underneath. I'm reviewing how decisions get made, where information gets stuck, and which processes exist only in the founder's head.
Months two through six: We're building the right-sized systems. Maybe that's implementing a simple but effective project management approach. Maybe it's creating hiring processes that actually identify the right people. Often it's establishing meeting rhythms that create accountability without drowning everyone in check-ins.
Month six and beyond: I'm working myself out of the job. The goal is always to build internal capacity. That might mean developing your existing team members, helping you hire the right full-time operations person, or simply creating systems that run without constant oversight.
The key word here is alongside. I'm not taking over operations. I'm helping you build them.
Is This Right for Your Stage of Growth?
I work with organizations typically in two situations:
You're at 10-50 people and everything feels like it's held together with duct tape. You're successful, but you're spending all your time managing instead of leading. The systems that got you here won't get you where you're going.
Or you're earlier—maybe 5-15 people—but you can see the chaos coming. You're proactive enough to build structure before you desperately need it.
What I've learned is that most founders wait too long. They think they need to be bigger before they deserve operational support. But the truth is, good systems are what enable sustainable growth. They don't come after success—they create the conditions for it.
Here's how you know you might be ready: You find yourself redoing work that others on your team have already done. You're the bottleneck for most decisions. You're working more hours but feeling less productive. Your team keeps coming back to you for answers you thought you'd already provided.
What Does It Actually Cost?
Fractional COO engagements typically run between $3,000-8,000 per month, depending on the scope and complexity of the work. That sounds like a lot until you consider the alternatives.
A full-time COO at the senior level costs $150,000-250,000+ in salary alone, plus benefits, equity, and the commitment of a full-time hire. More importantly, you might not need someone full-time yet, and you definitely don't need someone learning your business on your dime.
A fractional arrangement gives you immediate access to senior-level operational thinking at a fraction of the cost. You get someone who has built systems before, who has made the mistakes already, and who can help you avoid the common pitfalls that slow growth.
Most of my clients work with me for 8-18 months. Some continue longer because the value is clear and the cost is manageable. Others transition to full-time internal hires when they're ready for that level of investment.
The Real Question
What is a fractional COO? It's operational partnership that grows with you instead of constraining you.
But here's the real question: If you're spending your time managing operational chaos instead of leading your organization forward, what is that costing you? Not just in hours, but in momentum, team satisfaction, and the opportunities you're missing because you're too busy keeping everything running.
The right operational support doesn't just solve today's problems. It builds the foundation for the growth you're working toward.