If you have ever felt like you’re the glue holding your business together or that stepping away for even a day would send everything into chaos, this conversation is a must listen! Jennifer and Robin are joined by seasoned business strategist, Melissa Franks, to unpack one of the most important and often overlooked pieces of sustainable growth: operational strategy. Melissa has even served as their own Fractional COO, guiding them through tough decisions and intentional enhancements within Tique. In this episode, she shares how to spot the red flags that your business is stuck in survival mode, the difference between running your business and being run by it, and how to build a business that scales without sacrificing your sanity. Plus, you’ll walk away with tools you can implement today to set yourself up for long term growth!

About Melissa Franks:

Melissa is a seasoned business strategist, Fractional COO, podcast host and speaker, and transformation leader with a track record of scaling businesses and driving operational excellence with a people-first approach that mobilizes teams for unprecedented results. A former Fortune 500 executive and OnCon Icon “Top 100 COO” Winner (2022-2024), she has led billion-dollar IT transformations, M&A initiatives, and revenue growth strategies, blending corporate expertise with small business agility. As the founder of On Call COO, she empowers female entrepreneurs by optimizing operations and increasing profitability with her knack for helping business owners break through growth plateaus, implement scalable strategies, and build profitable, sustainable companies. Passionate about women in leadership and business innovation, Melissa is also an advocate for high-performing women, helping them design lives they love while achieving balance and success. She is a strong voice for domestic violence awareness and family court reform. When not strategizing, she enjoys running, traveling, and cheering on her three sons at their sporting events.

instagram.com/melissa_franks

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Today we will cover:

(02:10) Melissa’s background; from corporate to Fractional COO
(04:30) Why operational strategy is the secret to sustainable growth
(13:35) The mindset shift from scrappy to strategic
(20:40) The four pillars every business needs to define
(28:20) How to find out where your time and energy is really going
(33:50) Separating your personal identity from your business
(39:30) People, process, and tech; the trifecta of operational success
(47:50) Building a business that works for you

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139. Why You Need A True Operations Strategy To Scale with Melissa Franks

TIQUE Talks: The Business Podcast for Travel Advisors