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Opt In
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
Episodes
124 episodes
Project Management Tools Demystified: Pick the Right One for Your Business
Is your inbox overflowing? Are you losing track of tasks, deadlines, or team updates? Whether you're solo or managing a growing team, this episode is your go-to guide for choosing the right project management tool to reduce chaos and reclaim co...
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32:35
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10 Real-World Strategies to Prepare Your Business for Uncertainty
Uncertainty is the only certainty in business—and the past week proved that in spades. From escalating tariffs to market chaos, small business owners are feeling the pressure. In this episode, Melissa unpacks 10 concrete strategies to help your...
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27:39
8 Smart Strategies to Sustain Your Business Growth
Is your business growing faster than you expected? Congratulations! But now what? In this episode, Melissa shares eight crucial lessons to help business owners navigate rapid growth without crashing and burning. Drawing from her exp...
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39:45
The Power (and Problem) of Accountability: Why It Matters More Than You Think
In this episode, Melissa tackles the hot topic of accountability—what it is, why it's essential, and how its absence can have a ripple effect from the highest levels of government to your neighborhood school drop-off line.Using a current...
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33:23
From Rock Bottom to Predictable Growth: My Journey to a Thriving Business
What does it really take to go from “no revenue and no plan” to a thriving, predictable, and growing business? In this reflective solo episode, Melissa opens up about the first quarter of 2025 and the intense, behind-the-scenes journey that got...
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27:42
10 Things Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Are you thinking about starting a business? Already running one but unsure what to do next? In this episode, Melissa spills the tea on 10 things every business owner should know to grow faster, avoid costly mistakes, and make better decisions.<...
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32:07
Why Women in Leadership Make the World Better
In this episode, Melissa dives deep into the significance of International Women's Day and why we can’t let it be ignored. Melissa shares her personal experiences as a woman navigating corporate leadership, the impact of Diversity, Equity, and ...
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29:53
Navigating Emotions in Small Business
In this episode, Melissa explores the emotional landscape of small business ownership and how to navigate it effectively. Whether you're a business owner or working for one, emotions play a significant role in daily operations. Melissa shares i...
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25:37
The Top 5 Execution Pitfalls in Small Business – And How to Overcome Them
Are you frustrated by a lack of progress in your business? Wondering why your team isn't taking initiative or getting things done? You're not alone.In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, host Melissa Franks dives into the top five reason...
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34:05
The Biggest Mistakes Seven-Figure Business Owners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
In this episode, Melissa, breaks down the biggest mistakes that seven-figure business owners make—and why these missteps keep them from scaling to eight figures. If you're a business owner or working inside a business that's growing fast, this ...
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32:19
The Fight for DEI: Why It Still Matters in Business and Beyond
In this episode, Melissa dives deep into the controversial and critical topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). With recent movements to dismantle DEI policies, Melissa shares a passionate and thought-provoking perspective on why these...
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32:44
5 Key Metrics Every Business Owner Must Track
In this episode, Melissa breaks down the power of data in business and why ignoring it can create unnecessary drama. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by financials and metrics, this episode will give you a simple framework to start tracking the ...
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33:53
Breaking Free: Finding Authenticity in Personal and Business Branding
In this episode, Melissa takes you on a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, transformation, and branding authenticity. Sharing insights from her life and career, Melissa dives into the intersection of personal identity and professional b...
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33:53
Take Back Your Business: Finding Joy and Balance as an Entrepreneur
In this episode, Melissa dives into a critical issue many business owners face: falling out of love with their business. Drawing on her 25 years of experience, Melissa shares insights on:The root causes of burnout: Why business owners fe...
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30:50
Why You Shouldn’t Make Major Changes to Your Business in January
In this episode, Melissa dives into the challenges and opportunities that January brings for small business owners. Reflecting on her extensive experience, Melissa explains why January is not the time to make significant changes in your busines...
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29:18
Blake Lively, Workplace Harassment, and Lessons for Small Business Owners
In this episode, Melissa dives into a timely and critical conversation about workplace harassment, inspired by recent events involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Melissa explores the implications of these events for small business owners ...
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26:07
Mastering Metrics: How to Track What Matters for Explosive Growth
In this episode, Melissa breaks down the essentials of business performance metrics. If you’ve ever asked, “What data should I track to grow my business?” this episode is for you. Melissa shares her top eight must-track metrics, why they matter...
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35:50
Smart Team Building: Growing Profitably Without Breaking the Bank
Building a team is one of the most exciting yet challenging parts of growing a business. But bigger isn’t always better. In this episode Melissa breaks down the myths and realities of team building, sharing actionable strategies to grow your te...
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32:20
Holiday Gifting Done Right: What Employees and Clients Actually Want
In this holiday-themed episode, Melissa tackles the age-old question for business owners: How do you show appreciation during the holiday season without wasting money or missing the mark? From company swag to holiday parties, Melissa shares har...
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25:44
Closing the Year Strong and Prepping for 2025
In this episode Melissa shares actionable strategies to wrap up 2024 and enter 2025 with clarity and purpose. As the year-end approaches, Melissa discusses the common challenges business owners face—whether you're pushing to hit your goals, tak...
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21:47
Unlocking Team Potential: Clarity, Accountability, and Leadership Excellence
Melissa dives into one of the most pressing challenges businesses face: team dynamics and performance. As the busy season shines a spotlight on every crack in the system, Melissa shares how leaders can create clarity, foster accountability, and...
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31:10
Embracing Disruption: A Guide to Thriving in Business with Curiosity and Resilience
In this episode, Melissa dives deep into the mindset shift required to transform your business from survival mode to thriving in an era of constant disruption.Melissa shares:The contrasting leadership models in business—traditiona...
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35:13
6 Reasons Your Team’s Morale is Low (And How to Fix It)
In this episode Melissa dives into the often-overlooked challenges of low team morale and how it impacts business success. If you've noticed team members showing up late, losing enthusiasm, or just not performing as they used to, this episode i...
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38:10
Empowered Resilience: A Call to Women in Business
In this powerful episode of The Opt In Podcast, host Melissa Franks steps into a space she rarely does—politics. Reflecting on the recent election results and the unexpected outcome, Melissa shares her personal journey as a female business owne...
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27:52