When to Hire a Fractional COO - The Exact Number I Use (Interview on Business Growth Podcast) Artwork

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When to Hire a Fractional COO - The Exact Number I Use (Interview on Business Growth Podcast)

August 12, 2026

0:00 | 23:40

When Should You Hire a Fractional COO?

Are you googling "how do I know when it's time to bring in a fractional COO" at 11pm because the business feels chaotic again?

Here's the thing: it's not about being big enough. It's not about "someday." It's not even about how hard you're hustling. It's about whether you've proven a repeatable model — and there's a specific number that tells you when you're there.

I sat down as a guest on the Business Growth Podcast with Leonard DeBeer and gave founders the exact revenue framework I use, no vague "it depends."

Spoiler: it's not $1 million. It's not even close.

By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly where your business needs to sit before a fractional COO can actually move the needle for you — and you'll know the difference between a COO who "talks at you" and one who rolls up their sleeves and gets it done. You'll also hear the real numbers behind how On Call COO grew from $9,000 in cash collected in 2023 to a $3M run rate this year, and why 90% of our clients find us through paid ads instead of referrals.

In This Episode:

[01:30] Why the fractional COO market is underserved
[03:00] The biggest misconception about fractional COO support
[04:30] The $1M–$3M framework for knowing when it's time
[06:00] How On Call COO actually got started
[09:00] What drove rapid growth once demand outpaced supply
[12:00] Why paid advertising beats referrals for a service most people don't know they need
[17:30] Goals for the rest of the year: retention, referral partners, brand
[21:00] Book recommendations: Big Magic and Psychology of Money

Your homework: Before you do anything else this week, figure out which range you're actually in — still proving the model, or repeating it consistently above $3M. Then book a free consultation and let's map your next step from there.

Listen to Leonard DeBeer on The Business Growth Podcast

Connect with Melissa:

Book a free consultation with Melissa → https://www.melissafranks.com

Learn more about On Call COO fractional services → https://www.melissafranks.com

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LinkedIn: Melissa Franks