Opt In: Recent Episodes
Melissa Franks
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.
Have you ever had a record-breaking month and then wondered where all the cash actually went?
It's not that you're bad with money, and it's not that your business is failing. Your top line is climbing and you're still watching your bank account like a hawk before payroll runs. That's not a revenue problem — it's a blind spot problem. The number you've been chasing isn't the number that tells you the truth.
The most dangerous blind spot isn't the one big bad decision — it's the small, invisible ones you never notice piling up until you're already in the red.
By the end of this episode, you'll be able to name the three financial blind spots quietly draining growing businesses, understand why your revenue number can't be trusted on its own, and know exactly which four numbers to start tracking — no CFO, no finance degree, no fear required.
In This Episode:
- Why revenue is a vanity metric and what actually reflects the health of your business
- Blind spot #1: the gap between booking revenue and collecting cash
- Blind spot #2: margin dilution from discounting, scope creep, and slowly rising costs
- Blind spot #3: the owner's blended blind spot — draws, commingled expenses, and tax strategies
- Why your bookkeeper and accountant won't catch this for you (and why that's not their job)
- The simple financial dashboard: cash runway, gross margin, AR aging, and burn rate
- How to build an owner's mindset around cost vs. return before every decision
Before your next weekly check-in, pull up your last P&L and answer one question honestly: what is your actual gross margin, by product or by client — not "it's good," an actual number.
Ready to build your own financial dashboard? Book a free consultation with Melissa and get clarity on your cash and margin.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Do you keep hiring the wrong person, someone who looked exactly right on paper and in the interview, and then turned out to be someone else entirely once they were on your team?
This isn't about getting better at reading people in the interview room. It's about making sure the wrong people never make it into that room in the first place. After 30 years and more than 10,000 interviews, Melissa has learned that the real work of hiring well happens before the conversation ever starts, in the application, the resume, and the cross-checks most small businesses skip entirely.
One resume-review habit alone, checking whether achievements come with actual numbers attached, will eliminate half your bad hires before you ever pick up the phone.
By the end of this episode, you'll have a repeatable, five-step screening system you can run before any interview: a 30-minute application that filters out easy-apply candidates, an optional video submission that reveals how someone really shows up, a way to safely (and skeptically) use AI for screening, a resume-reading checklist that catches red flags in under five minutes, and a method for cross-checking a resume against LinkedIn that exposes inconsistencies most hiring managers never think to look for.
In This Episode:
- Why Melissa's real interview count is closer to tens of thousands, not 10,000
- The assumptions this process requires you to have already made (builder vs. steady-state, job description, comp)
- How to build an application that takes 30 minutes and why that length matters
- What an optional video submission tests that a resume and interview can't
- How to request and verify work product samples
- Using knockout questions and AI to sort applicants, and why you have to check the work
- A real story about Claude's candidate screening getting it backwards, and what caused it
- The three-part resume read: typos, data-backed achievements, and role duration
- The one exception to the "duration over title" rule (the VP vs. Director story)
- Why resume and LinkedIn need to match, and what a mismatch tells you
- How to spot an AI-written application, and why that's a dealbreaker
- Why you can't outsource the hiring decision itself to AI
Homework: Before your next round of hiring, pull up your current job application and time how long it actually takes someone to complete. If it's under 10 minutes, it's not doing its job, go back and add the open-ended questions this episode walks through.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Have you ever spent the quiet minutes of the morning, or the late hours of the night, asking yourself: why am I even doing this?
This episode isn't about finding your "why." It's not about your purpose, and it's not about your values. Melissa reframes the question entrepreneurs actually need to answer: not "why," but what your driver is — the specific, sometimes unflattering dream that pushed you to start in the first place.
Because here's the thing most founders get wrong: it's not burnout, and it's not hustle culture that makes you hate a profitable business. It's not even knowing your "why" that's missing. It's not identifying a value system — it's never having named the actual driver behind the leap, and having no way to tell whether you've already hit it.
Melissa shares the two very unglamorous goals that drove her to start On Call COO, a five-minute conversation that helped a founder realize she'd already achieved everything she set out for, and the decision she made this spring to pull back her own hours — on purpose, eyes wide open — to be present for her kids this summer.
In This Episode:
- Kristen Cavallari's "I'd hate my life" comment on Emma Grede's Aspire podcast, and why it's the smartest thing a founder can say
- Why "what's your why" is a question Melissa can't stand — and what to ask instead
- Melissa's own driver behind starting On Call COO
- What happens when you don't know your driver (and start chasing other people's results instead)
- A live coaching moment: how one founder realized in five minutes that she'd already won
- Why Melissa chose to pull back this summer, even while the business was growing
- How to build a real plan before you chase your next big goal
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Have you hired the same role more than once and watched it still not work out, even with genuinely talented people? If your answer is yes, that's not a talent problem.
In this episode of the Opt In Podcast, Melissa Franks tackles one of the most common hiring mistakes small business owners make: assuming an A player is an A player everywhere. Not a question of skill, but of fit. There are only two operating modes at work, builder and steady state, and hiring the wrong one into a role sets even the most talented person up to fail.
If your job description hasn't changed since the last time this role turned over, someone is paying for that gap. Spoiler: it's your business.
Melissa breaks down why founders keep hiring skilled people into the wrong seat (it's not bad luck, it's an undefined role), walks through the two-column audit you can run on any role this week, and gives you the exact framework for figuring out whether the seat needs a builder or a steady state person, before you ever post the job again.
In This Episode:
- Why "I want the best person" is the wrong starting point for a job description
- The real difference between a builder and a steady state person, and why it has nothing to do with seniority or department
- The two-column exercise to diagnose exactly why past hires in this role didn't work
- Why a job description without defined performance metrics guarantees your new hire defaults to what worked at their last job
- How to figure out which one you are as a founder, and why that determines who you hire next
- Why your best people quietly leave, and it's rarely about the money
- Your homework: one role, one audit, one honest answer.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
56.9% of new business owners say they started a business to be their own boss. 48.8% say they left because they couldn't stomach corporate America anymore.
In this episode of the Opt IN Podcast, Melissa Franks breaks down these two very different reasons people walk away from the 9-to-5: the independent seeker and the burned-out escapee, and the blind spots each one carries straight into their new business.
This episode is a wake-up call for anyone running their business like an employee instead of an owner: doing all the work, approving every email, never stepping away. Melissa walks through how to spot it, why it's quietly dangerous to your business's stability, and the three questions she asks every new client before talking about revenue goals or team size.
If you left corporate chasing freedom and ended up with a different kind of cage, this episode is your reset.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- The two real reasons people leave corporate America, and the different blind spots each one creates
- Why independent seekers underestimate how much structure was actually holding their old job together
- Why burned-out escapees risk rebuilding the exact problem they ran from, just inside a new container
- The difference between operating like an "owner" and operating like an "employee" inside your own business
- The warning signs that you're still the operating system of your business (and why that's dangerous)
- Why managing yourself is harder than managing anyone else, and how to build the structure for it
- What corporate America actually gave you that nobody admits to missing
- The three questions Melissa asks every client before she'll talk about revenue or headcount
- Why Melissa doesn't believe in "finding your why", and what she asks instead
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
When did you last raise your prices? If you have to think about it, that's your answer.
In this episode of the Opt In Podcast, Melissa Franks tackles one of the most avoided conversations in small business: pricing. Not setting prices for the first time, but revisiting them after you've grown, delivered results, and become exponentially more valuable than you were when you first put a number on your work.
If your rates look the same as they did two or three years ago, someone is paying for that gap. Spoiler: it's you.
Melissa breaks down why founders chronically underprice (it's not the market, it's fear dressed up as strategy), walks through the 4-question pricing audit you can run on your business this week, and gives you the exact framework for raising rates without losing the clients you actually want to keep.
In This Episode
- Why founders set prices when they were least confident, and never revisit them
- The three stories you're telling yourself to avoid the conversation (and why none of them are true)
- The math that shows how underpricing compounds over time, and what it's actually costing you per client, per year
- The 4-question pricing gut check to run on every engagement you offer
- How to raise your rates without burning client relationships: the grandfathering window, the 30-60 day notice approach, and how to communicate the change with confidence instead of apology
- Why some clients will leave when you raise prices, and why that's not a loss
- Your homework: one service, one date, one decision
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
You hired the experts. You've got a fractional CFO, a fractional CMO, maybe a part-time ops manager and a media buyer. You did everything right, and yet nothing is moving. Decisions are stalled. Responses take days. You're working more than before. And somehow, you became the glue holding it all together.
You didn't make bad hires. You made a structural mistake, and in this episode, Melissa Franks breaks down exactly what went wrong and how to fix it.
Fractional support is a strategic model, not an operational one. The moment you try to use it for both, the whole thing breaks down. Melissa walks through the two lanes every growing business needs, the strategy lane and the execution lane, and explains why confusing the two is costing founders time, money, and sanity.
Whether you're running an all-contractor team or trying to figure out your next hire, this episode will give you a clear framework for when fractional is your best move — and when it's time to bring someone on full-time.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- The difference between strategy-layer and execution-layer roles — and why mixing them up stalls everything
- The 5 ways an all-fractional team breaks down (and why it's not anyone's fault)
- When fractional support is your highest-leverage move — and when it isn't
- The 48-hour gut check: a simple test to determine whether a role needs to be full-time
- Why a seasoned fractional executive at 15 hours/month can outperform a full-time hire you can't yet afford
- The football coach analogy that explains exactly how fractional executives should function in your business
- How to audit your current team and identify where your next full-time hire should be
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
What if the biggest thing holding your business back is you?
In this episode of the Opt In Podcast, Melissa Franks shares the framework she calls "firing yourself first", a counterintuitive approach to growth that she recently delivered to a room of six- and seven-figure entrepreneurs. If your business has plateaued, if every decision routes through you, or if you can't take a real vacation without something breaking, this episode is your wake-up call.
Melissa breaks down exactly why delegation alone doesn't work (and actually creates more work in the short term), and walks you through the decision audit matrix that reveals where you're bleeding time, money, and momentum. You'll learn the three-phase handoff method, from task to process to authority, that's the real key to scaling, plus why "good enough" beats perfect every time when it comes to letting go.
You'll also hear the story of a former client, a 12-person business whose revenue had been stuck at the same level for three years, and how getting the right people in the right chairs with real authority unlocked her growth and a fully unplugged three-week vacation to the Amalfi Coast.
In this episode:
- Why you — not your strategy — are the bottleneck
- The math that proves decision-making is costing you a full quarter of your year
- How to use the 2x2 decision audit to find what to hand off now
- The 3-phase authority handoff (and why most founders stop at phase one)
- The 70% rule that will finally let you delegate without guilt
Your homework: pick one recurring decision from your danger zone and hand it off — with full authority — this week.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
What does it actually take to leave your business for a week, without it falling apart?
In this episode of The Opt-in Podcast, Melissa Franks shares the exact six-month plan she built to step away from On Call COO during one of the most personally demanding weeks of her life. Recorded in real time, Melissa walks through every decision, every near-miss, and every mindset shift that made it possible to unplug and come back stronger.
Spoiler: while she was out, they secured a six-figure client renewal.
If you've ever pushed off a vacation because you're afraid the business won't survive without you, this episode is your permission slip, and your playbook.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- Why you need to put the date on the calendar first, before you have a plan
- The "what if I disappeared tomorrow?" exercise that reveals every business vulnerability
- How to do a ruthless calendar audit and what Melissa cut 3 months out (including a trade show)
- The F1-style practice run strategy: how to test your team while you're still there to catch mistakes
- Why you should notify clients and partners two months in advance, and exactly what to say
- How to engineer project milestones so delivery deadlines don't land during your absence
- The gradual pullback method: how to stop doing work and start coaching your team in the final weeks
- What "checking in" can look like without derailing your rest (Melissa's actual approach)
- Why asking your team for help before you cancel the vacation is always the right move
Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with the business owner in your life who hasn't taken a real vacation in years.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Everyone is talking about AI, but is the hype matching reality in your small business? This week, Melissa Franks is pulling back the curtain on what AI actually is, where it can genuinely move the needle, and where blind trust in it could cost you everything.
As a technologist who's been building automation systems since before most AI tools existed, Melissa brings something most AI conversations are missing: lived experience and historical context. She was building bots, automation layers, and intelligent systems long before ChatGPT had a user interface, and that perspective changes everything about how she sees today's AI boom.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why AI isn't actually new, and what that means for how you use it
- The "lipstick on a pig" truth about the tools everyone is obsessing over (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot)
- Why using AI in areas where you lack expertise is genuinely dangerous, and could push your business toward bankruptcy
- The two best use cases for AI in a small business right now
- Why hiring an "AI architect" without the right pedigree is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make
- How to prompt AI correctly so it actually gives you useful, accurate output
- Why 70% of current AI platforms will disappear, and what that means for your tech stack
The biggest takeaway: AI is a powerful tool in the hands of someone who already knows what they're doing. In the hands of someone using it to replace expertise they don't have, it's a liability.
This episode is equal parts how-to guide and cautionary tale — and it's a conversation every small business owner needs to have right now.
Feeling like you need a real conversation about AI in your business? On Call COO is actively booking AI strategy consultations. Whether you're just getting started or already knee-deep in tools you don't fully trust, let's talk. Book your free consultation — link in show notes.
🔗 Book a free consultation with On Call COO
Connect with Melissa:
- Website: melissafranks.com
- LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
- Instagram: @youroncallcoo
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Last summer, I watched a business owner sit on a beach in Hawaii with her face buried in her phone at 8pm because her team needed her to approve a $200 refund. That's not a vacation. That's working in a different time zone with a worse Wi-Fi connection.
If you're already pre-stressing about how the next 12 weeks are going to go, this episode is for you. We're skipping the usual advice — no out-of-office templates, no SOP documentation, no "fortify your business" generalities. Instead, I'm walking through the 5 unusual moves I help my fractional COO clients make every year so they can actually unplug — and most founders have never heard any of them.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why running a "Ghost Week" in stealth (without telling your team) is the only honest test of whether your business can run without you — and the surprise story of a "stealth leader" one client discovered hiding in plain sight
- How to bank pre-decisions instead of writing more SOPs — and why the Ritz-Carlton $200 rule is the model your business is missing.
- The one reverse delegation question to ask each of your direct reports before you leave — and what their answers will reveal about the bottlenecks you didn't know existed.
- Why you should book the non-refundable trip BEFORE your business is ready (and how this "burn the boats" approach forces the hires, fires, and decisions you've been procrastinating for years)
- The return strategy almost no one talks about: why coming back on a Thursday instead of a Monday — and blocking your first three days — is the difference between a vacation that sticks and one that disappears the moment you walk back in
The thread running through all five: every one of these shifts the question from "how do I prevent problems while I'm gone?" to "what does my business reveal about itself when I'm not there?" That second question is the one that builds a business you can step away from — not just this summer, but for the rest of the time you own it.
ABOUT THE HOST
Melissa Franks is the founder of On Call COO, a fractional COO services firm that helps founders get out of the weeds, operate more efficiently, and build businesses that can run without them. She is not a coach. She is not a consultant. She is an operator who loves running businesses, and she helps founders do the same.
Learn more: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Your first hire was probably fine. It's hire #2 where founders go off the rails — and it's quietly costing them years of growth.
In this episode of the Optin Podcast, Melissa Franks unpacks the most common (and most expensive) hiring mistake she sees founders make: hiring another doer when what they actually need is an integrator. If your team has grown, your revenue is up, but you're MORE buried than you were before — this episode names exactly why, and shows you the way out.
You'll learn:
- Why hire #2 is the trap (and how to tell if you've already fallen into it)
- The three roles every business needs — and the one founders almost always skip
- A simple framework for who to hire next at $500K, $1M, and $2M in revenue
- The calendar audit you can do this week to know — with zero guessing — what kind of hire your business actually needs
- Why a fractional COO often pays for themselves in 60-90 days at the right stage
- The mindset shift that gets founders out of the bottleneck for good
This is the episode for any founder who's said the words "I just need another set of hands" lately. Spoiler: you don't. You need something better.
If this episode hits close to home, Melissa is offering a free consultation to walk through the calendar exercise with you — no pitch, no pressure, just clarity on your next right hire. Book at melissafranks.com.
Resources & Links
- Book a free consultation with Melissa → https://www.melissafranks.com
- Learn more about On Call COO fractional services → https://www.melissafranks.com
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
If you blinked and somehow it's already May, and you have no idea if you're on track to hit your goals this year, you're not alone, and you're not behind. There's one thing you need to do this week, and you need to do it fast.
In this episode, Melissa Franks unpacks why May is the most overlooked month in a founder's year, and why it's the only clean window you have to course-correct before summer slows everything down. You'll walk away with a simple, repeatable mid-Q2 audit you can run on your business in less than an hour.
What you'll learn in this episode
- Why May is a setup month, not a coast month, and the "summer cliff" most founders never see coming
- The 5 numbers every founder should be looking at right now (revenue vs. plan, gross margin trend, cash on hand, Q3 pipeline coverage, and team capacity)
- The 3 honest questions to ask about Q1 and Q2 so far: what worked, what broke, what you've been avoiding
- How to find the one bottleneck that's actually slowing your business down (and why fixing five things means fixing nothing)
- Two real client stories, one that almost hit a brick wall from succeeding too fast, and one that nearly went bankrupt from flying blind
- The 4 things to lock in before June so your business runs without you all summer
- How to install a weekly operating rhythm that carries you past summer and into a calmer Q4
Want help running this audit on your business?
Book a free 30-minute Mid-Year Audit consultation with our team. Walk through your 5 numbers and pinpoint your one bottleneck before summer slips away. Visit www.melissafranks.com to grab a time.
About the show
The Optin Podcast is where business owners go from surviving to thriving. Hosted by Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO — fractional COO services for founders who want to get out of the weeds, build scalable operations, and make faster decisions backed by real data.
If this episode hit home, follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share it with the founder friend who keeps saying "I'll look at the numbers later."
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
If you started your business for freedom and somewhere along the way it started running you instead of you running it, this episode is for you. Melissa walks through why founders really stay stuck in the weeds (it's almost never the reason you think), introduces the four-tier CEO Time Audit framework, and gives you a 7-day assignment that will change how you spend every hour of your week. Plus: a free worksheet that does the math for you.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- The three unmistakable signs you're operating in the weeds (not just busy)
- Why "just delegate" is useless advice, and the five real reasons founders stay stuck
- How to calculate what your hour is actually worth (and why you're hemorrhaging money you don't see)
- The four-tier CEO Time Audit framework: $1,000 / $100 / $25 / $10 per hour work
- The three-step process to free up 10–20 hours a week: audit, categorize, reassign
- The honest truth about why this exercise feels uncomfortable, and why that's the point
CEO Time Audit
Ready to find out what your week actually looks like? Download the free CEO Time Audit, run the 7-day exercise, and bring the results to a free 30-minute consultation. We'll find your biggest leverage point together — no pitch, no pressure. Just one operator helping another founder figure out the next move.
https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/ceoaudit
ABOUT MELISSA
Melissa Franks is the founder of On Call COO and host of the Optin Podcast. Before launching her fractional COO practice, she served as COO of a Fortune 100 financial services business, where she helped grow the company from $50M to $350M. She now works with small business founders to help them grow, scale, and actually love the life they've built — without being the hardest-working employee in their own business.
Book a free consultation https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
What if the culture that makes your company feel like home is the exact thing keeping the right people from ever walking through the door?
In this episode, Melissa Franks — founder of On Call COO and 25-year operator — tackles one of the most under-examined growth levers in small business: company culture. Drawing on real client work, her own corporate-turned-startup experience, and lessons from companies like Hobby Lobby and Ben & Jerry's, Melissa makes the case that the culture that got you to your first ten employees is rarely the one that will carry you to your first hundred.
You'll hear the two truths every founder has to hold in tension, why a strong culture can quietly become an exclusionary one without anyone meaning for it to, and the three reasons homogeneous cultures cost more than founders realize, in talent math, legal exposure, and slower, worse decision-making.
Then Melissa walks you through her 8-step Culture Audit, the same framework she uses with fractional COO clients, so you can honestly assess whether your culture is an asset or a ceiling, and decide exactly what to keep, evolve, or let go.
Free Download: The Culture Audit Worksheet
Want to run the full 8-step audit on your own company? Download the free Culture Audit Worksheet, the same framework Melissa uses with her fractional COO clients
https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/cultureaudit
Work With Melissa
If you're not sure whether your culture is an asset or a ceiling, that's exactly the kind of thing On Call COO helps founders figure out. A culture audit is one of the first things Melissa runs when she steps in as a fractional COO. Book a free 30-minute consultation and she'll tell you honestly whether your culture is going to get you where you're going.
Book your free consultation: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Your best employee is still hitting their numbers. They're polite. They don't complain. And something feels off.
Stop reaching for a raise. You don't have a compensation problem, you have a leadership problem. And at $3M+, it's one of the top plateau-makers in your business.
In this episode:
- Why A-players disengage (it's never what you assume)
- The four real reasons, each with a named tactic: the Scope Audit, the Cover Question, the "Why" One-on-One, the Two-Year Conversation
- A three-question diagnostic for you, alone at your desk
- The 30-day re-engagement plan — one conversation per week, no new system required
"Your best people want to stay. They're waiting to see if you can still see them."
This week: one A-player. One conversation. One action.
Book a strategy session: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
More at https://www.melissafranks.com
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
What does it actually look like to grow a business from a $10K/month survival goal to a $100K month, in real time, with real numbers, and zero sugarcoating?
In this episode, Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO, pulls back the curtain on everything that happened in Q1 2026: the wins, the unexpected setbacks, the hard decisions, and the mindset shifts that are fueling the path to $3 million.
This isn't a highlight reel. This is the full picture, and it might be exactly what you need to hear right now.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why Melissa set a $3 million "impossible goal" for 2026, and what that actually means in practice
- The one decision made at the end of 2025 that directly led to On Call COO's first $100K month in February 2026
- How to identify where YOU are the bottleneck in your own business (and what to do about it)
- What "firing yourself" from a role really means, and why it's the most important thing a scaling founder can do
- The leading indicators Melissa watches daily that have nothing to do with revenue, and how they saved the business from a pipeline crash in March
- What happened when Google Ads suddenly stopped spending (and how she diagnosed and fixed it fast)
- Why Melissa made the intentional decision to step BACK into client fulfillment, even after retiring from it
- The truth about rest, recovery, and why "hustle culture" advice can quietly kill your business growth
Ready to find your own bottleneck?
If any of this resonated, and you're sitting in the owner seat wondering why it's so hard, you're not alone. Melissa and the On Call COO team offer a free consultation call to help you see the forest through the trees.
👉 Book your free consultation at https//www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
- Website: melissafranks.com
- LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
- Instagram: @melissafranks
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Most people think the difference between a $1M business and a $10M business is more leads, better marketing, or a bigger audience. It's not — not even close.
The real gap between a 7-figure and an 8-figure business isn't effort. It's structure. And in this episode, Melissa Franks breaks down the five core operational differences that separate businesses that stay stuck at a million from the ones that scale to $10 million and beyond.
Whether you're sitting at $500K trying to crack your first million, or you've hit $1M and can't figure out why you're still grinding — this episode is going to change how you think about running your business.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
- Why the business model that got you to $1M is the very thing keeping you from $10M
- The 5 fundamental differences between a 7-figure and 8-figure business
- How to shift from founder-driven to systems-driven — even if you're not ready to let go
- Why $10M businesses don't do more, they do less, better
- The #1 reason businesses get stuck at $1M and $3M (and how to break through)
- The 3 honest questions every founder must ask themselves right now
- Why chaos is actually highly organized and why it will destroy your ability to scale
If This Episode Hit Close to Home...
You're not alone. Most businesses get stuck between $1M and $3M — not because the market is saturated or the product is wrong, but because the founder hasn't upgraded how they operate. That's exactly the work we do at On Call COO.
Whether you need a 90-minute strategy session to get clear on your next move, or fractional COO support to help you build the systems and team structure to scale — we've got you.
👉 Book a free consultation at melissafranks.com to find out what's keeping your business from the next level.
Connect with Melissa:
- Website: melissafranks.com
- LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
- Podcast: The Optin Podcast
If this episode was valuable, please share it with a founder you know who's ready to stop surviving and start thriving.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
“I think we need a new strategy.”
If your business feels stuck, this is probably the sentence you’ve said, or thought, recently.
Maybe your revenue isn’t where you want it to be, the team feels busy but progress is inconsistent, you’re working harder… but not seeing better results.
So the instinct is to change direction. New plan. New ideas. New strategy. But in most cases, that’s not the real problem. The issue isn’t strategy, it’s execution.
In this episode, Melissa breaks down one of the most common (and costly) mistakes growing businesses make: confusing strategy with execution—and constantly trying to fix the wrong one.
Because when you don’t know the difference, you end up:
- Changing direction too often
- Abandoning what could have worked
- Keeping your team in a constant state of reset
- Creating more complexity instead of progress
And over time, that confusion slows growth more than anything else.
In this episode:
- What strategy actually is (and what it is not)
- Why goals, ideas, and tactics are often mistaken for strategy
- What execution really looks like inside a growing business
- The difference between a strategy problem and an execution problem
- The 3 most common breakdowns that stall growth
- Why founders default to changing strategy instead of fixing execution
- How lack of ownership and accountability kills momentum
- A simple framework to diagnose where your business is actually stuck
- Why consistent execution beats constant reinvention every time
Key Takeaways
- Strategy is about clear choices and focus—not just goals or ideas
- Execution is about turning those choices into consistent action
- Most businesses don’t fail from lack of ideas—they fail from lack of follow-through
- If you’re constantly changing direction, you may be solving the wrong problem
- A simple strategy, well executed, will outperform a complex strategy that never gets implemented
Work With Melissa
If your business has a clear vision but struggles with execution, your operating model may be the issue, not your strategy.
Learn more about how On Call COO helps businesses scale through operational clarity and execution:
www.melissafranks.com
Follow & Share
If this episode resonated, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with another founder who might be solving the wrong problem right now.
Because growth doesn’t come from better ideas.
It comes from better execution.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Are you working harder in your business, but seeing worse results?
Many founders right now are experiencing slower sales cycles, unpredictable revenue, exhausted teams, and strategies that suddenly aren’t working the way they used to. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
In this episode, Melissa Franks explains why business feels harder right now and the operational shifts smart companies are making to stabilize revenue and grow again.
The reality is that the market has changed—but many businesses are still operating the way they did during high-growth years. Melissa breaks down what’s actually happening behind the scenes and how to reset your business so it runs with clarity, focus, and efficiency.
If your business feels chaotic, overly complex, or stuck, this episode will help you identify the real problem and give you a framework to move forward.
What You'll Learn
- Why buyer behavior has changed and how it affects your sales
- The hidden operational problems created during high-growth periods
- Why many founders are still operating with outdated strategies
- The three operational shifts successful businesses are making right now
- The four key metrics every founder should track beyond just revenue
- How simplifying your business can increase both revenue and profit
Work with Melissa and her team
If you feel stuck in the weeds of your business and need help improving operations, strategy, or team performance, you can schedule a free consultation with Melissa Franks and the OnCall COO team. visit C https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Many founders believe their team simply moves slower than they would.
They say things like:
- “Everything takes longer than it should.”
- “My team needs too much direction.”
- “In the end I just do it myself.”
But in most growing businesses, the real issue isn’t effort, capability, or urgency.
It’s a decision bottleneck the founder accidentally created.
When every decision needs approval, review, or confirmation, execution slows across the entire organization. Teams begin waiting for permission instead of moving forward, managers stop managing, and initiative disappears.
In this episode, Melissa breaks down how founders unknowingly create decision dependencies inside their companies and why that structure quietly limits growth.
She also explains how to redesign decision flow so teams can move faster without sacrificing quality or accountability.
- Why founders often believe their team is “slow”
- How approval habits create decision dependency across teams
- The behavioral conditioning that causes employees to wait for permission
- What happens to managers when every decision escalates to the founder
- Why decision bottlenecks create exhaustion and decision fatigue
- The role of decision ownership in growing organizations
- How to define decision rights so teams can execute faster
- Why imperfect decisions are necessary for organizational speed
- When escalation should actually happen in a business
Growing companies require decision velocity.
When every decision flows through one person, execution slows, initiative disappears, and the business becomes dependent on the founder’s availability.
Scaling requires designing clear decision ownership so leaders can lead and teams can move forward without constant approval.
Work With Melissa
If your company is growing but execution feels slow or chaotic, your operating structure may need to evolve.
Learn more about working with On Call COO:
www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
What if the fastest way to grow your income, influence, and impact is to stop focusing on yourself?
In this International Women’s Day special episode of The Opt-In Podcast, executive leader and Fractional COO Melissa Franks shares a powerful leadership shift that applies to women in business, corporate executives, founders, and growth-stage CEOs worldwide.
After 25+ years scaling businesses, from Fortune 100 financial services companies to founder-led startups, Melissa reveals what separates stagnant leaders from exponentially compounding ones:
They stop accumulating.
They start multiplying.
This episode explores the “Give to Gain” leadership model and how mentorship, visible thought leadership, and strategic collaboration drive sustainable growth in today’s marketplace.
Whether you're leading a corporate team in New York, building a founder-led company in California, scaling a startup across the U.S., or growing a global business, this conversation will challenge how you think about power, visibility, and long-term success.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✔ Why mentorship is not charity — it’s succession planning
✔ How to stop being the bottleneck in your organization
✔ Why visible thought leadership is service (not ego)
✔ How to share expertise without sounding self-promotional
✔ Why collaboration compounds growth faster than competition
✔ How to build sustainable leadership without burnout
✔ The difference between accumulation leadership and multiplication leadership
If This Episode Resonated
Follow the podcast and leave a review.
Share this episode with a woman leader in your network
Because the real power move in leadership isn’t accumulation.
It’s multiplication.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
As your business grows, your role changes.
When it was just you, giving feedback directly was fast and effective. Once managers are in place, skip-level feedback creates confusion, erodes trust, and slows execution, even when your intentions are good.
In this episode, Melissa breaks down why bypassing managers undermines performance and how to cascade feedback without losing control.
This isn’t about stepping back from leadership. It’s about evolving how communication flows so managers can actually manage and your organization can mature.
You’ll learn:
- The hidden costs of skip-level feedback
- Why performance issues are often operating model problems
- How confused priorities and trust erosion happen
- What cascading feedback should look like
- The key questions owners must start asking
- What to stop doing immediately as your team grows
When feedback flows through the right layer:
- Visibility improves
- Accountability is clear
- Decision-making gets stronger
If you don’t trust your managers to manage, the structure is cosmetic, not functional.
Listen in to learn how to lead at scale without creating chaos.
If you want help setting up an organizational design that can function with independence, let's talk it through. Book a call at https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Most business owners don’t lack discipline. They’re drowning in responsibility.
In this episode, Melissa Franks challenges the idea that success comes from more hustle, grit, or motivation. If your business only moves forward when you’re “on,” that’s not a discipline problem, it’s a design flaw.
You’ll learn:
- Why discipline and motivation are finite resources
- How decision fatigue is quietly draining your leadership capacity
- The real reason your team can’t move without you
- 3 signs you’re relying on willpower instead of systems
- Why you should build one system at a time (and never automate what you haven’t fixed)
Melissa shares real examples from client businesses where removing the owner as the bottleneck unlocked growth, restored timelines, and reduced exhaustion, without anyone “trying harder.”
Sustainable success isn’t built on discipline. It’s built on design.
Work With On Call COO
If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling your business, book a free consultation with OnCall COO. Melissa and her team help founders move out of fight-or-flight mode and into steady, scalable growth through practical systems and operational leadership.
Book a call: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Most business owners set revenue goals every year, very few define how their business will actually support them.
In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks explains why revenue-only goals are one of the most common ways small businesses create chaos. Teams hustle harder instead of smarter. Marketing and operations fall out of sync. Margins shrink. Leaders become bottlenecks.
Revenue isn’t the problem. Incomplete goals are.
Melissa breaks down why revenue is an outcome, not a plan, and introduces the operational targets that keep growth sustainable. You’ll learn how to set clear capacity limits, delivery constraints, margin requirements, and guardrails that help your team make better decisions without constant oversight.
If your business feels reactive, overwhelmed, or harder to run as revenue grows, this episode will help you understand why, and how to fix it.
Revenue is a result. Operations are the strategy.
If you are struggling to identify your operational targets, book a call today with On Call COO, we can help you figure out what the biggest priorities are any how to measure success.
https//www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
As teams grow, the way work gets done has to change.
What worked in a small, scrappy business starts to break once multiple layers, managers, and priorities appear. Employees feel overwhelmed, managers lose visibility, and execution slows down, not because people aren’t capable, but because communication hasn’t evolved.
In this episode, Melissa speaks directly to employees and middle managers about a critical skill growing teams must learn: managing up.
Managing up isn’t pushback or resistance. It’s a communication framework that helps teams clarify priorities, manage capacity, and deliver better results without burnout.
You’ll learn why “just do what you’re asked” stops working, how to synthesize feedback and requests, and a practical managing up framework you can use immediately.
This episode sets the foundation for next week’s conversation on what owners and leaders must change so managing up actually works.
If you're business is growing and you are ready for some outside input, schedule a call with us at https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Do politics belong in business or is that the wrong question entirely?
In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks reframes the conversation away from parties, candidates, and debate, and toward what actually matters: values, integrity, and alignment.
As political and social issues increasingly collide with the workplace, many business owners believe staying silent is the safest move. But silence isn’t neutral. When businesses claim strong values internally while avoiding public alignment, they create an authenticity gap that erodes trust with employees, customers, and the market.
Melissa breaks down why values can’t stay private, how performative neutrality damages brands, and what thoughtful, values-led leadership actually looks like. This episode offers practical filters to help leaders decide when to speak, when to wait, and how to respond without falling into reactive or performative activism.
This isn’t about being political.
It’s about being credible.
The goal isn’t to be liked, it’s to be aligned, authentic, and real.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
January has a way of convincing business owners that something is wrong.
You come back from a break, look at your business with fresh eyes, and suddenly everything feels off. The offers feel stale. The strategy feels tired. The urge to change everything kicks in.
But here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:
Your business probably isn’t broken. Your focus is.
In this episode, Melissa breaks down why “new year, new you” energy is one of the most dangerous mindsets in business, and how it pulls leaders away from the very work that actually drives revenue and stability.
Instead of doing the boring, proven, money-making activities, January often becomes a month of distraction:
- Reworking offers that are already profitable
- Chasing new marketing strategies instead of fixing conversion
- Hiring too soon to relieve pressure
- Overcomplicating strategy instead of executing consistently
Melissa walks through the most common distractions she sees business owners fall into at the start of the year, and what strong operators focus on instead.
You’ll learn:
- Why reinvention is often a signal of discomfort, not strategy
- The difference between emotional fatigue and operational problems
- What to audit before you change your offers, marketing, or team
- How to refocus on the unsexy work that actually moves the business forward
- What disciplined execution really looks like in Q1
If you’re feeling the urge to shake everything up right now, this episode will help you slow down, get grounded, and make decisions from data, not January energy.
Because growth doesn’t come from starting over.
It comes from focusing on what already works and doing it better.
We have a new way to connect to other business owners and get timely hot takes on current events and business trends. Join us over on Substack today. https://oncallcoo.substack.com/subscribe?params=%5Bobject%20Object%5D
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
If your business feels harder right now, even though nothing is technically “wrong”, this episode is for you.
In this week’s episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa breaks down why instability is often a sign of growth, not failure. As businesses mature, the systems, decisions, and leadership style that once worked stop being sufficient and that transition can feel uncomfortable, confusing, and even alarming.
This episode reframes instability as a signal, not a setback, and explains what mature businesses do differently when things start to feel less predictable.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why founders mistake instability for failure
- What actually causes businesses to feel chaotic as they grow
- How the founder’s role must evolve at each stage
- Why stability is built, not felt
- The difference between effort and real progress
If your revenue is solid, your team is capable, but clarity feels harder to come by, you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re likely standing at a transition point—and how you respond now matters.
Join the On Call COO Substack
Weekly insight, perspective, and practical guidance for founders navigating growth.
👉 https://oncallcoo.substack.com/subscribe?params=%5Bobject%20Object%5D
Book a Free Consultation with On Call COO
Get clarity on what’s actually happening in your business—and what to do next.
👉 https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
If January already feels heavier than you expected, it’s not because you didn’t plan well, it’s because most plans break once execution begins.
Every year, founders enter January with clear goals, only to find themselves back in the weeds, making rapid-fire decisions while their teams wait for direction. This episode breaks down why that happens and what January is really revealing about your business.
In this conversation, I cover:
- Why high-level plans fail without operational structure
- How founders unintentionally become the bottleneck
- The role alignment, ownership, and feedback play in execution
- What to fix now so Q1 doesn’t quietly slip away
This isn’t about working harder or scaling faster, it’s about building a business that can execute with clarity, consistency, and less dependence on any one person. If your business has traction but execution feels heavy, this episode will help you see what needs to change next.
If you want to talk through the challenges, schedule a free consultation today: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
If your business hit a plateau in 2025, you’re not failing, your business just outgrew its systems. In this New Year episode, Melissa breaks down why plateaus happen, how to diagnose them, and the exact steps to reset your business for growth in 2026.
You’ll learn:
• Why businesses plateau
It’s not laziness, it’s a system mismatch. Your offers, team structure, or delivery model may have hit their limits.
The 4-part diagnostic
Melissa walks you through how to evaluate:
- Revenue trends — Identify peaks, valleys, and flatlines.
- Operational friction — Look at deadlines, priorities, bottlenecks, and team load.
- Offer maturity — What got you to $1M may not get you to $5M.
- Leadership maturity — Decision speed, clarity, delegation, and CEO focus.
How to fix the plateau
Tighten your operational spine, refresh your offers, build a team that can run without you, and make decisions based on data instead of emotion.
Your 30-day reset plan
Audit what’s working and what’s not, reset your systems, pick one growth lever, choose three actions, and start executing.
You’re not stuck, your business is ready for its next version. And with the right reset, you can unlock growth fast.
If you need help with your reset plan, we can help. Book a free consultation with On Call COO at https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
In this special anniversary episode, host Melissa Franks celebrates three years of The Opt In Podcast,a journey that began as a mission to mentor women navigating corporate life and has since evolved into a platform for small business owners seeking clarity, strategy, and real talk about entrepreneurship.
Melissa takes us on a heartfelt walk down memory lane; from hiding her pregnancy to avoid career setbacks, to breaking free from corporate politics, to the birth of this podcast and the business it helped shape. She shares what she’s learned from three years behind the mic, how the show has grown with her, and why she’s more committed than ever to helping others “opt in” to what matters most.
In This Episode:
- The origin story of The Opt In Podcast, from corporate walls to creative freedom.
- What it was like to launch a podcast while leaving the C-suite behind.
- How life’s detours . . . from layoffs to reinvention . . . shaped the evolution of the show.
- The pivot from corporate career coaching to small business strategy and growth.
- Why consistency (one episode every week!) has been the secret to staying in the game long term.
- Melissa’s reflections on growth, communication, and staying authentic through change.
- A recommitment to transparency, honesty, and evolution as The Opt In Podcast moves into its fourth year.
Connect with Melissa:
🌐 www.melissafranks.com
🎧 Subscribe to The Opt In Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
AI has exploded in the business world, and most founders are still confused about how to actually use it. In this episode, Melissa breaks down what AI is good at, where it completely falls apart, and how small business owners can integrate it without chaos, overwhelm, or bad decisions.
Drawing from decades of experience in machine learning and automation (long before “AI” was a buzzword), Melissa shares the four categories of work AI excels at, the strategic functions it will never replace, and why your operational foundations matter more than any tool.
You’ll learn:
- The real emotional and operational challenges founders face with AI
- What AI can actually do well: admin, content support, customer ops, light analytics
- The human functions AI will never replace: strategy, prioritization, leadership, accountability
- Melissa’s Founder–COO–AI Triangle for using AI the right way in 2026
- A simple readiness checklist before integrating any AI into your business
- The biggest integration mistakes small businesses make and how to avoid them
Melissa closes with a reminder:
AI isn’t a system—it’s a tool. If you’re overwhelmed, you don’t have a tech problem. You have an operations problem.
Ready to build stronger systems and integrate AI the smart way? Book a consultation at https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
As 2025 wraps, many business owners are feeling the wobble, slower demand, rising costs, and uncertainty about what 2026 will look like. In this episode, Melissa explains why the economy feels off, why small businesses feel the impact more intensely, and how to regain control with her Wobbly Economy Planning Framework.
Four planning mistakes to avoid
- Trying to cut your way to growth
- Creating one rigid plan
- Freezing hiring and burning out your team
- Making pricing decisions too late
The Wobbly Economy Planning Framework
Melissa walks you through creating three scenario-based plans, Best Case, Likely Case, and Worst Case, plus how to review your offers, build an expense strategy, set cash and margin guardrails, and choose the right KPIs.
Your role as the leader
Your energy sets the tone. Your team and clients don’t need certainty, they need clarity, confidence, and a steady path forward.
Need help building your 2026 plan?
Book a free consultation at www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices planning in a wobbly economy is too important to do alone.
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
In this episode, Melissa breaks down one of the most misunderstood concepts in small business growth: organizational design. If you’ve ever wondered why your team feels stretched thin, why certain roles aren’t “working out,” or why it’s so hard to hire strategically this conversation is your roadmap.
Small businesses often grow faster than their internal structures, and that leads to confusion, overwhelm, and poor decision-making. Using examples from corporate America, real client scenarios, and her extensive hiring and organizational design experience, Melissa explains how to build a team intentionally instead of reactively.
What You’ll Learn
- Why every business, no matter the industry, has the same core functions
- The difference between generalists and specialists
- The real reason your operations manager is “struggling”
- How organizational hierarchy actually works
- Why your business may need leaders more than doers as you grow
- The myth of promoting from within
- Why you, the owner, cannot be your team’s only teacher
If you aren't certain what roles your business needs:
👉 Book a free consultation with On Call COO: melissafranks.com
👉 Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissa_franks
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
It’s the end of the year, do you know how your employees are really performing? In this episode, host Melissa Franks walks you through exactly what business owners should be doing in the final stretch of the year to evaluate their team, strengthen retention, and prepare for a smooth start to the new year.
Drawing from her experience as a Fractional COO, Melissa breaks down a simple, actionable framework that replaces corporate-style performance reviews with a more human, results-driven approach designed for small business owners.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- ✅ How to calculate total employee compensation (and why it’s more than just salary).
- 📋 Why you need updated job descriptions—and how to use them as a management tool.
- 💰 How to perform a salary and compensation analysis that’s fair, competitive, and sustainable.
- 📈 When (and how) to offer cost-of-living adjustments, bonuses, and pay-for-performance increases.
- 💡 How to identify and fix gaps in your benefits, commission structures, and pay equity.
- 🧾 The importance of documenting policies to protect your business and maintain transparency.
To learn more about On Call COO go to https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
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
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, host Melissa Franks shares her Holiday Season Survival Guide for Business Owners. A practical, heartfelt, and sometimes hilarious look at how to stay sane, strategic, and successful during the busiest time of year. Whether your business is deep in Q4 chaos or wrapping up a slower season, these 10 essentials will help you finish strong and start 2026 ready to thrive.
Melissa draws from her early days in retail (and a memorable Black Friday gone wrong!) to her years in corporate operations, breaking down what it really takes to manage people, priorities, and performance during the holidays, all while remembering to actually enjoy the season.
🔟 The 10 Essentials for Your Holiday Business Survival Guide:
- Plan for Team Time Off: Collect requests early and ensure your bases are covered.
- Plan Your Own Time Off: The CEO needs rest too.
- Decide What Matters Most: Focus on 1–3 key priorities between now and year-end.
- Plan for January (Now): Success in January starts in December.
- Set 2026 Goals Early: Slow, intentional goal setting beats rushed resolutions.
- Follow the Plan — Don’t Panic: Trust your strategy before making emotional pivots.
- Have Contingency Plans: Because the happy path rarely happens.
- Gift Thoughtfully: Cash for employees, experiences for clients - and no logo swag!
- Actually Take Time Off: Rest is part of performance.
- Enjoy the Season: Energy, goodwill, and gratitude fuel great leadership.
📚 Mentions & Resources:
- The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington
- Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness
To learn more about On Call COO go to https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Have you ever hesitated to hire someone who knows more than you… because it felt risky or intimidating? In this episode, Melissa breaks down why not hiring up is one of the fastest ways to cap your business growth and why your job as a CEO is not to be the most qualified person in every function.
Sparked by a controversial take on Diary of a CEO (where a guest said small business owners should never hire more experienced people), Melissa shares why she completely disagrees – and what actually works inside real companies.
She walks through her own story of becoming a COO overseeing functions she’d never done herself, and how learning to trust and leverage true experts transformed results, retention, and growth.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why “never hire someone more qualified than you” is dangerous advice for small business owners
- How talent determines your growth trajectory and why A-players cost more (and are worth it)
- Melissa’s story of becoming COO and leading cybersecurity, procurement, vendor management, and a PMO she’d never personally worked in
- What great leaders really do: identify, harness, and retain talent (not out-execute their team)
- When it’s the right time to hire at the bottom vs. hire strategic, senior roles
- The real reason “hires don’t work out” (hint: it’s often unclear expectations and weak integration, not skills)
- How to set clear expectations around:
- Core values and how they show up in behavior
- Quality standards and timeliness
- Brand representation and public-facing work
- Why you must “close the loop” with employees when work is late, incomplete, or off the mark
- How adding a strong new hire can create “storming” on your team – and what to do so the team evolves instead of implodes
- Why only hiring people who know less than you guarantees your business will be limited by your own knowledge
If you enjoyed this episode
- Share it with another small business owner who’s stuck trying to do everything themselves.
- Subscribe to The Opt-In Podcast so you don’t miss future episodes on hiring, scaling, and building a business that actually works.
- If you are looking for help in your business go to https://www.melissafranks.com to learn more.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this special post-election episode of The Opt-In Podcast, host Melissa Franks steps away from her usual business strategy deep dives to unpack the real-time ripple effects of America’s shifting political landscape and what it means for small business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
From the Supreme Court’s review of U.S. tariffs to the newly elected Mayor Mandani of New York City, Melissa explores how major political moves could reshape how businesses operate, grow, and survive in 2026.
Drawing from her own high-stakes experience selling multi billion-dollar companies, she reveals how snap judgments without due diligence can lead to costly outcomes in both boardrooms and government.
She also spotlights a historic night for women in politics, with female leaders taking governorships across key states and connects it back to her mission of empowering women in business. This moment, she says, is a reminder that when women collaborate and claim their space, progress follows.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, host Melissa Franks tackles a topic she’s never covered before: how to create an annual budget that actually works for you. Whether you’re a five-figure startup or a nine-figure company, Melissa breaks down why every business needs a budget and why it’s not the restrictive tool you think it is.
Drawing from her own experience managing $180 million in annual spend as a COO, Melissa shares the exact framework she uses with clients to build clarity, confidence, and control into their financial plans.
You’ll learn:
- Why budgets are a decision-making tool, not a limitation.
- How to categorize your spend using her four-part classification method: recurring, one-time, not needed, and invest more.
- The steps to build a monthly expense budget using historical data.
- How to plan for staffing changes and forecast projected revenue using trends and seasonality.
- The importance of assessing profit margin and adjusting expenses or revenue targets to stay in line with your goals.
- Why you must include discretionary spending and contingency planning—and how to do it without sabotaging your profitability.
Melissa wraps up with her signature perspective: a good budget isn’t about saying no to spending it’s about saying yes to what matters most.
If you’ve ever avoided budgeting because it felt too rigid, too complex, or just plain boring, this episode will change your mind and your approach.
🎧 Listen now to learn how to make your budget your best business partner for the year ahead.
Connect with Melissa:
Website: www.melissafranks.com
Instagram: @melissa_franks
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode host Melissa Franks takes you behind the scenes of her entrepreneurial journey. From losing her job and starting over as a single mom with no plan, to building a thriving seven-figure company in just two years.
Melissa shares the 10 most important lessons she’s learned along the way. The real, unfiltered truths about what it takes to go from surviving to thriving in business.
You’ll learn:
- Why every entrepreneur starts clueless (and why that’s okay)
- The power of finding the helpers and surrounding yourself with the right people
- How to try everything until something works and when to stop
- What it means to redefine your destination as your business evolves
- How to process losses without wallowing
- Why you must ignore the critics and stop lying to yourself
- The importance of celebrating every win (no matter how small)
- And why it’s totally fine and sometimes necessary to go dark and build quietly
This episode is equal parts reflection, motivation, and reality check for anyone who’s building something from scratch. Whether you’re just getting started or in the thick of growth, Melissa’s insights will remind you that you’re not alone and that success is always on the other side of struggle.
Tune in to hear:
What two years of grit, growth, and chaos have really taught one fractional COO about business, resilience, and reinvention.
To learn more about On Call COO visit https://www.melissafranks.com
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Most small business owners have been taught to obsess over their “Ideal Client Avatar”. To name them, write their life story, and plaster their face on a mood board.
But what if everything you’ve been taught about your ICA is… wrong?
In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks breaks down why your ideal client is not:
- One person
- The person you wish would buy from you
- Even you, the founder (yep, sorry)
Using real examples from working with clients across industries, she reveals:
✅ Why your first ICA is always a mirror of yourself and why that version must eventually die
✅ Why the customers who spend the most are not always the most profitable or loyal
✅ How seasonality, pricing, and product mix completely change who you should be selling to
✅ The dangerous trap of “too many ICAs” and how confusion kills conversions
✅ The only real way to discover your ideal clients: testing, tracking, and talking to real humans
If you’ve ever felt confused about who you should be marketing to, or worse, you’ve been selling to the wrong people, this episode will help you recalibrate your aim and finally get clarity.
If you have a business that is $3M+ in annual revenue and you are struggling to grow schedule a free consultation with us at On Call COO and maybe, just maybe it's your ICA. To schedule: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In today’s episode of The Opt-In Podcast, I’m taking inspiration from the unexpected king of business advice: Tom Hanks.
His mantra, “This too shall pass” became my lifeline during one of the darkest moments of my entrepreneurial journey… and again during one of the best.
Whether you’re drowning in problems or overwhelmed by opportunities (yes, that kind of chaos exists too), this episode is your blueprint for getting grounded, getting clear, and getting back in control.
I’ll walk you through:
- The Exercise That Saved Me: The exact process I use, and now teach to move from panic to clarity in under 24 hours.
- Why Chaos Is Normal (and why you should stop trying to eliminate it)
- How to Separate Real Problems from Emotional Noise
- The Business Triage Method: How to quickly determine what to fix first (and what to completely ignore)
- My Own Story of Hitting Rock Bottom… and Hitting Capacity Overload Two Years Later
This episode is both a pep talk and a practical framework for decision-making when everything feels urgent.
📌 If you’re in a season of overwhelm — good or bad — listen to this. Save it. Share it. And repeat after me: This too shall pass.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Does everyone you interview look like you, sound like you, and maybe even want to be you? If so, it’s time to rethink your hiring approach.
In this episode of the Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks takes a candid look at why diversity matters in small business hiring, and what can happen when diversity of thought, background, and experience disappears from an organization. Using both real-world headlines and her corporate COO background, Melissa explains why innovation, creativity, and growth depend on having a diverse team.
You’ll learn:
- Why diversity isn’t just about what you can see, it includes socioeconomic background, education, life experiences, and more.
- How a lack of diverse perspectives can limit creativity, create blind spots, and weaken company culture.
- 5 practical steps to improve diversity in your hiring:
- Write inclusive job descriptions.
- Broaden where you post and source candidates.
- Standardize your interview process with structured questions and scorecards.
- Include a diverse panel in interviews.
- Track applicant and hiring data to uncover unconscious bias.
Melissa also connects today’s hiring challenges to what’s happening in government, showing why protecting diversity of thought is vital—not just for society, but for the long-term survival of your business.
👉 Whether you’re hiring your first team member or expanding a growing company, this episode will help you attract the best talent and build a stronger, more resilient business.
To learn more about how On Call COO can help your business: Https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
To learn about working for On Call COO: https://www.melissafranks.com/careers
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Every business owner eventually faces it: the dreaded plateau. Sales stop climbing, growth stalls, and suddenly you’re left wondering what went wrong. In this episode of the Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks breaks down the truth about business plateaus and how to navigate them without panic or wasted effort.
Melissa dives into the four core areas every entrepreneur should interrogate when growth has flatlined:
- Your Data – Why understanding metrics like customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, churn, and return on ad spend is essential for diagnosing issues.
- Your Sales Process – How inefficiencies, distractions, or broken funnels quietly kill conversion rates and what to do about it.
- Your Time – The surprising ways a founder’s calendar can hold back growth (and how delegation and focus create momentum).
- Your Team – How misaligned priorities, poor culture, or lack of standard processes can drag down performance across the business.
Melissa also shares a powerful analogy: think of business growth like a mountain range, not a roller coaster. Plateaus aren’t failures, they’re natural flat stretches where you regroup, stabilize, and prepare for the next climb.
Whether you’re currently in a plateau or preparing for the inevitable, this episode gives you the tools to diagnose, adjust, and reignite momentum.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
This week on The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks unpacks a rarely discussed—but vitally important—topic: how your personal behavior in public spaces can deeply affect your business or employment. Whether you're a business owner or an employee, your actions, your posts, your tone, and your choices in public and on social media all have ripple effects and sometimes, unintended consequences.
Using a powerful personal story from a youth baseball tournament gone sideways, Melissa explores how behavior, even outside of work hours, can reflect on your business and your brand, whether you realize it or not. This episode is not about ideology or political hot takes, it’s a practical, heartfelt guide for staying aligned with your values while protecting your business, your voice, and your livelihood.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- ⚾ A real-world story about how a youth sports game turned into a brand crisis for a business
- 🧠 Why everything you do, even off the clock can be traced back to your business or employer
- 📱 The risks of unfiltered social media posting and how cancel culture intersects with employment
- 🛡️ What every business owner needs: a clear social media and branded apparel policy
- 📘 Why your employee handbook matters more than you think (especially the fine print)
- 🧭 How to navigate being vocal about causes and core values without putting your business at risk
- 👀 Why “your personal brand is always showing” — and how to stay in control of it
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this candid solo episode, Melissa Franks opens the curtain on a deeply personal and strategic recalibration she made in both life and business. As the fourth quarter looms, a season that often demands more from entrepreneurs, Melissa shares the internal reckoning that led her to rewrite how she works, lives, and leads. This isn’t a burnout story; it’s a blueprint for realignment. From hiring help to reshaping routines, Melissa offers a powerful invitation to evaluate how we’re spending our time, protecting our energy, and honoring the life we say we want.
In this episode, Melissa unpacks:
🔹 The warning signs that told her change was non-negotiable
🔹 Why “working harder” stopped being the right strategy
🔹 Her surprisingly simple nutrition fix that boosted brainpower
🔹 What she outsourced at home (and what’s next)
🔹 The time management tweaks that helped her reset
🔹 Her new rules for weekends, Slack, and client boundaries
🔹 Why she’s finally hiring an executive assistant, and the mindset that made her delay
🔹 The trap of always moving the finish line, and how she’s breaking the cycle
🔹 A powerful call to recalibrate your life and business in harmony
Key Takeaways:
- Success in one season can create dysfunction in the next, don’t wait for burnout to course-correct.
- White space isn’t a luxury; it’s a growth strategy.
- Personal decisions—like meal delivery and weekday boundaries—are business decisions, too.
- You don’t need to wait until you’ve ‘made it’ to live the life you want. Start now.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Fourth quarter isn’t just October through December—it starts now. In this episode, Melissa Franks breaks down why the most successful businesses treat September as the true kickoff to Q4 and how you can use this mindset to set yourself up for a profitable year-end.
Melissa shares insights from industry analysts on consumer behavior this holiday season—what Gen Z, middle-class, and affluent buyers are really planning to spend on—and what that means for your business strategy. From stacking promotions and driving momentum early to preparing for January (yes, January is part of Q4 too), Melissa offers practical, real-world advice to help you thrive, not just survive.
You’ll learn:
- Why Gen Z is prioritizing experiences over products this holiday season
- Which income groups are likely to spend more (and which are tightening their wallets)
- Why you should generate “shock factor” attention and sales in September
- How to use historical data without falling into the trap of copy-paste planning
- Why planning for January now is the hidden key to avoiding a sluggish start in 2026
- The danger of being impatient with short-term sales data—and how to react fast without being reactionary
If you’ve ever felt stressed about hitting your year-end goals, this episode will help you shift your perspective and take intentional action today.
👉 Want help building a plan you can actually execute? Melissa is quietly offering a limited number of 4-hour VIP planning sessions to design your Q4 strategy using her Growth Formula Framework. Book a call: https://calendly.com/oncallcoo/on-call-coo-info-call
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
If your business collapses the moment you go on vacation, you don’t have leaders—you have helpers. In this episode of the Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks, your On Call COO, unpacks the hard truth about bottlenecks in small businesses and why your growth may be stalling because you are in the way.
Melissa shares real client stories of founders who couldn’t unplug, explains the signs that you might be the bottleneck, and introduces a practical framework for building a team that can operate independently—whether you’re in the office, on vacation, or preparing your business for a future sale.
You’ll learn:
- How to recognize if you’re holding your business back.
- The four-part framework for creating a self-sufficient team:
- Clear roles and accountability
- Defined decision rights
- Systems and SOPs
- Leadership development
- Why empowering your team to lead (not just help) is the fastest path to freedom, growth, and long-term business value.
By the end, you’ll know the exact steps to start shifting from being the bottleneck to becoming the visionary leader your business actually needs.
👉 Tune in to discover how to stop firefighting, delegate with confidence, and finally buy back your time.
To get support for this framework or strategic guidance for your business, you can book a complimentary consultation call at https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
What separates the CEO who scales from the CEO who stalls?
Spoiler: it’s not strategy—it’s habits.
In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks, your on-call COO, pulls back the curtain on the daily practices that either propel businesses forward or keep them stuck. Drawing on insights from working with nearly 50 entrepreneurs across industries, Melissa explains why consistency beats intensity and how three core habits can transform your role as a leader.
You’ll hear:
- The three growth-driving habits every CEO must master: owning your calendar, tracking numbers weekly, and delegating ruthlessly.
- The hidden bad habits that sabotage growth, like checking email first thing in the morning, attending every meeting, and constant context switching.
- Real client stories that show how simple habit shifts unlocked millions in growth.
- A practical three-step framework to audit your day, double down on good habits, and replace harmful ones.
If your business feels stuck—or you’re burning out trying to do it all—this episode is your playbook for clarity, focus, and momentum.
👉 After listening, DM Melissa to share the habit you’re committing to shift. Accountability starts here.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Is your business growing—but instead of celebrating, you feel like you’re drowning? If sales are pouring in but your systems, team, and sanity can’t keep up, you’re not alone. Growth can feel messy, chaotic, and overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, Melissa Franks, your On-Call COO, breaks down why growth often feels like chaos and how to stabilize while you scale. She shares real-world stories of clients in both explosive growth and major turnaround phases—and the exact steps they used to quiet the chaos and create intentional, sustainable success.
You’ll learn:
- The three core causes of chaos in a growing business (and how to spot them).
- The four steps to stabilize growth so you can scale with confidence.
- Why delegation, stop-doing lists, and scalable systems are your secret weapons.
- How to shift from operator to architect—so you can finally step into the CEO role your business needs.
Whether you’re scaling fast or navigating a turnaround, this episode will give you practical tools to bring order to the chaos, reduce decision fatigue, and build a business that works for you (not the other way around).
👉 Ready to eliminate chaos and unlock exponential growth? Book a consultation or VIP day with Melissa at www.melissafranks.com.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Gen Z is stepping into the workforce—and the conversation about them is louder than ever. Are they ready? Or is the real question whether we’re ready to welcome them?
In this episode, Melissa shares the behind-the-scenes story of a viral interview that landed her insights in Entrepreneur, Yahoo, and media outlets across the globe. She challenges the idea that Gen Z needs “fixing” through etiquette coaching alone and instead makes the case for mentorship, guidance, and an open mind.
Melissa covers:
- Why traditional onboarding has failed new graduates—and what to do about it
- Practical ways to help Gen Z acclimate to workplace culture (virtual and in-person)
- How to set expectations early around dress code, communication, and boundaries
- Where etiquette coaching fits in—and the critical follow-up most companies skip
- How to balance respecting personal style with professional standards
- Why curiosity and flexibility are essential for leaders navigating generational shifts
This is a passionate call to stop rooting for the next generation to fail and start building the systems that will let them—and your business—thrive.
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- Etiquette Coach: Lisa Grotts www.LisaGrotts.com
- Yahoo Article: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/why-bosses-hiring-etiquette-coaches-040000585.html
If you manage, hire, or mentor Gen Z employees, this episode will give you a roadmap for turning potential into performance.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa challenges business owners to take an honest look at how they show up in their businesses. Are you bringing CEO energy—strategic, intentional, and future-focused—or are you operating with employee energy—reactive, task-oriented, and stuck in the weeds?
Melissa draws on her experience as a former co-CEO, Fractional COO, and current business owner to break down the key differences between leading and doing. You'll learn why staying in the trenches stunts growth, how to audit your time for strategic alignment, and what it really takes to empower your team while stepping into your rightful role as visionary leader.
Key Takeaways:
- The hidden costs of defaulting to employee energy—even when you're the founder.
- Why “firefighting” feels productive but is killing your long-term growth.
- The calendar audit every CEO needs to do (six weeks, not one!).
- How addiction to urgency is sabotaging your leadership capacity.
- A gut-check framework to determine whether your tasks drive the future of the business.
- What white space really is—and why you must protect it.
If you're feeling stuck in doing mode and wondering how to reclaim your time, power, and growth potential, this episode is your playbook.
📞 Ready to step into your CEO era?
Book a free consultation at www.melissafranks.com
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Are you still the one writing SOPs in your multi-six or seven-figure business? Then this episode is your wake-up call.
Melissa returns with a no-holds-barred look at the true cost of doing everything yourself—especially once you’re no longer a solopreneur. From million-dollar mistakes in the corporate world to time-sucking $10 tasks in your own business, Melissa unpacks how DIY can silently stall your growth, drain your energy, and leave money on the table.
You’ll learn:
- Why "just doing it yourself" may be costing you more than you think
- How perfectionism, control, and ego keep entrepreneurs stuck
- The real ROI of delegation—and what it means to lead at scale
- The three-step framework for delegating without micromanaging
- A practical five-day audit to uncover what you shouldn’t be doing anymore
If you're feeling overwhelmed, bottlenecked, or burnt out, this episode will challenge you to let go—so your business can grow.
🔁 Listener Challenge:
Track your tasks for five days. At the end of each day, ask: What could I have delegated—and to whom? Then start creating a strategy to clean your plate and elevate your role.
Connect with Melissa on Instagram: @Melissa_franks
Learn how to work with On Call COO: www.melissafranks.com
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this second episode of the summer vacation series, Melissa tackles what most business owners don’t plan for—how to re-enter your business after time away.
Melissa walks you through exactly how to avoid chaos, confusion, and burnout when returning from vacation, and how to turn your re-entry into an opportunity for growth—for both you and your team.
You’ll learn:
- Why cannonballing back into your business creates unnecessary waves
- How to build in a “soft landing” day that sets the tone for a productive return
- The secret to observing, not reacting—so you can identify real trends instead of false alarms
- How to reconnect with your business vision and avoid shiny-object syndrome
- The importance of resetting routines and reinforcing boundaries
- Why a team debrief is your most underused leadership tool
If you've ever come back from vacation more stressed than when you left, this episode will shift the way you lead after time away.
Because the goal isn’t just a good vacation. It’s building a business that thrives in your absence.
🔗 Listen to Episode One of the Vacation Series: “How to Prepare Your Business for Time Away” if you haven’t already!
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Are you dreaming of a real vacation—but worried your business will fall apart without you?
In this episode, Melissa shares her tried-and-true method for actually stepping away from your business without stress, guilt, or chaos.
As a single mom of three and a small business owner who used to skip vacations out of fear, Melissa now takes multiple breaks a year—and the business keeps thriving. Tune in to hear the exact framework she’s using right now to unplug confidently.
You’ll learn:
✅ How to define your unplugged dates and set boundaries that stick
✅ The importance of a clear delegation map (and how to make one fast)
✅ What actually needs to get done while you’re gone—and what doesn’t
✅ How to prep your team for emergencies without constant hand-holding
✅ The overlooked power of autoresponders, pre-scheduled content, and client check-ins
✅ Why giving yourself permission to rest is a critical leadership skill
Whether you’re leaving for the beach or taking a staycation, this episode gives you the tools (and the push) to actually go—and stay gone.
🎧 Listen in, and then send Melissa a DM on Instagram (@melissa_franks) and let her know where you’re off to next!
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Have you ever taken on a project just because the money was good—even though your gut said "no"? You're not alone.
In this episode, Melissa breaks down the high price of bad revenue and why saying “yes” to misaligned opportunities can quietly erode your business from the inside out.
Melissa shares a candid story from her own early consulting days and outlines:
- What bad revenue really means—and how to recognize it
- The emotional and financial toll it takes on your business
- The mindset traps that keep entrepreneurs saying yes
- How clarity, confidence, and courage can help you say no with integrity
- Tactical scripts to decline the wrong opportunities (without burning bridges)
Whether you're a solopreneur, agency owner, or scaling service provider, this episode will give you the filter you need to protect your time, energy, and team—and build a business based on aligned revenue that sustains and scales.
🎧 Take the time to audit your current income streams. Are they building your legacy—or draining your momentum?
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In today’s episode, Melissa breaks down one of the most misunderstood pieces of business advice: “Wealth loves speed.” But what does that really mean for CEOs and business owners making decisions in real time?
Spoiler: it’s not about rushing recklessly—it's about moving with clarity and confidence.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✅ Why “speed” in business is not the same as “rushed”
✅ The 3 essential filters every CEO must run decisions through
✅ How clarity—not certainty—is the true driver of momentum
✅ The real cost of indecision (and one client’s expensive lesson)
✅ Why your next breakthrough might not require more info—just faster action
✅ How to use the 80/20 rule to stop getting stuck in the perfection trap
✅ The one rule Melissa follows for all decisions: If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no
Whether you’re choosing to launch a new offer, hire a team member, or pivot strategy—this episode gives you a tactical, empowering framework for deciding faster (and smarter).
🔗 Links & Resources:
💬 Book a free 30-minute consultation with On Call COO to get unstuck: www.melissafranks.com
📲 Keep in touch:
Instagram → @melissa_franks
🔥 Don’t forget:
If this episode helped you gain clarity, share it with a fellow founder who’s spinning in indecision. Speed creates wealth—when it’s aligned with strategy.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa dives deep into one of the most common (and crucial) questions she gets asked:
How do I know when it's time to hire a fractional COO?
From being the bottleneck in your business to feeling scared to scale, Melissa shares the top 8 signs that signal it's time to bring in experienced operational leadership — and what to look for when vetting a fractional executive.
You’ll learn:
- What a fractional COO actually does (and doesn’t do)
- Why seasoned operations support is different from hiring a VA or DOO
- How business size, structure, and growth stage factor into COO readiness
- The difference between strategy-only support and strategy + execution
- How to evaluate if someone is truly a “real-deal” operations executive
- Why past experience and credentials matter more than titles
Plus, Melissa shares personal insight into how On Call COO matches experienced operators with the right businesses—and the red flags to avoid when searching for one.
Whether you’ve tried hiring operations support before or you’re just starting to explore the idea, this episode will help you determine the right time, the right role, and the right fit to help your business thrive.
💡 Mentioned in the episode:
→ Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Melissa and the team at On Call COO: www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Listen if you’re:
✅ A founder overwhelmed by growth
✅ A CEO with big vision but no roadmap
✅ Tired of hiring people who need constant direction
✅ Wondering if operations help could actually change your life
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if this episode hit home!
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa gets real about the power—and necessity—of building a personal brand, whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or scaling your own business. Sharing personal stories from her first corporate training at 22 to landing billboards in Times Square, Melissa breaks down why your personal brand isn’t just a marketing tactic—it’s your reputation, your legacy, and your secret weapon for future-proofing your career.
You’ll walk away knowing:
- Why a personal brand is about perception—not just presentation
- The 6 essential reasons personal branding matters more than ever
- How to differentiate yourself from competitors in a saturated market
- The steps to start building your brand today—even if you don’t want to “be the face”
- How a strong personal brand shortens the sales cycle and attracts high-value opportunities
If you’ve ever said, “I want the business to be the brand, not me,” this episode is your wake-up call. Personal branding isn’t optional—it’s foundational.
✨ Resources & Mentions:
Boring to Brand - https://charlacorn.com
📣 Connect with Melissa:
www.melissafranks.com
Instagram: @melissa_franks
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa shares seven actionable ways to get your business—and your team—ready for the summer months. Whether summer is a busy season or a slow one for your business, the way you prepare can make all the difference in performance, morale, and momentum going into fall.
Melissa walks you through how to anticipate seasonal shifts, implement flexible schedules without sacrificing accountability, and set your team up for both rest and results.
You'll learn how to lead by example, set smart boundaries, and create a summer strategy that works for your business rhythm and your people.
🧭 What You’ll Learn:
How to use historical business data to forecast your summer season
Setting clear expectations around time off (and how to avoid team conflict)
Flexible work schedules that still drive results
Why summer is the perfect time for mid-year goal reviews and resets
Simple ways to build culture, connection, and fun
How to communicate, automate, and delegate to step away confidently
The critical role of leading by example as a founder or leader
👥 Perfect For:
Small business owners managing a lean team
Founders looking to take real time off without dropping the ball
Leaders who want to create a culture of flexibility and accountability
🔗 Stay Connected:
Website: www.melissafranks.com
Instagram: @melissa_franks
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In the final episode of our Mental Health Awareness Month series, Melissa gets real about a topic that too often goes unspoken: the loneliness of leadership. Whether you're a CEO, business owner, or leader navigating your way through the pressures of success, Melissa unpacks the emotional toll that comes with the territory—and why it’s crucial to prioritize your mental well-being.
She shares her personal journey of rising through the corporate ranks, the surprising isolation that came with success, and how she built a strong support system that sustained her through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. You’ll hear:
Why success often feels lonelier than you expect—and how to combat it.
The power of finding your tribe (and where to look).
Practical ways to manage the stress points in your business.
How taking care of your body protects your mind.
A candid reflection on control, burnout, and seeking help when you need it.
This episode is your reminder that you’re not alone, even when it feels that way. Tune in for tangible advice on how to protect your peace, build community, and stay mentally strong as you grow your business.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa, continues a deep dive into mental health awareness throughout May. In today’s episode, we tackle one of my all-time favorite leadership topics: leading with empathy.
This is the conversation no one’s having—but it’s critical. Empathetic leadership isn’t just about being nice; it’s about creating a safe, supportive environment where your team can thrive both personally and professionally. I’m sharing stories from my own journey (including one tough lesson early in my career) and giving you practical, actionable ways to build trust and psychological safety in your business.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
✅ Why empathy is a business strategy, not a “nice-to-have”
✅ How to balance boundaries with genuine care for your team
✅ The importance of recognizing behavior changes—and exactly how to address them
✅ How vulnerability as a leader creates deeper trust and stronger teams
✅ Low-cost ways to support mental health in your business
Whether you’re a small business owner or a manager inside a larger organization, this episode will help you lead in a way that truly makes a difference—for your people and your bottom line.
👉 I'd love to hear what you do to foster inclusion, trust, and psychological safety in your business! Reach out and share your thoughts.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Today, Melissa continues and we’re continuing our Mental Health Awareness Month series with a hard look at hustle culture—and its hidden costs.
In this episode, we dive into:
✅ The “invisible load” entrepreneurs carry—and how it sneaks up on you
✅ Why the hustle hard advice works (but only for a while)
✅ How to recognize the early (and surprising) signs of burnout
✅ The three stages of business development—test, verify, grow—and where hustle actually fits in
✅ Practical tactics to step back: redefining success, setting boundaries, and prioritizing your health
Whether you’re addicted to the grind or ready to reclaim balance, this episode gives you actionable ways to shift gears without sacrificing your ambition.
💬 Key quote: “Boring is the opposite of burnout. Consistency and calm are where sustainable success lives.”
✨ Plus: Tips for leading your team out of hustle culture and creating a business that thrives without burning out your people—or yourself.
It’s time to take care of your whole self—because your business depends on it.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
This week, Melissa brings you behind the scenes of one of the hardest (and most unexpectedly pivotal) weeks she’s faced — a raw, unfiltered look at what it really means to juggle personal loss, business growth, client demands, and once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunities all at the same time.
She opens up about:
✅ Navigating a devastating personal loss while running a growing business
✅ How she set ultra-clear daily and monthly priorities to stay afloat
✅ The real mindset tactics she used to push through exhaustion and overwhelm
✅ Why resilience isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a muscle you build and a playbook you return to
✅ A powerful “pivot” analogy (yes, from basketball!) that can help you break through feeling stuck
Plus, Melissa shares the behind-the-scenes story of landing her biggest media opportunity ever — and how she was forced to practice the exact resiliency strategies she teaches.
As we kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, Melissa reminds us all: your mind and body are your most important assets. If you’re struggling, ask for help.
To learn more about working with Melissa: https://www.melissafranks.com
To Connect with Melissa on Instagram: @melissa_franks or @on_call_coo
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
Have you ever opened your inbox to find a customer complaint that instantly spiked your blood pressure? If you're in business, it's not a matter of if but when it will happen. In this episode of the Opt-In Podcast, Melissa walks you through how to reframe customer complaints as valuable feedback, the biggest mistakes businesses make when responding, and a proven strategy for handling criticism with professionalism and empathy. You'll learn why your response matters more than the complaint itself — and how managing complaints well can actually grow your brand loyalty.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✅ Why you should view customer complaints as a gift
✅ The common mistakes to avoid when responding to negative feedback
✅ How to acknowledge complaints without being defensive or over-apologizing
✅ Why consistency is critical to protecting your brand
✅ The exact steps to gather facts and create a timely, professional response
✅ How to train your team to handle complaints the right way
✅ When it’s time to fire a toxic client (and how to spot the red flags)
✅ How to turn criticism into a growth opportunity and stronger customer loyalty
Key Takeaway:
How you handle a complaint is more memorable than the complaint itself. Developing a clear, consistent process for addressing negative feedback can strengthen your brand, increase customer trust, and even unlock new stages of business growth.
Connect with Melissa:
🌐 Website: https://melissafranks.com
📸 Instagram: @melissa_franks and @on_call_coo
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 control.
Join host Melissa Franks as she walks through the most common project and task management tools used by small businesses, startups, and creative teams—including Trello, Asana, ClickUp, Monday.com, Notion, and Airtable. She breaks down the pros, cons, ideal use cases, and the one question you must ask before choosing a platform.
You'll also learn:
The surprising origin stories behind your favorite tools (and why that matters)
How to avoid overbuying software you don’t need
What kind of business each tool works best for
Common setup pitfalls and how to assign ownership
Melissa’s favorite tools for ease, cost, and team clarity
Whether you're task-based, creative, or managing high-growth operations, this episode will help you simplify your workflow and set your team up for success. It’s time to stop relying on email chaos and move into structured, streamlined execution.
🔧 Tools Mentioned:
ClickUp – Best for highly task-driven, detail-heavy teams
Asana – Ideal for routine projects and teams with varying PM experience
Notion – Great for document storage and SOP libraries, but not for true project management
Monday.com – A hybrid option with powerful integrations for larger teams
Airtable – Essentially a spreadsheet; limited true PM functionality
Trello – Visual, easy to use, perfect for creatives or monthly task cycles
📌 Connect with Melissa:
DM questions or tool suggestions:
📱 Instagram: @_melissafranks or @on_call_coo
Want help picking the right tool & implementing complementary strategies? Schedule a free consultation call. Visit https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 business navigate economic unpredictability with confidence, clarity, and control.
Whether you're making physical products or running a service-based company, this episode will show you how to prepare for trade wars, price hikes, supply chain disruptions, and more—without losing your mind (or your margins).
What You'll Learn:
Why diversification of suppliers and manufacturers is non-negotiable
How to routinely review and adjust your pricing (and why you probably should)
The importance of building a business cash reserve—and how much to aim for
How to stay on top of news and global trends without going into overwhelm
The role customer relationships play in keeping revenue steady
How to prepare local backups for when your national or global systems break down
What business continuity planning actually looks like—and why you need a “What If” playbook
The power of fixed-rate contracts and written agreements in volatile markets
Why staying lean and agile might be your greatest advantage
If you’ve ever wondered how the big companies seem to weather every storm—it’s because they plan for it. And now, you can too.
Resources & Links:
Learn more about Melissa and her work: www.melissafranks.com
Follow on Instagram: @melissa_franks
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 experience scaling a business from $50M to $350M in just three years, Melissa offers candid, tactical advice for building scalable systems, hiring wisely, and making data-driven decisions.
If you’re scaling quickly—or hope to soon—this one’s a must-listen.
What You'll Learn
The eight essential areas to focus on during periods of rapid business growth
Why scalable systems and documentation are more important than ever
The dangers of reactive hiring and how to hire with intention
How to use data and churn metrics to drive smart business decisions
The difference between financial reporting, forecasting, and planning
Why customer experience can make or break your scaling journey
The importance of delegation and letting go as the founder
How to build and maintain a strong, aligned company culture
Connect with Melissa on Instagram @melissa_franks
Learn more at www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 event as a jumping-off point, Melissa draws a compelling parallel between national leadership failures and everyday behavior, tying it all back to what it means for your business. She lays out six critical reasons to cultivate (and fiercely protect) a culture of accountability in your business, from improving team performance and trust to fostering innovation and long-term growth.
🔥 Key Takeaways:
Leadership sets the tone. If those at the top don't take accountability, the impact trickles down—and it’s not pretty.
Blame kills businesses. Especially in small teams, a lack of accountability can lead to toxic culture, slow decision-making, and even total breakdown.
Six reasons why accountability is non-negotiable:
Clarity and ownership
High performance
Trust and teamwork
Faster problem-solving
A culture of growth
Stronger leadership
🙌 Let’s Connect:
Melissa wants to hear from you! What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to holding others accountable? Send a DM on Instagram @melissa_franks or email her directly at melissa@melissafranks.com
💬 Like what you heard?
Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend who’s ready to build a high-performing team culture.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 her here. From testing failed strategies to finding her magic formula through buyer psychology and Google Ads, Melissa shares it all—raw, real, and without the glossy Instagram filter.
If you've ever felt stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed in your business journey, this is the pep talk (and strategy session) you didn’t know you needed.
🔑 Key Takeaways
The Messy Middle Is Real: Success stories often skip over the struggle—but Melissa takes you into the trenches of what it looked like when nothing was working.
Referrals Aren’t a Strategy: Why relying on word-of-mouth alone isn’t sustainable for scalable growth—and what to do instead.
Understanding Buyer Psychology: How identifying the person behind the business changed everything.
Why Your Tactics Might Be Failing: The importance of matching your strategy to where your ideal client is already looking for help.
Google Ads, SEO, and a Lightbulb Moment: How a pivot to search-based marketing turned Melissa’s business around.
Testing Is the Name of the Game: Business is an experiment. Most tests will fail until they don’t.
The Power of Persistence: Melissa’s refusal to give up was the key ingredient that kept her going—and ultimately led to sustainable success.
Connect with Melissa on Instagram: @melissa_franks
Work with Melissa: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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.
With 25 years of corporate experience, growing businesses from $50M to $350M, and working with nearly 50 entrepreneurs, Melissa shares hard-earned lessons that could save you time, money, and frustration.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🔹 Simplicity Wins – Why focusing on one thing makes your business unstoppable.
🔹 Buy Expertise, Not Coaching – The difference between experts and coaches (and when you need each).
🔹 Tinkering and Pivoting Stalls Growth – Why every business change disrupts momentum.
🔹 Consistency Trumps Innovation – How sticking to what works leads to sustainable success.
🔹 You Can't Compete on Salary – But You Can Win on Benefits – How small businesses attract top talent.
🔹 Gimmicks Don't Build Loyalty – What actually makes customers stay.
🔹 You Don't Need Investors – You Need Time – Avoiding unnecessary debt when starting a business.
🔹 Friends and Family in Business Rarely Works – Why hiring strangers is often better.
🔹 Monetize What You're Good At, Not Just What People Need – The secret to building a profitable business.
Join the Conversation!
Which lesson resonated with you the most? Which one surprised you? Let’s talk! Share your thoughts:
📢 Comment on the podcast episode
📢 Find me on Instagram: @melissa_franks
📢 Subscribe to the newsletter! melissafranks.myflodesk.com/signup
📢 Subscribe to the YouTube Channel for video episodes! www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo
💡 Until next time, remember—you are wise, strong, and brave. I believe in you!
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 Inclusion (DEI) initiatives on her career, and the undeniable benefits of having women in leadership roles.
She lays out seven compelling reasons why businesses, economies, and societies thrive when women are in decision-making positions, including:
✅ Higher business performance
✅ Diverse perspectives that drive innovation
✅ Economic expansion through female workforce participation
✅ More inclusive and flexible work environments
✅ Stronger mentorship and role models for future generations
✅ Better ethical governance and risk management
✅ Greater social impact and corporate responsibility
Melissa also shares candid personal stories from her time in male-dominated industries, including the pivotal moments that shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy for women in business.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or advocate for women’s advancement, this episode will inspire you to champion diversity and support women in leadership.
🎧 Tune in now and let’s keep the momentum going beyond International Women’s Day!
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 insights from her 25-year corporate career and experiences working with entrepreneurs, providing practical strategies for managing emotional volatility in business settings.
What You'll Learn:
How emotions manifest differently in corporate vs. small business environments.
Why entrepreneurship is inherently emotional.
Three key tactics to manage emotional situations in the workplace:
Ask Questions to Understand – Encourage rational thinking by prompting deeper discussions.
Ask Questions to Investigate – Use data and facts to gain clarity.
Data Trumps Drama – Rely on evidence over emotional reactions.
How to assess a business owner's emotional style before working with them.
The importance of personal grounding practices to maintain mental well-being in emotionally charged environments.
Key Takeaways
Entrepreneurs are deeply emotionally invested in their businesses, making reactions more intense.
Managing emotions with a logical, fact-based approach can help diffuse workplace tension.
Understanding a business owner's emotional tendencies is crucial before joining their team.
Self-preservation strategies, such as keeping a "proof of success" folder, help maintain confidence in emotionally demanding environments.
Melissa’s Final Thoughts
Not all emotional environments are toxic, but learning to navigate them is essential. In today's professional landscape, emotional outbursts are becoming more commonplace, even in high-level leadership. While leaving a difficult workplace isn't always an immediate option, using these strategies can help maintain professionalism and sanity.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 reasons why businesses fail to execute effectively. These challenges aren't unique—they appear across industries, impacting businesses big and small.
You'll Learn:
Lack of Clarity: Why visionaries and creatives often struggle to communicate specifics, and how breaking big ideas into actionable milestones can solve confusion and inaction.
Poor Prioritization: How constantly shifting tasks leave teams stuck, and why setting clear quarterly priorities can streamline focus and improve results.
Weak or Missing Systems: The hidden dangers of relying on individual talent without strong systems, and how consistency, quality, and predictability drive sustainable growth.
Inability to Delegate: The pitfalls of micromanagement, how it demotivates your team, and actionable tips for delegating effectively while maintaining accountability.
Lack of Accountability: Why avoiding difficult conversations and ignoring follow-up leads to poor outcomes, and how to create a culture of accountability without fear.
Melissa shares practical strategies to tackle each challenge, ensuring your business can transition from surviving to thriving.
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with anyone struggling with execution in their business or team.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 episode is a must-listen.
Melissa dives into the key phases of business maturity, explains why hitting certain revenue milestones doesn’t mean you need to hire a full executive team, and reveals the one mistake that kills profit margins faster than anything else. Plus, she tackles the danger of solving problems that don’t exist, the urge to start a second business too soon, and the common misconception about what it really means to be a CEO.
And if you’ve ever wondered whether your business model is built for longevity, Melissa walks through a simple yet powerful exercise to clarify your vision and keep you on the right path.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The different stages of business maturity and how to recognize where you are
✅ Why hiring too many employees (or the wrong ones) will drain your profits
✅ How business owners waste time solving problems they don’t actually have
✅ Why starting a second business too soon is a costly distraction
✅ The misconception around being a “CEO” in a small business—and what role you should actually be playing
✅ A simple exercise to define your long-term business and life vision
Resources & Links:
📌 Join the conversation on Instagram: @melissa_franks
📌 Explore Melissa’s services: www.melissafranks.com
📌 Subscribe to Melissa’s new YouTube series on current business trends!
Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow business owner and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!
🎧 Tune in now and learn how to avoid these common pitfalls so you can scale your business with confidence.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 policies are essential—not just for marginalized communities but for business owners, employees, and the broader economic landscape.
Melissa unpacks the history of DEI, tracing its roots back to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the affirmative action policies that followed. She shares her personal journey as a female executive, revealing how DEI policies directly impacted her career and the opportunities available to her. She also discusses the business benefits of diversity, from increased productivity to stronger workplace engagement, and challenges listeners to consider what life and business would look like without these protections in place.
Key Topics Covered
✅ The historical roots of DEI and its legal foundations
✅ How affirmative action paved the way for workplace equity
✅ The reality of DEI inside corporations—was it all just PR?
✅ The impact of dismantling DEI on businesses, employees, and the economy
✅ Why Gen Z and Millennials expect DEI as the norm in the workforce
✅ Melissa’s personal story of breaking the glass ceiling—thanks to DEI policies
✅ What business owners can do to retain the spirit of DEI, regardless of government actions
Why This Matters
DEI isn’t just a “nice-to-have” policy—it’s a foundational framework that has shaped the modern workforce, business culture, and economic opportunity. As Melissa highlights, rolling back DEI initiatives could have drastic consequences for businesses, employees, and the future of workplace diversity.
Resources & Next Steps
📩 Join Melissa’s Weekly Newsletter – Stay informed about how current events impact your business. Sign up here: https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/signup
📞 Take Action – Call your government representatives and voice your opinion on DEI policies.
📲 Follow & Connect – Join the conversation on Instagram: @melissa_franks
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 numbers that truly matter. Melissa reveals the five essential business metrics every entrepreneur should monitor to ensure profitability, efficiency, and long-term success.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Why data tells the truth—whether you like it or not
How ignoring financials leads to bad decision-making
The 5 key metrics every business owner must track:
-
Net Profit Margin – How much of your revenue is actual profit
-
Operating Expense Ratio – Keeping expenses in check for business health
-
Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) – Understanding the true cost of getting a customer
-
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) – How much a customer is worth over time
-
Employee Productivity – Ensuring your team is efficient and effective
Why tracking these metrics can help you scale faster
How to make your P&L report a powerful decision-making tool
The surprising reason why sharing financial goals with your team improves morale
Resources & Links
📥 Download the Free Metrics Guide: Get the cheat sheet with all five metrics, their formulas, and what they tell you about your business. https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/5metrics
📌 Connect with Melissa:
Website: www.melissafranks.com
Instagram: @melissa_franks
💡 Take Action: Start tracking these five metrics today and commit to reviewing them monthly!
Rate & Review
If you loved this episode, please leave a review! Your feedback helps more business owners find The Opt-In Podcast and start making data-driven decisions.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 branding, offering invaluable lessons for small business owners, employees, and anyone navigating the complexities of showing up authentically in the world.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Melissa’s personal story of overcoming constraints in her personal and professional life.
The impact of identity on imposter syndrome and professional growth.
Why authenticity is crucial for building a scalable business.
The importance of cohesive branding for business success.
Tips for business owners on balancing personal and business branding.
Guidance for employees on navigating personal expression while representing their company brand.
Melissa also opens up about her recent experiences of working with a stylist to define her personal style and how that transformation reflected a larger metamorphosis in her business and personal life. She emphasizes the significance of knowing your values, mission, and voice to create a brand that resonates with authenticity and purpose.
Whether you’re a small business owner, part of a larger organization, or simply someone seeking to better understand yourself, this episode is packed with actionable advice and heartfelt wisdom.
Resources Mentioned:
Follow Emily Judice @thatgirlemilyjudice on Instagram for more on personal branding and authenticity.
Follow @charlacorn on Instagram for more about Personal Branding
Learn more about Melissa and her journey at www.melissafranks.com.
Don’t Miss Out:
Melissa invites you to reflect on your brand identity and take intentional steps to align it with your true self. If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review. Together, let’s continue the journey from surviving to thriving!
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram: @melissa_franks
Website: www.melissafranks.com
Tune in and start uncovering your authentic brand today!
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 feel overwhelmed, stuck, or dissatisfied.
Gary Vee’s servant leadership philosophy: What it really means and how it’s often misunderstood.
The power of delegation: How to identify tasks you shouldn't be doing and find the right people to take them on.
Real-life examples: A candid look at how resetting roles and boundaries helped one business owner regain control.
Actionable advice: How to align your business with your passions, leverage your team effectively, and ask for help when needed.
Whether you’re a solopreneur, a business owner managing a team, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode provides the tools and encouragement to rediscover your joy and purpose.
Links and Resources:
Schedule a consultation with Melissa: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa on Instagram: @melissa_franks
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 business, despite the urge to "burn it all down." Instead, she shares actionable advice on how to use this month strategically to plan, reflect, and stabilize before implementing new ideas in February.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Why businesses often feel the urge to rethink everything in January.
The risks of making big changes at the start of the year.
The importance of using January for reflection and planning.
How to use the Growth Formula Framework to assess and evaluate your business.
A step-by-step approach to implementing changes in the first quarter.
Why consistency in January is crucial for retaining clients and building trust.
Melissa’s Key Insights:
Businesses need to “look backward” and evaluate before moving forward.
Consistency is key in January—your customers are looking for stability, not reinvention.
Introduce changes strategically in February, giving time to measure and adjust throughout the first quarter.
Success comes from balancing the "slow lane" of stable operations with the "fast lane" of innovation and growth.
Resources Mentioned:
The Growth Formula Framework: A free resource to guide your reflection and planning process. https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/planningfreebie
Connect with Melissa:
Website: www.melissafranks.com
Instagram: @melissa_franks
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 and leaders, highlighting the responsibilities we all have to create safe, equitable workplaces.
Key Takeaways:
- Workplace harassment laws apply to every business, no matter the size.
- Business owners and leaders are responsible for fostering a culture of respect and safety.
- The importance of regular training, clear policies, and accountability to prevent and address misconduct.
- The courage it takes for victims to speak out and the systemic barriers they face.
- Why small, intentional actions in your workplace can create meaningful change.
Action Steps for Listeners:
- Assess your workplace culture: Are your policies clear and followed?
- Provide training for your team on harassment and discrimination laws.
- Commit to being an ally and advocate for a safe and equitable work environment.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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, and how they can help you make smarter, data-driven decisions in 2025 and beyond.
What You’ll Learn:
The Truth About Metrics: Why no two businesses should track the same metrics and how to customize them for your unique needs.
The Basics of Lead Tracking: Discover how to identify where your leads come from, how many you’re gaining, and how many you’re losing.
Customer Segmentation Secrets: Learn how to classify your customers to improve communication, sales, and retention.
Retention Strategies That Work: Why repeat customers are your biggest asset and how to keep them coming back.
Predicting the Future: Use data to calculate sales cycles and make accurate revenue projections.
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): How to identify profit leaks and optimize your P&L for success.
Lifetime Value (LTV) and Conversion Rates: Why understanding these metrics is key to scaling your business efficiently.
Melissa’s Pro Tips:
Start with just 3-5 metrics to avoid overwhelm.
Focus on performance data, not just financial metrics, to unlock sustainable growth.
Use data to influence your customers’ journey and shorten sales cycles.
Special Offer:
Melissa is offering one-day VIP planning sessions to help you create a custom 2025 plan, identify key metrics, and develop actionable strategies for explosive growth. Spots are limited—don’t miss this opportunity!
To learn more: https://www.melissafranks.com/2025planning
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 team profitably while protecting your business’s future.
Key Takeaways:
Start Small, Think Big: Why solopreneurs should start with contractors before hiring employees.
The Cost of Employees: Understanding the true expense of payroll, benefits, and inefficiencies in team dynamics.
Profitable Hiring Practices: How to evaluate if a new role will generate enough revenue to justify its cost.
Smart Scaling: Why every role needs a clear job description, scope, and performance metrics—even for contractors.
Lessons from the Trenches: A cautionary tale of overhiring and how to avoid growing too fast, too soon.
Melissa shares her personal and client experiences to illustrate the do’s and don’ts of team building. Whether you’re considering your first hire or expanding a seasoned team, this episode will equip you with the mindset and tools to grow strategically.
Resources:
Ready to plan for 2025? Secure your spot in Melissa’s VIP planning sessions to map out your year with expert guidance. Click here: https://www.melissafranks.com/2025planning
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 hard truths and practical advice to help you make thoughtful choices that leave a lasting impression.
What You’ll Learn:
Why Swag Misses the Mark: Why logoed gifts are a waste of money and don't deliver the marketing or morale boost you think they will.
The Problem with Holiday Parties: Insight into why traditional parties may do more harm than good and how to create meaningful alternatives.
Gift-Giving Done Right: Discover how personalized gestures like handwritten notes or time off can make a bigger impact than cookie-cutter gifts.
Creative Client Appreciation Ideas: Why it’s crucial to personalize client gifts and how thoughtful gestures can strengthen relationships.
Alternatives to Traditional Holiday Gifting: Learn why giving back, offering cash bonuses, or surprising your team with time off might be the best gifts of all.
Melissa delivers actionable tips with her signature humor and candor, helping you navigate holiday gifting decisions with confidence and clarity.
Tune in and take your holiday giving to the next level! 🎁
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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, taking a well-deserved break, or feeling stuck—and how to tackle them head-on. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
How to analyze your business month by month.
Key metrics to evaluate: revenue, cash flow, sales strategies, and more.
The difference between duplicating and replicating successful months.
Culling the Dead Weight
Identifying what isn’t working in your business.
Setting clear, measurable goals for 2025.
The Importance of Rest
If you want to partner with an expert and have a clear plan for 2025, click here to learn more: Https://www.melissafranks.com/2025planning
Subscribe & Review:
Enjoying the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite platform.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 build a high-performing team.
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Clarity: Why clearly defined roles and responsibilities are the cornerstone of success.
Temporary vs. Permanent Changes: How to handle shifting responsibilities without creating confusion.
Leadership Tough Love: The responsibility of leaders to provide structure, give feedback, and set boundaries.
Accountability Culture: How clarity leads to responsibility and accountability, eliminating blame-game culture.
The "Why" Behind the Work: Inspiring your team by tying their roles to a larger mission.
Melissa offers actionable advice for business owners, CEOs, and managers who want to lead their teams with intention and see real results. Whether you're leading a small scrappy team or managing a corporate department, this episode will equip you with the tools to reset and thrive in 2025.
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram: @Melissa_Franks
Website: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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—traditional versus unconventional—and their impact on resilience.
Real-life examples of industries facing disruption, like the wine industry, and the lessons they offer for adapting and innovating.
Practical advice for overcoming stagnation in your business by fostering curiosity, asking better questions, and embracing solution-oriented thinking.
The importance of being a guide for your team, leading them through discomfort toward creativity, growth, and success.
Why engaging an outside expert can help you identify blind spots and accelerate your journey to achieving your goals.
Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or professional, Melissa equips you with tools to navigate chaos, identify opportunities, and cultivate a culture of adaptability. Tune in to learn how curiosity and resilience can lead to breakthroughs, even in the face of challenges.
Key Takeaways:
The pitfalls of clinging to traditional business methods.
How to pivot and innovate when stuck or in denial.
The magic of combining a growth mindset with external expertise for unstoppable results.
If you’re ready to stop playing it safe, embrace disruption, and lead your business toward long-term success, this episode is for you.
Subscribe, Review & Share! If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Share it with a friend or colleague who needs a boost of inspiration in their business journey.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 is for you. Melissa breaks down six core reasons behind low morale and offers actionable steps to address each one.
Episode Highlights:
Identify the Root Cause of Low Morale
Melissa emphasizes the importance of understanding that low morale can stem from various external and internal factors. The first step is to have honest conversations with team members to identify what’s really going on.
Poor Performers on the Team
Learn how not addressing a poor performer affects the whole team. Melissa shares a structured approach for addressing performance issues to ensure the rest of the team feels supported.
Limited Growth Opportunities
Melissa explains how lack of development and growth pathways can lead to disengagement. Discover simple ways to invest in your team’s growth, even in small business settings.
Toxic Work Culture
What defines a toxic culture, and how do you change it? Melissa tells a story of transforming a toxic workplace using core values and holding employees accountable, offering a blueprint for a culture reset.
Uncertain Future
Small businesses often have unpredictable phases, but Melissa stresses that it’s crucial to provide clarity. She provides tips for setting a clear vision to reduce anxiety and keep your team engaged.
Underutilized Talent
Do your team members have untapped skills? Melissa explains the importance of leveraging each person’s strengths for a more productive, motivated team.
Too Much Work, Too Few People
When workload exceeds capacity, morale plummets. Melissa discusses how to recognize when it’s time to expand your team or streamline tasks to prevent burnout.
Key Takeaways:
Communication is Key: Speak openly with team members to understand their challenges.
Leadership Matters: Morale starts at the top—leaders must embody the culture they want to see.
Team Empowerment: Involve your team in problem-solving and growth opportunities.
Whether you’re a business owner, team lead, or aspiring leader, Melissa’s insights will guide you in building a supportive and productive team environment. Don’t forget to connect with her on social media for more tips and join the conversation!
Call to Action:
Got questions about today’s topic? Drop Melissa a DM, comment on YouTube, or send an email to keep the discussion going. Remember, great teams make great businesses.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
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 owner, a survivor of domestic violence, and a mother of three boys navigating a landscape of shifting rights and responsibilities for women. Speaking directly to women in business, Melissa provides a raw, candid look at how political shifts impact women and what we can do to create change, empowerment, and resilience in our lives and work.
This episode covers:
A Moment of Personal Reflection: Melissa shares her reactions to the election and the lasting memories of past elections that left her feeling disappointed and vulnerable.
Women’s Rights and Domestic Violence: From her own experience, Melissa talks about the importance of women’s rights in personal and professional spaces, highlighting the challenges women face in society and the business world.
Five Powerful Actions for Women in Business: Melissa outlines actionable steps for women to create lasting impact, from speaking up for justice and supporting each other to building generational wealth and using economic power to uplift women-owned businesses.
An Invitation to Join the Movement: This episode isn’t just about resilience; it’s a rallying cry. Melissa calls on her listeners—female professionals, business owners, and allies—to band together, be successful, and drive a new paradigm for future generations.
Tune in to this poignant episode to gain insight, find inspiration, and feel the fire to keep moving forward. This one’s for every woman ready to turn disappointment into action and determination.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this conversation, Melissa discusses the fundamental principles of running a business, emphasizing the importance of clarity in defining what a business sells, who it sells to, and how it operates.
She outlines a framework for developing a business model, sales strategy, and marketing strategy, highlighting the interconnectedness of these elements in creating a cohesive business machine.
The discussion stresses the need for decision-making grounded in a clear understanding of the business's core offerings and constraints, ultimately guiding entrepreneurs towards sustainable growth and success.
Takeaways
The principles of business structure are universal across industries.
Clarity on what you sell and who you sell it to is crucial.
Your business model defines your products, consumers, and fulfillment methods.
Sales strategy should align with your business model and constraints.
Marketing strategies must be informed by your sales approach.
Understanding your business design is essential for operational success.
Decision-making should always return to the core business model.
A cohesive business machine requires all elements to work in tandem.
Clarity in business operations leads to effective planning and execution.
Continuous evaluation of your business model is necessary for growth.
If you want a clear plan for growth in 2025, secure you 2025 planning workshop today. Spaces are limited for these half day workshops where you will have a quarter by quarter plan for 2025. To learn more: https://www.melissafranks.com/2025planning
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa discusses the significance of feedback in business, emphasizing the need to cultivate a feedback culture. She explores the differences between formal and informal feedback, the importance of seeking input from both clients and non-clients, and shares a cautionary tale about Adidas's failure to listen to customer feedback. The conversation highlights how feedback can drive business growth and improve customer satisfaction, urging entrepreneurs to embrace feedback as a vital component of their strategy.
Takeaways
Feedback can transform your business culture.
Both formal and informal feedback are essential.
Understanding client feedback is crucial for growth.
Creating a feedback loop can prevent blind spots.
Regularly measuring customer satisfaction is vital.
Engaging with both buyers and non-buyers is important.
A culture of feedback fosters transparency and improvement.
Feedback should be sought proactively, not reactively.
Healthy businesses thrive on constructive criticism.
If you are ready for 2025? Do you have a big goal and don't know how to get there? Book a 2025 Planning Workshop - space is limited. Https://www.melissafranks.com/2025planning
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode Melissa discusses the essential aspects of people management, focusing on the importance of clarity in organizational structure, defining roles and responsibilities, setting performance metrics, and developing effective compensation strategies. She emphasizes the need for clear communication and regular performance appraisals to foster employee engagement and satisfaction, ultimately driving business success.
Takeaways
Managing people is a significant challenge for entrepreneurs.
Clarity in expectations is crucial for employee performance.
An organizational chart helps define accountability.
Job descriptions should outline responsibilities and performance metrics.
Setting quarterly goals allows for adaptability in dynamic businesses.
Understanding market conditions is essential for salary adjustments.
Merit increases should be based on performance evaluations.
Regular performance conversations are necessary for alignment.
Clear communication fosters a culture of performance.
Planning sessions can help businesses prepare for the upcoming year.
To schedule a 2025 planning session click here: https://www.melissafranks.com/2025planning
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa discusses her experiences attending multiple in-person events and shares five key insights about the benefits of networking, changing environments, fast-tracking skill acquisition, finding community, and gaining clarity in business.
She emphasizes the importance of human connection and encourages listeners to embrace opportunities for personal and professional growth through live events.
Key Take-aways from this episode are:
Attending in-person events can lead to significant networking opportunities.
Networking fosters human connection and community building.
Changing your environment can unlock new perspectives and creativity.
Immersive experiences at events can fast-track skill acquisition.
Finding your community at events can provide support and encouragement.
Live events allow for real-time feedback on your business messaging.
Human connection is essential in a world dominated by screens.
In-person interactions help rewire communication skills.
Events can inspire action and reinvigorate your passion for your work.
Investing in yourself by attending events can change your life.
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa discusses the challenges business owners face when feeling stuck and the importance of distinguishing between business coaches and expert consultants.
She emphasizes the need for skill acquisition through coaching and the value of expert advice for long-term solutions.
The conversation highlights the dangers of relying solely on quick fixes and the necessity of thorough research before hiring help. Melissa offers insights into how to navigate business stagnation and encourages listeners to seek the right expertise to unlock growth.
Feeling stuck in. your business? Schedule a free consultation today: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
Connect with Melissa:
Watch the Episodes on Youtube
Instagram: instagram.com/melissa_franks
Schedule a call: melissafranks.com
In this episode Melissa explores how to leverage the last 90 days of the year to gain a competitive edge. Drawing from Rachel Hollis’ "Last 90 Days Challenge" and Ed Mylett’s "Separation Season," Melissa shares strategies to keep pushing forward while others slow down, ensuring a strong finish to the year.
Key Points:
Last 90 Days Challenge: Inspired by Rachel Hollis, this challenge encourages setting three focused goals—two business, one personal—to stay on track during the final quarter.
Separation Season: Melissa explains Ed Mylett’s concept of outworking your peers when they’re resting, giving you an edge as you head into the new year.
Take Massive Action: The importance of reviewing your progress, setting actionable goals, and finishing the year strong.
Balancing Business and Person
If you have a business that is at least $3M in annual revenue, you are feeling stuck and want to stop spinning your wheels, schedule a free consultation today with Melissa https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
In this episode Melissa shares four key lessons learned from her journey as a fractional COO after her startup experience. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability in business strategies, the universality of business functions despite their unique implementations, the value of expertise over unnecessary reinvention, and the significance of recognizing when to say no to opportunities that do not align with one's goals. These insights are applicable to entrepreneurs and professionals navigating changes in their careers.
Melissa discusses the critical role of trust in business relationships and how to recognize when a deal is no longer viable. She shares personal experiences from her corporate career, emphasizing the importance of building and maintaining trust, the consequences of lost trust, and strategies for assessing trustworthiness in potential partnerships. Melissa encourages listeners to act with integrity, recognize when to walk away from a bad deal, and maintain professionalism throughout the process.
Takeaways
Trust is the foundation of any successful business relationship.
Recognizing when a deal is dead is crucial to avoid prolonged issues.
Building trust takes time and effort, but it can be lost quickly.
Understanding the backstory of a potential client is essential.
Specificity in contracts can prevent misunderstandings later on.
Open communication with decision-makers is vital for success.
Prolonging a bad deal can damage your brand and finances.
Acting with integrity is key, even in difficult situations.
It's important to assess trustworthiness before entering a deal.
Sometimes, walking away is the best option for all parties involved.
In this episode, Melissa discusses the importance of having a strategy and a plan in business. She emphasizes that while it may be tempting to act on inspiration and avoid necessary tasks, having a clear strategy and plan is crucial for long-term success.
Melissa explains that a strategy is a master plan for achieving multiple long-term results, while a plan is a specific, detailed course of action that yields a specific result.
She provides a step-by-step process for creating a strategy and plan, including defining long-term goals, determining the order of importance, and setting measurable metrics.
Melissa concludes by highlighting the benefits of having a structured approach to business.
Not sure how to get started? Schedule your free consultation today: https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices
This episode discusses the considerations and differences between hiring an employee or an independent contractor. Melissa emphasizes the importance of understanding employment laws and regulations specific to the state or jurisdiction in which the business operates.
The episode covers topics such as budgeting, job descriptions, directing work, duration of the role, and the financial implications of hiring an employee. The host provides guidance on how to make an informed decision based on the specific needs and circumstances of the business.
Takeaways
Understand the employment laws and regulations specific to your state or jurisdiction before making a hiring decision.
Consider your budget and determine how much you can afford to pay for the role.
Create a detailed job description to clearly define the responsibilities and qualifications for the position.
Decide how much control and direction you want to have over the work, including the location and hours of operation.
Evaluate the duration of the role and whether it is temporary or permanent.
Consider the financial implications of hiring an employee, including payroll taxes, benefits, and insurance.
An independent contractor can be a bridge until you can afford to hire an employee.
The decision between hiring an employee or an independent contractor depends on the level of risk, control, and affordability for the business.
Who Should I Hire Checklist https://oncallcoo.myflodesk.com/whoshouldihire
Melissa discusses the importance of career history and experiences in building a successful business. She shares her own journey and highlights the lessons she learned along the way. Melissa emphasizes the value of working for others, learning from mentors, and acquiring diverse skills and experiences.
She also explores the idea that your 20s are a time for hard work and learning, which sets the foundation for success in your 30s and beyond. Melissa encourages listeners to take the time to build a strong foundation and gain clarity on their goals before starting a business.
Takeaways
Your career history and experiences play a crucial role in building a successful business.
Working for others, learning from mentors, and acquiring diverse skills and experiences are essential steps in the journey.
Your 20s are a time for hard work and learning, which sets the foundation for success in your 30s and beyond.
Take the time to build a strong foundation and gain clarity on your goals before starting a business.
Melissa shares five people management hacks for small business owners. She emphasizes the importance of effective communication, establishing a communication approach and process, and using a project management tool.
She also highlights the value of creating a weekly list of priorities to provide transparency and accountability.
Melissa advises hiring experts to reduce the need for extensive management and to improve productivity. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of asking questions and having open conversations with team members to gain clarity and address issues.
Lastly, she introduces the three strikes rule as a simple and effective way to manage performance.
This conversation discusses the evolutionary stages of business growth and the importance of building a team. The stages range from doing everything alone to having a fully functioning business with executives and directors.
The conversation emphasizes the misconception that as a business owner, you can pick and choose how you spend your time as your business becomes more successful.
It also highlights the fallacy that hiring people and outsourcing functions automatically buys back your time. The key is to hire the right people, manage them effectively, and delegate work to free up time for strategic activities.
Takeaways
Building a team is crucial for business growth and success.
The stages of business growth range from doing everything alone to having a team of executives and directors.
Hiring people and outsourcing functions does not automatically buy back your time; effective management is necessary.
By hiring the right people, managing them effectively, and delegating work, you can free up time for strategic activities.
The goal is to reach a stage where you can choose how you spend your time and have the freedom to focus on what you enjoy most.
To schedule a free consultation click here: https://www.melissafranks.com
To Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo
In this podcast episode, Melissa discusses five common myths that business owners believe. She emphasizes:
the importance of not relying on out-of-the-box solutions,
the need to delegate tasks and seek help,
the misconception that working 24/7 is necessary for success,
the fallacy that lower prices attract more customers,
and the idea that taking on debt is essential for business growth.
Melissa provides insights and advice on each myth, encouraging business owners to critically evaluate their decisions and prioritize customization, value, and financial stability.
Takeaways
Avoid relying on out-of-the-box solutions and instead focus on customization to meet the unique needs of your business.
Delegate tasks and seek help to free up your time for high-value actions that contribute to business growth.
Working 24/7 is not necessary for success; taking breaks and maintaining balance is important for problem-solving and overall well-being.
Lowering prices does not guarantee more customers; focus on communicating the value of your product or service.
Taking on debt is not essential for business growth; carefully evaluate the return on investment and consider alternative funding options.
To schedule a free consultation click here: https://www.melissafranks.com
To Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo
In this episode, Melissa discusses the little mistakes that can create big problems in business. She emphasizes the importance of reading the fine print in contracts, not letting contracts lapse, and having contracts with clients.
Melissa also highlights the significance of getting trademarks, patents, and copyrights to protect intellectual property.
Additionally, she advises creating a central place to store documents and emphasizes the need for job descriptions and performance targets.
Finally, Melissa stresses the importance of paying people on time to maintain credibility and trust.
Takeaways
Read the fine print in contracts to avoid future problems
Don't let contracts lapse and ensure renewal or termination is discussed in advance
Have contracts with clients to protect both parties
Get trademarks, patents, and copyrights to safeguard intellectual property
Create a central place to store documents for easy access and organization
Develop job descriptions and performance targets for employees
Pay people on time to maintain credibility and trust
Have a question? Schedule a consultation today with Melissa: https://oncallcoo.as.me/consultation
In this episode, Melissa discusses how to effectively manage time and increase productivity in a business setting.
She emphasizes the importance of having a master calendar that includes all commitments and scheduling everything, including dedicated working time.
Melissa also encourages saying no to unnecessary meetings and eliminating distractions to stay focused.
She highlights the need for communication and setting boundaries to ensure everyone understands and respects each other's time. By implementing these strategies, businesses can optimize their time management and enhance productivity.
Ways to contact Melissa:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo
Instagram: @melissa_franks
Email: Melissa@melissafranks.com
For a limited time you an book a free consultantion call. To schedule: https://www.melissafranks.com
In this episode, Melissa discusses the importance of effective communication in people management. She emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their job title, manages people in some capacity.
Melissa provides examples of common people management challenges, such as unresponsiveness and attitude problems, and offers strategies for addressing them through clear communication, setting expectations, and providing feedback.
She also highlights the need to manage leverage and ensure that no individual becomes indispensable to the organization. Overall, the episode emphasizes the role of communication in building successful relationships and achieving desired outcomes in the workplace.
Ways to contact Melissa:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo
Instagram: @melissa_franks
Email: Melissa@melissafranks.com
The episode discusses Melissa's awakening at a conference and the impact it had on her business identity. It explores the importance of adapting to changes in the business environment and the insights gained from attending a conference. The experience at the conference led to a new understanding of entrepreneurship and a reevaluation of the entrepreneurial spirit.
Takeaways
Adapting to changes in the business environment is crucial for professional growth.
Attending conferences and events can provide valuable insights and new perspectives.
Understanding the entrepreneurial spirit and community is essential for business identity and growth.
To Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo/podcasts
This episode Melissa discusses the recent buyback of Beauty Counter by its founder, Greg Renfro, after private equity firm Carlyle Group acquired the majority shareholder interest in the company. The conversation explores the implications of this buyback and the challenges faced by Renfro in rebuilding the business. It also highlights the human element of such transactions, particularly the impact on the 65,000 brand advocates who relied on Beauty Counter for income. The episode concludes with advice for individuals working in companies undergoing private equity partnerships.
Takeaways
Private equity firms have a three to five-year time horizon and their goal is to make the business more profitable and sell it for a profit.
Private equity transactions often result in significant changes, disruption, and transformation within the company.
Individuals working in companies undergoing private equity partnerships should be prepared for change, adopt a change is good mindset, and separate themselves from the business by focusing on their own skills and value.
The human element of private equity transactions, including the impact on employees and brand advocates, is often overlooked and can have significant consequences.
The buyback of Beauty Counter presents a challenging opportunity for the founder to rebuild the business and address the issues that led to its financial troubles.
To Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo/podcasts
In this episode, Melissa discusses the difference between show and tell and the importance of demonstration and explanation in business. She highlights how show and tell in kindergarten is the first opportunity to practice presentation skills and emphasizes the need to cultivate and capitalize on this skill throughout life.
Melissa explains that telling provides information and facts, while demonstrating and explaining give practical exhibitions and convey understanding.
She explores the significance of demonstration and explanation for employees, people leaders, and business owners, and emphasizes the need for dramatic demonstrations to capture attention and communicate the value of the business. Melissa also discusses the importance of demonstrating well and avoiding poor demonstrations.
Takeaways
Show and tell in kindergarten is the first opportunity to practice presentation skills.
Demonstration and explanation are essential in business to communicate value and drive decisions.
Employees should leverage demonstration and explanation to provide evidence of competence and propel their careers.
People leaders should demonstrate behaviors and inspire others to act and operate in a specific way.
Business owners have the responsibility to set the vision, cast a vision of the future, and demonstrate the value of the company.
Dramatic demonstrations are necessary to capture attention and communicate the value of the business.
Demonstrating well involves showing by doing, providing feedback, and being repetitive.
Poor demonstrations involve taking over, critiquing, and retaliating.
The art of performance and communication skills are crucial for success in business.
To Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo/podcasts
In this episode, Melissa Franks discusses the possibility of pivoting and making changes in one's career or personal life. She shares her own personal story of going through a major life shift and how she applied her skills and expertise to navigate through it.
Melissa emphasizes that everyone has an unending bank of skills and expertise that can be transferred to different situations. She encourages listeners to focus on their favorite skills and lead with them when making a change. Clarity and confidence are key in taking action and embracing change.
Takeaways
Everyone has an unending bank of skills and expertise that can be transferred to different situations.
Focus on your favorite skills and lead with them when making a change.
Clarity and confidence are key in taking action and embracing change.
Change is inevitable, so it's better to be prepared and continuously acquire skills.
To Watch the Podcast on YouTube, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@oncallcoo/podcasts
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
In this episode, Melissa discusses the business aspects of the WNBA and the opportunities for growth and increased revenue. She emphasizes that comparing the WNBA to the NBA is not valid due to the vast differences in revenue and market size. Melissa explains that the WNBA is still in its early stages and has the potential for exponential growth. She encourages viewers to look at the WNBA as a ground floor opportunity and highlights the importance of understanding the business side of sports.
Takeaways
The WNBA and NBA are not comparable due to differences in revenue and market size.
The WNBA is in its early stages and has the potential for significant growth.
The WNBA can increase revenue by expanding to more cities, adding more games, or extending the season.
Comparing salaries between the WNBA and NBA is not valid as they are different business models.
Small businesses offer different opportunities and benefits compared to large corporations.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
In this episode, Melissa reflects on her first quarter of 2024 and discusses her experiences with starting a management consultancy agency and exploring full-time employment opportunities. She shares the challenges and successes she encountered, including securing clients and taking risks.
She emphasizes the importance of unwavering belief, mastery, clarity on what to do and not do, and the ability to work hard while being present in personal life. She encourages listeners to review their own quarterly progress and set new goals for the upcoming quarter.
Takeaways
Breaking down the year into 12-week sprints can help focus and achieve goals
Starting a business requires intentional networking, specific offers, and clarity on the type of clients and work desired
Taking risks and believing in oneself are key to success
Being clear on personal values and priorities helps in selecting the right opportunities
Working hard and being present in your personal life are not mutually exclusive
Reviewing quarterly progress and setting new goals is important for continued growth and success
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
In this episode, Melissa Franks answers listener questions about personal branding, asking for an unpaid sabbatical, networking without alcohol, and dealing with being talked over. She emphasizes the importance of personal branding as a way to shape one's reputation and highlights the need to align one's personal brand with their desired image.
Melissa provides a step-by-step guide for asking for an unpaid sabbatical, including calculating the costs and risks for the company and presenting a compelling value proposition.
She acknowledges the challenges of networking in environments centered around alcohol and suggests finding alternative ways to network or considering a change in workplace culture.
Lastly, Melissa shares her own experience of being talked over and offers strategies for setting boundaries and seeking support from allies.
Takeaways
Personal branding is about shaping your reputation and aligning it with your desired image.
When asking for an unpaid sabbatical, calculate the costs and risks for the company and present a compelling value proposition.
If networking events centered around alcohol make you uncomfortable, consider finding alternative ways to network or seeking a workplace with a different culture.
When being talked over, set boundaries by calmly and assertively calling out the behavior, and seek support from allies.
It's important to continuously assess and evolve your personal brand to ensure it aligns with your goals and values.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Resources:
Chameleon Resumes - https://chameleonresumes.com/
Involuntary Exit by Robin Merle - https://www.amazon.com/Involuntary-Exit-Womans-Guide-Thriving/dp/1647423090
Connect with me:
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Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
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Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Consistency is a buzzword that often triggers people to tune out, it is a word that is often thrown around but not truly explained especially in the context of achieving your goals. In today’s episode, we are here to challenge that notion and explore why consistency is the key to success.
Over the next 40 minutes, I dive into the challenging questions as we examine the evidence and industries that thrive on our inconsistency and how we can make lasting changes to finally become consistent. I also discuss the link between consistency and our overall wellbeing. I share lessons in consistency that I have learned along the way and how you can apply it to various aspects of your life. It's time to buckle down and finish this year stronger than ever before. Let's Opt In and make consistency you superpower.
Tune into hear:
- 3 ways to apply consistency in your life
- How to build a structure for consistency that lasts
- Industries that sell to you based on inconsistencies
- The connection between consistency and mental health
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
During the last 90 days, you may find yourself realizing you need to make a change whether in your corporate career or in your business. This is where the power of the pivot comes in. In today's episode, we're diving into the power of pivoting and how you can utilize it to keep you on the path to success.
Over the next 40 minutes, we explore why many entrepreneurs are returning to the workplace and how their unique skill set can bring value to corporate environments. We discuss the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt in the face of change. Whether you're participating in the 90-day challenge or simply looking for guidance on achieving your goals during the holiday season, this episode is packed with valuable insight.
Tune into hear:
- Understanding the concept of pivoting
- How to navigate layoffs
- Knowing when it is time to change the plan and pivot
- The importance of utilizing a pivot for success in your business or career
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
With the last 90 days of the year upon us, it's more important than ever to ditch the distractions and focus on our goals. In today’s episode, we are diving into the world of distracted working and living and how to master being laser focused.
Over the next 37 minutes, I share personal stories and experiences that highlight the challenges of distractions and the importance of creating a clutter-free workspace. Plus, we'll explore different techniques from mindfulness breathing to meditation that can help combat stress, improve focus, and increase productivity.
Tune into hear:
- Recap of the last 90 days challenge
- The importance of scheduling and actually taking breaks
- Using journaling to manage stress
- Four techniques for improving focus
- How our environment affects our focus and workload management
Last 90 Days Challenge https://buy.stripe.com/00g9Egeayfp5cQU004
Connect with me:
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
We're challenging the narrative that success demands sacrificing everything – our health, relationships, and financial stability in today’s episode and diving into something we all need to prioritize, rest. During the last 90 days of 2023, we are taking a balanced approach, away from the hustle and grind mentality.
Over the next 30 minutes, we explore the impact of social media on our perception of success, and how it often glamorizes the belief that hard work and loving the process are the keys to achievement. I'll share my own journey of learning to prioritize rest in my high-performance lifestyle. We'll discuss the importance of taking breaks, gaining fresh perspectives, and ensuring that our commitment to success doesn't come at the expense of our well-being. So, if you're ready to challenge the status quo and find a new path to success – one that embraces rest and balance – then this episode is your golden ticket!
Tune into hear:
- How to incorporate rest even within the busy seasons
- The Last 90 Days Challenge
- Benefits you gain from taking the time to schedule rest
- Social media’s impact on our perception of success
Last 90 Days Challenge https://buy.stripe.com/00g9Egeayfp5cQU004
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
What went well? What didn’t work well? What did I learn? The three questions that I ask myself at the end of every quarter. Q3 is over and that means it is time for a recap and setting new goals to kick off Q4 and finish the year strong.
Over the next 38 minutes, I dive into my process for evaluating the quarter and how you can use this information to build a plan for the next. I also chat about the significance of setting clear goals, gaining clarity, and the power of believing in yourself. Get ready to take charge of your life and make the most out of these last 90 days.
Tune into hear:
- How to embrace a winning mindset
- My process on evaluating each quarter and setting new goals
- Setting clear and specific goals
- Framework for the last 90 days
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Have you ever realized that you've been limiting your own growth and success? As we head into a new season, it is a great time to look back and analyze the path that you have been on. Fall is often a time when people tend to slow down but I challenge you to use it as a time to get ahead, make those bold moves, and tackle your limiting beliefs.
In this episode, we explore the concept of limiting beliefs and how they impact our mental health and overall success plus how you can get out of your own way and look outside of your beliefs. I also share my secret for finding mentorship that aligns with your specific goals and aspirations. Tune in for an eye-opening episode packed with practical strategies to stop your beliefs from getting in your way.
Tune into hear:
- Importance of having diverse friendships and seeking mentorship
- How to recognize and remove limiting beliefs
- Making the most of fall and "separation season"
- What is separation season?
Alex Hormozi - The Game https://spotify.link/18Jl13JajDb
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
We all have a personal brand and how we cultivate, build, and self-reflect affects how our brand is perceived personally and professionally. In today’s episode, we are diving into the importance of personal branding and continuously evolving and being aware of the impact you have.
Over the next 40 minutes, I share my tips from over 15 years of personal brand building and maintaining a healthy network. I discuss the significance of having a clear, polished elevator pitch and how to align your personal brand across all platforms. I share my experiences of trial and error to redefining my message and identity.
Tune into hear:
- Crafting a clear elevator pitch
- The importance of having a personal brand
- Building connections and relationships through networking
- Regularly checking in and tweaking your brand identity
- How your daily habits reflect your true self
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Are you asking yourself if you even know where you want to go with your career? In today’s episode, I am sharing a personal revelation that made me re-evaluate my past career choices. I am talking about the biggest career mistake that I have made and kept making over and over for decades.
Over the next 40 minutes, I dive into my past career philosophy of saying “yes, why not” and how that has negatively affected aspects of my career. I also share my story of how I started my career and what led me to the turning point to search for a new job. I provide questions and practical tips to ask yourself before making your next career move and how to align your career with your goals and values.
Tune into hear:
- Importance of being intentional in building a career and achieving success
- The career mistake that you can avoid
- How to identify what needs to change professionally
- Questions to ask yourself before your next career move
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/333177?bundle_token=b6dec68e1edf9b5de651e160c10d0f88&utm_source=manual
Today we welcome Megan Kjolsing to the show! Megan is a licenesd therapist and coach. Her mission is to help women ditch their inner people-pleaser to find their voice, passion, and self. She is passionate about advocating for mental health in the workplace which is the topic of today’s episode.
During our conversation, Megan shares the importance of recognizing that people are at the heart of any successful business, even in a numbers-driven world. We explore how ignoring mental health issues can lead to a decline in productivity and overall success, and why it is crucial for managers and leaders to intervene and offer support. We also dive into the benefits of blending personal and professional lives and recognizing the warning signs of a toxic work environment plus how to get out of it.
Tune into hear:
- Practical advice for career and life success
- The importance of caring for people in the workplace
- Recognizing signs of a toxic work environment
- How to communicate your personal challenges at work
- Our mental health’s impact on our work
Connect with Megan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganmkjolsing
https://onamission.bio/megankjolsing/
Connect with me:
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
Today’s episode is the last of our “What the F” series and is one we all tend to avoid like the plague, failure. Naturally, none of us want to fail at anything that we do and often emotions such as blame and shame are attached to our failures in the workplace. The Harvard Business Review did a study and found that only two to 5% of people’s failures are considered blameworthy vs the 70%-90% that are often found blameworthy in the workplace.
Over the next 43 minutes, I dive into the world of failure from its classical definition to what you should do when failure happens. I chat about the paradigms that exist within failure and the pros and cons around them. I also discuss the emotions that often are attached to failure and how you can navigate them when failure occurs.
In today’s episode, I cover:
- What actually is failure?
- How to navigate through a failure in the workplace
- The role that blame plays when failure occurs
- Importance of taking accountability and demonstrating leadership
Connect with me:
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Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
We are back with part two of our three part series, “What the F”? Today we are chatting all about frustration because no matter who you are, you experience some kind of frustration every single day. Some days you might be able to brush it off and others it feels like it is wrapped around you.
Over the next 44 minutes, I dive into frustration and how it can present in your workplace as well as your personal life. I discuss the importance of recognizing and managing this stress early on, as well as practical tools and strategies to alleviate frustration. I also share relatable stories and practical scenarios to illustrate the power of managing frustration in the workplace.
In today’s episode, I cover:
- How to identify stress and manage it early on
- Common frustrations experienced in the workplace
- Practical tactics to deal with workplace stress and frustration
- Walk through of three scenarios of frustration + solutions
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
Today’s episode marks the start of a three-part series titled “What the F”. The “F” we are focusing on this week is one we all know too well, Fear. Fear is something that you can not experience one day and the next you are paralyzed. It is also a mindset that is easy to get trapped in especially when it comes to your work.
Over the next 40 minutes, I dive into what fear is and how it can present itself to you as well as getting out of the fear mindset. I share my time tested tips on how to manage fear so you can thrive in your career and personal life. Join me as I discuss navigating the complex world of fear, its impact on our careers, and how we can regain control and thrive in the face of adversity.
In today’s episode, I cover:
- What is fear?
- How to identify fear at work and your everyday life
- Identifying your triggers around fear
- Tips on managing fear to thrive in your work & life
- Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
We all know that trying to juggle work and personal items can be a struggle, add in vacation to the mix when the work doesn’t stop and you can feel your stress level skyrocket! In today’s episode, we are tackling the idea of a working vacation and I share my formula on how you can do both.
Over the next 30 minutes, I discuss how to advocate for yourself to take vacation time and if you simply can’t step away from your workload, what you can do to get both in. I share my dos and don’ts when it comes to working while on vacation and give you practical tips that you can implement before, during, and after for a less stressful time. Join me as we explore the best practices for successfully navigating work commitments while still enjoying your well-deserved vacation
In today’s episode, I cover:
- Practical tips for working on vacation
- How to schedule your vacation for work and play
- The purpose of vacations
- What you need to prioritize while on vacation
- Time blocking and the pencils down mentality
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
It's no secret that entrepreneurs often start as solopreneurs and have to wear multiple hats, but what about professionals in corporate structures? This is an area that is often not talked about enough or even thought about in a professional environment. The truth is you can tap into the entrepreneurial side to grow your skillset and become a better, more diverse asset.
During today’s episode, We'll examine the need for overlapping skills in different business functions and the lack of training provided. We'll also discuss the importance of feedback, coaching, and community in personal growth and development. So, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a corporate professional looking to expand your skill set, this episode is for you.
In today’s episode, I cover:
- Combining traditional and non-traditional experiences to differentiate oneself
- How to tap into the entrepreneurial market for acquiring new skills
- What skills overlap the corporate world and entrepreneurial world
- The importance of feedback and coaching in professional development
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
Today, we are welcoming Cynthia Corsetti to the show! Cynthia is an executive coach, business owner, and author of a book that is coming out later this year called Dark Drivers. She is passionate about giving professionals and business owners the tools they need to leverage communication, build influence and make a bigger impact.
Over the next 44 minutes, we dive into the importance of pre-ordering a book and the journey Cynthia took to become a published author. We explore the role of Neurolinguistic programming and the importance of empathy as a leader. As we discuss the impact of dark drivers on relationships and the power of identifying and understanding them, Cynthia offers valuable insights and advice for overcoming these challenges.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- The importance of pre-ordering books
- Definition of dark drivers in leadership
- How to gain control through identifying triggers
- The need for a new approach in Leadership books
- Challenges of understanding younger workers in a post-pandemic world
Connect with Cynthia:
To Pre-order Cynthia's Book Dark Drivers click here: https://darkdrivers.presale.manuscripts.com/registration/select
To Learn More About Cynthia click here: https://www.cynthiacorsetti.com/
To Connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiacorsetti/
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
Raise your hand if you consider yourself an over achiever or high performer or have been called a workaholic. We hear about these two often in the workplace or even in the entrepreneurial world, and today we are focused on what the difference is between the two and how they are viewed in the corporate sphere.
Over the next 40 minutes, I dive into what traits are associated with each of these two categories, what it looks like when you show up as an overachiever or high performer, and the consequences and benefits you may face. To wrap it all up, I share tips if you want to switch from one to the other!
In today’s episode, I cover:
- The traits of an over achiever + high performer
- Differences in treatment between high performers and over achievers
- Tips for switching from one type to the other
- Benefits of being self-aware and the impact on your career
- Consequences and benefits of being an over achiever or high performer
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
We are a little past the halfway mark of 2023 which is a great time to take a look at what goals you set, what you have achieved and what else you want to do. In today’s episode, we are focusing on setting midyear goals in a professional setting in a way that aligns with your personal values.
During today’s conversation, I share practical and insightful tips on how you can set effective goals and how you can actually achieve them. The beauty of your goals being your goals alone means that you can prioritize fun over the monotonous work. I share my secrets to keeping track of your progress and how to celebrate every win. Join me as we head into the last 6 months of 2023 with our sights set on hitting our goals, personally and professionally.
In today’s episode, I cover:
- The importance of goal setting in a professional environment
- How to set effective and clear goals
- Practical tips on how to actually achieve your goals
- How to define your goals the right way
- Aligning your goals with your personal values
Freebie: The Do's and Don'ts of Goal Setting: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64a34dc0b915202daed171fa
Connect with me:Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Intentional Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
It’s that time again! The second quarter has come and gone which means it’s time for my quarterly review. Every quarter these reviews are always penciled into my calendar as I manage life as a mom, C-suite executive, and inside of a start-up so that I don’t lose sight of my goals.
Over the next 40 minutes, I dive into my process when it comes to quarterly reviews, I recap how it went and what I learned, and how to find clarity around your goals and break them down into manageable chunks. I pull back the curtain to guide you through, step by step on setting goals for Q3 and my experience over the last two years. It's time for reflection, reassessment, and taking control of your goals!
In today’s episode, I cover:
- Breaking goals down into 12-week chunks
- The significance of quarterly progress updates
- Practical tips for conducting mid-year reviews
- How to actively advocate and participate in annual goals
- Creating clarity around setting goals
- Recap of the second quarter
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Are you tired of zipping your lips? Not following your instincts? All for the sake of being polite and not wanting to step on anyone's toes, then today’s episode is especially for you. Being polite is defined as behaving in a way that is socially correct, the catch here is the word socially. Let’s dive into how politeness is not the same thing as kindness, especially in your workplace.
During today’s episode, I focus on the importance of feedback and how it should be done in the workplace. I address the dangers of suppressed feedback, the importance of being open to others’ interpretations, and the need for kindness over politeness in corporate America.
In today’s episode, I cover:
- Tips for providing constructive feedback
- The difference between being polite and being kind
- Being direct and timely with feedback to avoid confusion
- The importance of understanding context and human behavior
- Feedback challenges during the pandemic
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
International Career Collective: https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/310198?bundle_token=603bd500c8d9ff58c1e49442074de60d&utm_source=manual
In today’s episode, I am diving deep into something that needs to be talked about more, Intrapreneurship. In 2020, we saw in the news daily about people jumping ship from their corporate jobs to start their own businesses, in fact, small business permits went up by 20%. I share my own journey of intrapreneurship, tips on how to become one, and how you can use it to leverage yourself further in your career.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- What is intrapreneurship?
- How to become an intrapreneur
- Avoiding the pitfalls of business today
- The first steps to take to become a successful intrapreneur
- Leveraging your skills to further your career
To access the offers mentioned in this episode:
Pitch IT https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/309511?bundle_token=5a746c86b9cff31b967f4775f66839de&utm_source=manual
Close IT https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/309317?bundle_token=26879299d40c9d27859a107e53a892e8&utm_source=manual
Pitch IT and Close IT Bundle https://intentional-career-collective.mn.co/plans/308051?bundle_token=631aa8c6a773dc5a9e361c3ba1432c2d&utm_source=manual
Connect with me:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Today, I am joined by special guest, Katie Barnett. Katie is a mom of three, an entrepreneur and host of the Level After Next podcast. She shares how to take action towards your dreams by breaking down your big hairy goals into actionable steps. Over the next 50 minutes, we dive deep into how creating meaningful connections can grow your business and network leading to more sales and a deeper sense of community. Tune in to learn how to create an action plan, find resources to achieve your goals, and help others achieve theirs.
In this episode, we cover:
- The importance of creating connections
- How to overcome fear to pursue your dreams
- Networking to grow your business
- Proven strategies to build your action plan
- How to break down your goal into actionable steps
- Asking for help in your personal life and business
Connect with Katie:IG:@ktannebarnett
Website: www.levelafternextorg.com
Connect with me:Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Raise your hand if you find yourself in a busy season and are completely overwhelmed. It's the end of the school year, you're trying to reach your own goals and keep your sanity. In today’s episode, I pull back the curtain to share tips I have learned over the years to make this busy season a heck of alot easier than busy seasons of the past.
In this episode, we cover:
- Identifying priorities and what to focus on
- How to plan for busy periods in advance
- Tips to take care of yourself during a busy season
- Get ahead of challenges by anticipating them
- The importance of an accountability buddy
Connect with me:
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me:
www.melissafranks.com/offers
For further support on this topic download the Busy Season Framework: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64713d8d3e266b3df9f1ddc4
Urvashi Bhatnagar joins me for today’s episode. Urvashi is a Yale University graduate, holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Boston University, is the co-author of The Sustainability Scorecard: How to Implement and Profit from Unexpected and is a healthcare executive. Tune in to hear how she pivoted her career from clinical work to strategic endeavors all while staying true to her life's mission.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- How Urvashi got interested in healthcare
- Her advice for first time professionals
- Leveraging experience and expertise
- Urvashi’s journey from business school to consulting
- The importance of understanding your audience and their needs
- Urvashi’s big mission that she is currently chasing
To connect with Urvashi follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urvashibhatnagarmba/
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
If thinking about changing your habits makes you want to run away, then today’s podcast is for you. I dive into a few tools that have changed my life and I know have the power to change yours too, habit stacking, setting goals and the morning routine that works for you. Simply put, you can change the habits, you can change the behavior, you can have confidence in yourself, you can have credibility with yourself, and then you can live a more peaceful existence. Let's dive in!
In this episode, we cover:
- What is habit stacking?
- Learning to trust yourself
- How habit stacking can make your life easier
- Crafting a morning routine that works for you
- The importance of establishing credibility in your habits
- Understand the bigger picture + goals
Connect with me:
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/melissa_franks
Work with me:
www.melissafranks.com/offers
For Support in this area, see these free resources:
Fool Proof Guide to a Successful Monday: https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page
5 Minutes for a Purposeful Day: https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page/ec4360449d
Join me in today’s episode with Scottie Durrett who is the host of the Momplex podcast, founder of the High Vibes Mom Club and a certified life coach who supports Mom's in their journey to show up in the best way possible for their families and most importantly themselves. I absolutely loved our time together. We chat about piling shame on top of shame, syncing calendars as a family group, living true to your core values, and even our thoughts about Mother’s Day. We cover it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Tune in to hear:
- Dropping the victim mindset about mom guilt
- The importance of sharing your struggles with others
- Scottie’s Sunday Sync and how it works
- Setting your calendar using your priorities
- Why not just be kind to yourself?
- Mother’s Day doesn’t magically fix everything
- The best and worst advice Scottie was given as a new mom
To connect with Scottie, you can find her on Instagram @scottiedurrett and subscribe to her Podcast Momplex on your favorite listening platform.
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
The term “hustle” or “hustler” has varied in its meaning over the years. Once as referring to perhaps shady business practices, then to a badge of honor, and currently is viewed as a workaholic. Anti-hustle culture emerged as a result of the pandemic, and in today’s episode I share some guidance on how to opt out of the “hustle” conversation and how to opt in to living the life and having the career that you desire most.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- The evolution of the term “hustle”
- Who is the “corporate bragger”?
- My moment of reflection
- The difference between hustle culture and anti-hustle culture
- How to shift the paradigm in business
- Celebrating the value, not the sacrifice
For more support on the tactics shared in this episode you can check out these free resources:
5 Minutes to a Purposeful Day: https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page/ec4360449d
Foolproof Guide to a Successful Monday: https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page
Connect with me:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
Raise your hand if you have second guessed a decision you made, either in your personal or professional life. In the work setting, there really isn’t anyone pointing out to us that we didn’t pick wisely, and so we end up in situations that are not what you expected and not what you signed up for. Today’s episode is all about how you can tell if your picker is broken, what to do, and practical ways for you to operate over time in the situation where the change is needed. And if your picker hasn’t led you astray, I’ve got some homework for you to help others see if their picker is malfunctioning.
Tune in to hear:
- My experience when my picker was broken
- How do you know that you need to analyze if you chose wrong?
- How to identify what you love to do the most
- Discover the environment that you want to be in
- Helping someone realize they may be in the wrong role at the wrong time
- The importance of giving yourself grace
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
Flashback to April, 2022 when I was the COO of a company that I had been working for the last 15 years. A third party company was brought in to conduct yet another assessment on the leadership positions, and I was determined to ace it and prove I was worthy of my position. My results from this assessment, and the conversation I had with the assessor in a follow up conversation lit a fire in me that allowed me to believe I was meant for bigger, not smaller.
In today’s episode, I share the importance of mentorship in every aspect of one's life and give you steps and recommendations so you don’t go through a similar painful process. Whatever your dreams are, a mentor will help you achieve it faster.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- Thank you to the man who lit a fire in me
- How to find a mentor
- Taking the action plan and taking action
- Why mentorship is important for every goal
- Having a mentor during seasons of shifting
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
The podcast’s very first guest episode welcomes Becca Schweitzer, a human resources professional and a people engagement expert. She has built her expertise working in the healthcare industry supporting teams of 2 to hundreds and helping them through some of the toughest years the industry has seen. These teams are multi-generational and diverse and she shares her unique perspective on how taking action is truly being engaged.
Becca shares her philosophy of employee and people engagement as well as the missteps companies take when promoting it. Becca then provides advice for multi generational environments and how to use the demographic makeup of the company to drive decisions such as data collection. Last, she provides questions to ask during the interview process to learn more about the company’s culture, and taking discretionary action actively within the company.
Tune in to hear:
- Becca’s HR background
- How employee engagement is our free will
- How leaders can get feedback from employees
- Engagement for workplaces with multiple generations
- The importance of recognition and appreciation
- Questions to ask about engagement when interviewing for a job
- Becca’s advice for new employees
Connect with Becca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-schweitzer-9b062a33/
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
The last week of each quarter is one of my favorites, and the reason isn’t what you would think. No, it’s not about business results, but instead all about how I executed my plan. In today’s episode, I quickly review how 2022 ended and the beginning of Q1 began when I shifted into the startup world, teach you how to create quarterly goals by looking in the rearview mirror as well as looking ahead, and also share my new goals for the second quarter.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- Why quarterly goals are important
- The 3 goals I set for Q1, and which were met and and which were not
- How to holistically audit goals and priorities
- What does it take to be successful?
- How to look forward into the next quarter
- Setting goals that are personally and emotionally aligned with you
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington
Grab the quarterly audit here: https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page/4c7b27cd1d
Connect with me:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
This one is all about the B word: boundaries. You may or may not want to look at your reflection in the mirror on this topic, but it’s important to get a bit uncomfortable here, because you’re going to have a spark that ignites during this episode that will have you ready to make changes immediately. So, buckle up as I share about how to figure out what’s going on, setting boundaries and navigating needed changes as a result, determining what to do next, and how to keep the boundaries going for the long haul.
Tune in to hear:
- What does it mean to lose sight of the shoreline?
- How to identify and diagnose the problem
- Setting and honoring boundaries with clear communication
- How to decide which boundary is the most important
- Boundaries can change as your life circumstances change
Connect with me:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Free resources: https://www.melissafranks.com/freebies
Gone are the days of cohorts of new employees into corporations, all being onboarded and mentored together at the beginning of their careers. Many college graduates are entering the corporate world without this mentorship, as many companies have gone away with this structure. Some may call it the Wild Wild West, and others the survival of the fittest. I, too, didn’t have this onboarding experience and in today’s episode, I share how I started and how to not follow my lead so you can start with success. And if you are in a managerial position, I also share with you how you can support and be a role model for new employees who are starting their careers.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- My start in the corporate world at 20
- How to build credibility when starting your career
- How to become a better communicator for sales and life skills
- The responsibilities of managers to enable the success of young employees
- Resources for employees and managers
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Resources:
Persuade for Good - https://guideculture.kartra.com/page/LdO259
5 Tips for a Successful Resume Freebie - https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page/3395ce934a
7 Secret Interview Tips Freebie - https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page/fc0868be5b
Proven Method for Asking for a Raise Freebie - https://freebiesmelissafranks.ck.page/d5f7d74463
International Women’s Day was on March 8th, and the theme was “equity.” In today’s episode, I am fired up about something disastrous that happened on this very day when a woman with influence and a large following slammed the organization publicly. I share how women are actually not supporting other women, and why so many women are leaving the business world day in and day out. This has to stop and I include how we can teach that there is a better way. Even though this topic is uncomfortable, we have a part to play in shifting the corporate paradigm, because no one is a bystander in this, we are all experiencing this, male or female.
Tune in to hear:
- The disastrous public story that sparked this episode
- Why it’s an “us” versus “us” mentality
- How to stop this behavior in the workplace
- The importance of being clear on your values
- Realizing your personal bias and how to learn from it
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
The Law of Attraction is that like attracts like. I was in my 40s when I realized I had spent the last 20 years of my career unintentionally manifesting and attracting what I didn’t want. I was thinking negatively, manifesting poor outcomes, and those were becoming reality. In today’s episode, I share with you how I began to manifest the life and career I wanted that led to my very first intentional career move. If you are currently in a negative loop, perhaps not realizing it, I hope that my stories, examples, and insights help you become aware so you can begin to manifest and attract the good and positive outcomes that you deserve.
In today’s episode, we cover:
- How I thought I was a badass
- How I became aware of what I was manifesting
- The moral of like attracts like
- The importance of looking for the good
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Resources:
Books:Super Attractor by Gabby Bernstein
The Universe Has Your Back by Gabby Bernstein
Podcasts:
Dear Gabby
https://open.spotify.com/show/24ayLlNtpav44vsHPdeNi1?si=1D_sbsh3RymovdcuKEibNw
The School of Greatness
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GUMhbhcQLWzvX9qnvdt1i?si=Z7wVX30dRXe4A7tdhQ1nJg
The Rachel Hollis Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2pkVYyWXfEDfjfBsSfePUY?si=2vb1guVqRoS4BGU2SV352g
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ihvGHkVau0ZviOivwziZi?si=Q77VVMaJRKSgKa7IBfqo4A
Are you going to work each day excited, or is there a disconnect somewhere? In today’s episode, I share how to go from stuck to unstuck with simple advice and tactics to make a change without relying on hope and then describe how to use forward looking action so you can be brave enough to make a decision on how to act. Whether you are a brand new employee in your very first corporate job, or a seasoned veteran, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
- The importance of being aware of your environment
- How to find a job that fits you
- Laying out your ideal work environment
- How to identify when you’re in the wrong place
- Taking action to change your circumstances
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Raise your hand if you have cried at work. The truth is: about half of women in the workplace have or will cry at work and it impacts people’s perceptions of you, whether right or wrong. Today’s episode is a big one because while your emotions may be something outside of your control, your response to them is within your control. I first share my own stories where I have cried at work, breakdown tips and steps to help you control your response when you find yourself on the verge of tears, and then I also discuss how you can support your colleague, as a bystander, when they find themselves in this position.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why crying at work is seen as a loss of power
- The difference between emotions and reactions
- What to do when you cry at work
- How you can be a supportive bystander
- The role of a leader when it comes to emotions
Connect with me:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Today we are ripping off the bandaid and talking about something that is more common than you might think: side hustles. In 2020, it was reported that 45% of Americans have a side hustle, in addition to their full time job. I share with you my own experience working as a C-suite executive with a side hustle in network marketing, and how I didn’t back down. I talk you through recommendations to help you navigate a side hustle alongside your corporate job, such as time management and leadership skills, because your choice to invest in yourself is worth it!
In this episode, we cover:
- Why Americans start a side hustle
- How I navigated taking heat for starting a side hustle in network marketing
- The benefits to having a side hustle
- How your company will benefit from your side hustle skills
Connect with me:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
A lot of us might think learning ends once you finish university, but the thing is continuous learning is so important even after you walk across the graduation stage. I learned this the hard way, and to help you avoid those same mistakes I am sharing all the reasons why you need to prioritize continuing education in your professional development. I talk about why growth is necessary, the hard lessons I learned about continuing education, and what I did to upskill myself.
In this episode, we cover:
- The hard lessons I learned in my own career [0:37]
- What your company doesn’t teach you [6:08]
- The best tips to test and learn your new skills [11:15]
- Where you can learn new skills [16:02]
- Other tips for seeking continuing education [25:35]
- Masterminds and mentors [29:04]
- Learning skills take time [36:54]
Opt In on You Pay Monthly https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/9e72qVMT
Opt In on You Pay in Full https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/5A4zLr6n
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
This week, I have been having so many conversations around layoffs in the tech sector, especially since there are a lot of big-name tech companies letting go of large portions of their staff. Layoffs happen in every sector and they aren’t some spur-of-the-moment decisions even though we tend to think they are. In this episode, I demystify the behind-the-scenes of layoffs sharing with you how current events plays a role, why layoffs should not be a taboo topic of discussion, how you can spot when a layoff may happen, and what to do when it is happening.
In this episode, we cover:
- Current circumstances that lead to layoffs [0:40]
- Demystifying the taboo topic of layoffs [4:06]
- Who makes the final decisions [9:26]
- Obvious signs that may signify a layoff [11:52]
- High vacancies, double the workload, and no promotions [19:03]
- How to protect yourself and your career [24:31]
- What to do and not do if layoffs are happening in your company [30:20]
Opt In on You Pay Monthly https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/9e72qVMT
Opt In on You Pay in Full https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/5A4zLr6n
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
In today’s conversation we are talking about networking, a super important aspect in the professional development space, but something that causes a lot of fear in people. Networking is tough because it requires you to be vulnerable by putting yourself out there yet confident. Now, the idea of networking can seem intimidating but I am breaking it down for you all. In this episode, I share what networking is, the ins and outs of networking, and how you can leave a lasting impression.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why networking is about who you know [0:44]
- The importance of relationships in networking [5:49]
- Leveraging your network and finding those who can help you [12:33]
- What it means to actually network [16:20]
- The real secret weapon of networking [22:30]
- How to network [26:10]
- Using LinkedIn the right way [30:17]
- The best way to reach out to people [35:46]
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Today’s conversation is all about productivity. It isn’t the sexiest topic but it sure is important because productivity is what helps us achieve our goals and continue a good momentum in our jobs. Now, the idea of tackling productivity can seem daunting, but have no fear! I am discussing my best tactics for ensuring you can get your tasks done more effectively, two myths about productivity you need to know, and the real secret to having a more efficient workday.
In this episode, we cover:
- Carrying on productivity throughout the year
- Why productivity sometimes fails in the workplace
- If productivity can be measured
- Why shorter meetings are not a shortcut for time management
- 10 small changes to improve productivity and efficiency
- The actual secret to productivity
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Opt In on You Pay in Full https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/5A4zLr6n
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Opt In on You Pay Monthly https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/9e72qVMT
Opt In on You Pay in Full https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/5A4zLr6n
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
Starting this week, we are going to be working through some critical topics in the corporate setting. We’re kicking things off by discussing goal setting at work. In today’s conversation, I discuss the reasons why businesses set goals, the different categories of goals, and the one major thing company goals are actually missing and what you need to do about it.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why all businesses set goals [0:42]
- Whether common goals actually help corporate culture [5:10]
- What growth and sustainability look like as a goal [8:19]
- The 4 types of goals and what is actually missing [12:00]
- How company goals are created [16:00]
- The steps you can take to have your goals align with company goals [22:09]
- Why you need to be specific about your goals [28:05]
- Things to consider when creating your goals [29:00]
- How you can combine goals and the importance of making sure they are achievable [34:22]
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Opt In on You Pay in Full https://melissa-franks.mykajabi.com/offers/5A4zLr6n
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Work with me: www.melissafranks.com/offers
In today’s conversation, I am going over my year in review! 2022 was such a big year for me, especially when it came to discovering my potential and ability to grow. The thing is, through all the exhaustion, boredom, and stress of 2022, I still had so much hope and belief that I could and would be successful. I really firmly believe that the ups and downs were just a season, and the best was yet to come. During the episode, I share more about my own experience dealing with failures, a new exercise to help you find your purpose for the year, and what I did to help me achieve my goals in 2022.
In this episode, we cover:
- Discovering an alternative way to celebrate and mark your goals [0:50]
- Dealing with the seasons of life [4:54]
- Launching my business in 2021 [10:10]
- A new exercise to help you find purpose [13:21]
- My year in review and how I made it happen [18:21]
- Getting specific about your non-negotiables [21:40]
- An exercise on how to do a year in review [28:48]
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
I have been looking so forward to having this conversation with you today because it’s such an important topic to discuss. Not everything in the workplace is peachy, and there are times when you can have an emotionally traumatic experience in the office, whether it be harassment, bullying, gaslighting, or even microaggressions. While there are laws in place to protect us, the initial feelings of the experience can be really hard to deal with, and sometimes you may not even know where to start. In this episode, I talk about bullying in the workplace, some issues with management training, what proper feedback looks like, the grey lines of authority, and how to deal with gaslighting.
In this episode we cover:
- Workplace harassment, employee training, and onboarding
- What management training overlooks
- The fine line between feedback and bullying
- Power dynamics, authority, and emotions
- Defining the different terms around workplace harassment
- How gaslighting shows up in the workplace
- Dealing with being gaslit
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
Welcome to the Opt In, a podcast designed to help you thrive in the corporate world.I’m your host Melissa Franks, a wife, mom of three boys, and owner of four dogs. I have a very busy household, but I keep grounded with everything through Human Design. As a proud manifesting generator, I have big visions for the future and for my own career. In this first episode, I share more about myself, my experience working in corporate America as a woman and a mother, and the purpose of this podcast.
In this episode we cover:
- Getting to know me and my vision of success
- My experience working in corporate America
- The challenges of being a woman in the corporate world
- The best way to navigate fear and imposter syndrome and the power of mentorship
- Why I started the podcast
- What to expect in this podcast
- The power of saying yes and building relationships
Connect with Melissa:
https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
We’ve all experienced the crushing feeling of imposter syndrome at one point in our lives. That moment where you begin to question whether or not your successes are legitimately achieved and if you have what it takes to be in the position you are in today. It can be really tough to navigate this mindset, and I know from personal experience how restrictive the doubt that plagues you can be. In this episode, I talk about my own experience with imposter syndrome, finding your support network, and where the idea of imposter syndrome originated from.
In this episode we cover:
- What is imposter syndrome?
- My experience with imposter syndrome
- When fear turns into shame
- How I regained my confidence
- Why you deserve the role and finding the support you need
- The role of perfectionism and fear
- How to deal with imposter syndrome
Connect with Melissa: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_franks/
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.