Operations and Fractional COO Consulting

I bring Fortune 500 experience to help small and mid-sized companies improve profitability through operations and process improvements.

I recognize that small to mid-market companies possess untapped potential their markets, but often lack the know-how and resources to capitalize on these opportunities. As an interim or fractional COO consultant, I empower these companies to maintain their current trajectory while benefiting from best practices and knowhow from Fortune 500 companies.

My approach accelerates growth and opens new markets without disrupting existing business processes. I focus on creating streamlined solutions that enhance manufacturing, distribution and sales, including D2C, D2B, 3PL and e-commerce platforms. Together, we unlock new avenues for growth and success.

As an interim or fractional COO consultant, I step into companies to unlock clarity, accelerate execution, and drive results—without the overhead of a full-time hire. I provide hands-on support to CEOs and Founders to run and scale their business – from aligning teams and streamlining processes to making smarter decisions, faster and implementing LEAN manufacturing.

These posts offer practical insights and real-world strategies drawn from years of hands-on experience across CPG, food and beverage, and high-growth startups. Think of it as your behind-the-scenes look at how successful businesses actually get built.

Most businesses under $100M don’t need a COO

Most businesses under $100 million don’t need a COO. In fact, in many, if not most, cases a COO would slow down decision-making, add unnecessary cost, confuse reporting lines, and generally be a drag on the business. But a Fractional or Interim COO like me, that’s a different story...

Why $10–100M companies need cross-functional fractional and interim executives

Most founders/CEOs of companies between $10M - $100M think their problems sit in one bucket: Sales, Manufacturing, Operations, People, Finance. But the truth? Those buckets are linked...

Most CPG founders only think they’ve made it when they reach $20M. But the real achievement isn’t $20M it’s $2M.

Most CPG founders only think they’ve made it when they reach $20M. But the real achievement isn’t $20M it’s $2M...

Scaling Without Bloat

Scaling Without Bloat Requires an Owner Mindset A leader’s way of working is shaped by what brought them success in the past. Executives who come from large companies know how to lead managers, navigate complex org charts, and delegate through layers. They know how to manage complexity, policies...

Ops Is How Innovation Thrives

Innovation captures headlines, but it’s business operations that determine whether those ideas scale—or stall. While everyone loves the energy of ideation, few are eager to dive into the mechanics of execution...

Navigating Innovation During Turbulence

To thrive during an economic turbulence, companies must change their innovation strategy. Budgets must be cut while continuing to invest in innovation. The key is having a balance and making strategic shifts. This approach can help companies emerge as leaders...

Money Can Be the Fastest Way to Zero

Cash is king—or so the adage goes. But for many leaders, an influx of capital doesn’t improve their company, rather it accelerates their demise...

Embracing AI in Innovation

There is no doubt that AI will transform how innovators work, collaborate, and innovate. It will shape innovation itself both in terms of what is created and how it is practiced. AI is creating transformative opportunities for innovation leaders who must adapt quickly or risk being left behind...

Why Leaders Hesitate: Overcoming Inaction

Leaders are constantly faced with the need to initiate change from addressing small daily issues to capturing major strategic opportunities. They know the consequences of failing to make changes eventually compound – creating bigger problems down the road. Yet, many leaders will go to great lengths...

Routines Power Business Success

Daily routine meetings are often seen as a time sink with little to no value and can be one of the most disliked aspects of running a business. However, they may also be the most critical system for moving quickly, identifying and solving issues, and improving alignment between the company’s...

Top Tools to Boost Profitability in Your Service Business

Profitability is the purpose of any business, yet many, both successful or struggling, are challenged to achieve the profits they should have. Here are some strategies I use to enhance my clients’ profitability:...

The Need for Speed: The Most Effective Way to Move Quickly is to Make the Right Decisions the First Time

Speed is often touted as a critical factor for success, with businesses of all sizes striving to move swiftly to capitalize on opportunities, stay ahead of the competition and save money. However, there's a crucial nuance to this need for speed: it's not just about moving fast; it's about moving...

Unlocking Profit: The Case for Hiring a Fractional COO in Small Businesses 

In the world of small businesses, sales performance, efficiencies, structure and product/market fit are keys to unlocking profitability and growth. Yet, many business owners and CEOs find themselves struggling to capture the profitability they believe their business should have. This is where the...

Inflection Points: when current strategies no longer work

Inflection points manifest in two primary forms: expansion or contraction. However, both signify the same reality; strategies that worked in the past may no longer suffice in the future. Successfully navigating through either type of inflection point is crucial for a business's survival. While many...

Leaders Should be Micro-Managers but not Micro-Deciders

It is important to distinguish between being a micro-manager and being a micro-decider. One builds engagement and accountability, the other can be highly detrimental...

Innovation and Operations – Where Innovation Really Matters

The real business value of innovation comes from improving processes that lead to systematic efficiency, cost savings, and competitive advantages...

Creating Competitive Advantages Through Reduction; Simplicity as a Strategy

Simplicity can be a competitive advantage. But can established companies leverage simplicity or does it need to be a fundamental principle?...

Why it takes data, design thinking and Agile to innovate

For as long as someone has created a breakthrough innovation there was a process proposed for replicating their success. But three innovation systems stand out to me because I’ve found that they are especially effective when used in combination. Using these tools I recently launched a breakthrough...

Why Adopt Agile over Waterfall for Developing Consumer Products

My company transitioned from a classic waterfall to Agile for a three important reasons. 1) Prioritizaion and focus, 2) Transparency and communications and 3) Team development...

Effective Agile for Hardware Development

I've spent the last three years adopting Agile / Scrum to hardware. Agile's promise of twice the work in half the time can be achieved. But, the version of Agile I evolved to required thinking beyond the limited precepts of the Agile Manifesto...