“Fractional” Why That Word Might Be the Smartest Move a Founder Can Make

July 23, 2025

By Scott Michajluk | Fractional COO | Founder, GO Consulting

The other week, I was at a networking event and talking with someone I had just met about my work. I told him I was a Fractional COO, and without missing a beat, he raised an eyebrow and said:

“What do you think about the word ‘fractional’?”

It’s an honest question and one that I think is worth unpacking to provide some clarity.

Some may hear the word and immediately think that it is sounds like a lesser version of something. If you are a founder or SMB operator who hears “fractional” and thinks “incomplete,” I’d argue you're looking at it the wrong way.

The truth is: Fractional doesn’t mean less. It means fit. It means right-sized. Stage-appropriate. Senior leadership, scoped to what you actually need and can afford.

Why SMBs Need Fractional Leadership Now More Than Ever

Let’s face it: most growing businesses hit a point where the founder can no longer carry the entire load. The energy is there. The ambition is real. But the systems, the team alignment, the execution? That’s where things start to unravel.

Hiring a full-time COO at $200K+ just to stabilize operations or mentor the team isn’t feasible for most small companies. But ignoring the leadership gap isn’t an option either.

That’s where fractional leadership steps in—not as a compromise, but as a strategic advantage.

What a Fractional COO Actually Brings to the Table

Most people hear “COO” and think process and efficiency. And yes, that’s part of the equation. But the real value of a fractional COO goes far beyond systems.

It’s about leadership. Perspective. And turning growing pains into growth strategy.

Here’s what the right fractional partner provides:

• Executive leadership without the full-time salary You get strategic direction, not just project support without overcommitting your budget.

• Coaching and mentoring I help your existing leaders level up. That means fewer fires, better decisions, and a stronger bench.

• A trusted outside perspective Founders are often too deep in the day-to-day. I bring clarity to complexity without office politics or legacy bias.

• Operational discipline scaled to your business From workflow to reporting to leadership cadence, we build a rhythm your team can run on.

• Experience that actually fits your size and stage I’ve helped $500K businesses double, and $5M teams stabilize chaos. The key is aligning the support to your realities, not someone else’s blueprint.

The Real Problem Isn’t the Word. It’s the Delay.

Too many founders wait until things break before they get help.

They assume leadership comes after scale, when in reality, it’s what makes scale possible in the first place.

“Fractional” may sound like a slice but done right, it gives you the whole of what you need, when you need it.

If you’re running an SMB and juggling everything from cash flow to people problems to growth plans, ask yourself:

• Do I have someone in the room who can challenge my thinking and back it with experience?

• Are my team leads developing or just managing?

• Is my operation supporting growth or holding it back?

If the answers aren’t clear, it might be time to explore fractional leadership.

And if you want to talk through what that actually looks like in practice let’s connect.