Melissa Franks | The Hidden Growth Killer in 7-Figure Businesses (and How to Fix It)

🎙 Episode Overview:

If your business is scaling fast—but you’re drowning in decisions, chasing priorities, and stuck in the day-to-day—you might be facing the silent ceiling that stops so many entrepreneurs.

In this powerful episode of Women Choosing Growth, Tina sits down with powerhouse fractional COO Melissa Franks to unpack the pivotal moment when founders should bring in a COO—and how the right one can unlock growth, reduce owner dependency, and set your company up for a more profitable future.

Melissa shares how she’s helped founders go from negative growth to record-breaking sales, reclaim their personal time while scaling, and build operational stability that makes their business more valuable—whether they plan to sell or simply run it with more freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it me? Am I the bottleneck?”, this episode is your wake-up call.

🔥 What You'll Learn:

• The three most common signs you’re ready for a COO—and why waiting too long costs you growth.
• Why hiring contractors (not employees) can be your best-kept secret in early scaling.
• The difference between a COO, a business coach, and why it matters for results.
• How a COO helps reduce risk and make your business more valuable to buyers.
• The key questions to ask before you hire—so you find a true match for your vision.
• Why the “shiny object syndrome” derails growth and how to keep decisions aligned.

🧠 Notable Quotes:

"If you’re not growing, you’re dying. Stability without innovation leads to shrinkage." – Melissa Franks

"The best thing you can do for your employees is be clear. Clarity is kindness." – Melissa Franks

"Hire for the things you hate or procrastinate on—because they’ll drain your passion for the business." – Melissa Franks

"A business isn’t sellable if it can’t run without you." – Melissa Franks

🎯 Actionable Takeaways:

• Audit Your Role: List everything you do daily and highlight what only you can do. Delegate or outsource the rest.
• Identify the Bottlenecks: Ask your team where decisions slow down—and see if they point to you.
• Vision First: Before hiring a COO, get crystal clear on your role, company vision, and long-term plans.
• Speed Date Your COO: Interview multiple candidates to find a skillset and personality that complements you.
• Think Like a Buyer: Start building operational stability now—before you need it.

✨ Resources Mentioned:

• Free 30-minute consultation with Melissa: melissafranks.com

📢 Connect with Melissa Franks:

• Website: melissafranks.com
• Instagram: @melissafranks
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissafranks/

🌟 Connect with Tina & Women Choosing Growth:

🌐 Website: Tina-Sue.Com

📖 Strategic Shift Playbook: Learn More

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📲 Instagram: @womenchoosinggrowth

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