Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast! In this solo episode, host Derek Fredrickson dives deep into one of the most common challenges business owners face: micromanagement. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin, chances are you’re still holding on to too much, and it’s keeping your business stuck.

Derek shares how learning the art of effective delegation unlocks freedom, builds trust, and creates the space you need to focus on what only you can do. From systems and SOPs to team trust and role clarity, this episode delivers a practical roadmap to help you stop micromanaging and start scaling.

In This Episode:

[00:45] Why You’re Still the Bottleneck – The emotional and operational cost of doing it all yourself.

[02:49] The Hidden Damage of Micromanagement – How it stalls growth, drains your energy, and disempowers your team.

[03:46] Delegation = Freedom – Why letting go doesn’t mean losing control (and what it actually gives you back).

[04:43] Common Delegation Mistakes – Vague expectations, hovering, and assigning tasks to the wrong people.

[07:19] Systems That Support Delegation – Why you can’t scale without documented processes and tools that keep everyone aligned.

[08:19] SOPs and Structure – How to ensure your team operates effectively without you.

[09:17] Delegation and Trust – The difference between micromanaging and being informed.

[11:03] Action Step – Delegate one task this week with clear expectations and outcomes.

Why This Matters

Scaling your business requires a shift in both mindset and systems. If you’re still stuck in every detail, you’ll never reach your next level. Delegation isn’t optional—it’s the foundation for growth, freedom, and a truly self-managing team.

Action Steps for Listeners:

• Identify one task to delegate this week and outline success criteria.
• Match it to the right team member and give them ownership.
• Consider where systems, documentation, or a fractional COO could help you let go with confidence.

• Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for Fractional COO support: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

New episodes drop soon—subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Let’s connect:

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/

➡️ https://www.instagram.com/thecoosolution/

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/thecoosolution

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The COO Solution Podcast, host Derek Fredrickson sits down with Melissa Ortiz, founder of Activate Human Capital Group, to explore the often-overlooked root cause of team frustration, burnout, and misalignment: unclear roles.

If your team is working hard but not necessarily on the right things, this episode is for you.

Melissa breaks down what role clarity really means—and why it matters more than ever for growing companies. From using the Predictive Index to hiring smarter, to transforming underperforming teams into aligned, high-performing units, this episode is packed with practical advice for founders, integrators, and team leaders.

In This Episode:

[00:56] The Power of Alignment – Why engagement and clarity go hand in hand.

[02:33] Why Role Clarity Is the Missing Link – And what “right seat” really looks like.

[05:04] Job Description ≠ Clarity – What founders often get wrong when hiring.

[08:17] Getting Practical – How to create a one-pager that defines success for each role.

[12:44] From Chaos to Confidence – How teams transform when responsibilities are defined.

[14:40] Living Documents – How to revisit and update role clarity as your business evolves.

[18:32] All About Predictive Index – Why this five-minute assessment is game-changing.

[21:12] Think-to-Talk vs. Talk-to-Think – How this distinction improves communication.

[27:00] Hiring Smarter – How to define your ideal candidate profile using PI.

[31:07] Sifting Through the Noise – Using assessments to save time (and bad hires).

[34:39] The Waste Factor – How role clarity and alignment eliminate wasted time, energy, and talent.

Why This Matters

Confused roles create confusion everywhere else—in decision-making, accountability, and even culture. This episode will help you step back, audit your team, and reset the foundation for scale. Whether you’re hiring or optimizing an existing team, clarity is your first and most powerful move.

Action Steps for Listeners:

• Identify one role on your team that needs a clarity reset. Ask: “What exactly do I expect from this person?”
• Create or update a one-pager that outlines time allocation, core responsibilities, and success metrics.
• Consider using the Predictive Index to improve your hiring and communication strategy.

Resources & Links:

• Activate HCG Website: https://activateHCG.com
• Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-ortiz-employee-retention-expert/
• Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for Fractional COO support: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

Let’s connect:

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/

➡️ https://www.instagram.com/thecoosolution/

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/thecoosolution

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast! In this solo episode, host Derek Fredrickson tackles one of the biggest (and often most ignored) reasons businesses plateau: team misalignment.

Whether you’re leading a small but mighty team or managing a fast-growing company, your next level of growth depends on more than just sales and systems—it hinges on your people. In this episode, Derek shares how to utilize the “Right People, Right Seats” framework to audit your team, identify misalignment, and make informed leadership decisions that propel the business forward. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to assess your team’s current structure, clarify expectations, and realign your team to support your future growth.

• [00:54] The Hard Truth – Why your team, not just your offers, determines your growth capacity.
• [01:54] Right People, Right Seats Framework – How to assess values, energy, and performance alignment.
• [02:46] When Good Isn’t Good Enough – A client story about letting go of loyal but misaligned team members.
• [04:22] The Right Seats – Understanding skill sets, responsibilities, and clarity of roles.
• [06:16] Role Clarity in Action – A client example of redefining team structure to eliminate confusion and chaos.
• [08:07] Signs of Team Misalignment – From stepping back into tasks to gut instincts you’re ignoring.
• [10:21] The Team Audit – Two critical questions to ask about every team member.
• [12:44] Leadership, Not Emotion – Why keeping misaligned team members helps no one.
• [13:37] The Ruthless Commitment – How scaling businesses apply this framework consistently.
• [15:10] Your Takeaway Challenge – Reassess one team member’s alignment for where you’re going, not just where you are.

📌 Why This Matters

Your systems and offers won’t scale unless your people can support them. By aligning your team to your vision, values, and future goals, you remove the friction that slows growth and reclaim the energy to lead with clarity and confidence.

✅ Action Steps for Listeners:

• Do a team audit: List every team member and ask, “Would I enthusiastically rehire them today?”
• Evaluate whether each person has the necessary skills, energy, and alignment to support your goals.
• Choose one person you’re unsure about and assess: are they set up for success long-term?
• Have the tough conversations now—it only gets harder later.

• Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for Fractional COO support: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

Subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Let’s connect:

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/

➡️ https://www.instagram.com/thecoosolution/

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/thecoosolution

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast! In this episode, host Derek Fredrickson is joined by serial entrepreneur and Cashflowy AI founder, Heidi DeCoux, for a refreshingly honest conversation about the financial mistakes that hold entrepreneurs back—and how to finally fix them.

If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or simply out of touch with your numbers, this episode is for you. Heidi shares why most solopreneurs unknowingly set themselves up for burnout and struggle by avoiding their financials—and how a few simple shifts in structure, mindset, and systems can change everything.

Whether you’re mixing personal and business finances, skipping your “money dates,” or overpaying for clunky bookkeeping tools that don’t give you answers, this episode offers clear guidance to help you take back control.

In This Episode:

[01:15] Why Solopreneurs Stay Broke: The surprising reason even smart founders ignore their numbers.

[03:18] Outdated Tools, Overpriced Support: Why QuickBooks and human bookkeepers aren’t built for small businesses—and what to use instead.

[09:21] The Weekly (or Monthly) Money Date: How 15 minutes of financial clarity can shift your entire business trajectory.

[15:35] Mixing Business and Personal Finances: The hidden cost of blurring lines—and how to clean it up fast.

[22:30] Financial Agreements in Partnerships: How a simple Google Doc can protect your relationships and your revenue.

[34:46] Final Advice: Money clarity is your superpower—shine a light on your numbers and watch your business grow.

📌 Why This Matters

Most business owners don’t fail because of a lack of hustle or great ideas; they fail because they lack visibility into the numbers that drive their decisions. Heidi’s approach to financial empowerment is practical, human, and doable even if you’re allergic to spreadsheets. This conversation is your permission slip to stop winging it with your money and start leading like a CEO.

✅ Action Steps for Listeners:

• Start a weekly or monthly money date, even if it’s just 15 minutes.
• Separate your business and personal finances this week.
• Track your 4 key KPIs (get the free Profit Clarity Playbook below).
• Explore how AI-backed tools like Cashflowy can help you reclaim time, energy, and profit.

• Check Out Cashflowy: cashflowy.ai – AI-powered bookkeeping and clarity for solopreneurs.
• Free Quiz – Take our free quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

New episodes drop soon—subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Let’s connect:

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/

➡️ https://www.instagram.com/thecoosolution/

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/thecoosolution

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another episode of The COO Solution Podcast! In this solo episode, host Derek Fredrickson dives into the four critical areas that separate stagnant businesses from scalable ones. If you’re a founder or CEO feeling stuck at the seven-figure mark—or you’re simply exhausted by the day-to-day—this is the clarity you’ve been waiting for.

Derek breaks down the leadership mindset, systems strategy, and operational frameworks that must evolve if your business is going to hit its next level of growth. You’ll also hear actionable advice on transitioning from operator to visionary, why micromanaging is the enemy of scale, and how building a culture of accountability unlocks freedom and results.

[01:05] Why Businesses Plateau: The hidden growth roadblocks that stall companies at six and seven figures.

[03:22] Systems Built for Scale: Why outdated processes break and how to upgrade them.

[04:49] The Delegation Dilemma: Why founders must stop doing it all and start building a second-in-command.

[05:34] Visionary + COO = Alignment: The strategic power of leadership partnerships.

[07:58] Simplicity Scales: You can’t scale complexity—learn what operational simplicity really looks like.

[08:49] Accountability That Moves the Needle: KPIs, dashboards, and the culture shift that drives results.

[10:27] Creating Self-Managing Teams: Why micromanaging kills growth—and how to stop doing it.

[11:12] From Operator to Visionary: What this transition really takes and how a fractional COO makes it easier.

[15:16] Your Action Step: Identify one outdated process and delegate one energy-draining task this week.

📌 Why This Matters

Hustle and effort will only take you so far. To scale beyond your current ceiling, you need a structured approach, effective delegation, and efficient systems that operate smoothly without your direct involvement. This episode lays out the blueprint for growing your business without increasing your overwhelm.

✅ Action Steps for Listeners:

• Identify one inefficient process and upgrade it for scale.
• Delegate a low-energy task to free up your time and focus.
• Consider the role of a fractional COO or OBM in your next phase of growth.

• Free Quiz – Take our free quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

New episodes drop soon—subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Let’s connect:

➡️ LinkedIn

➡️ Instagram

➡️ Facebook

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to The COO Solution Podcast! In this episode, Derek Fredrickson sits down with Rocky Anderson, Founder of ADC Water, to share a candid behind-the-scenes look at how bringing on a fractional COO from The COO Solution transformed his engineering firm from a cash-burning, chaotic operation into a scalable, purpose-driven business.

Rocky opens up about the emotional toll of trying to scale alone, how he discovered the concept of a fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO)as his trusted second-in-command, and the massive operational and financial shifts that have occurred in just a few short months. From tripling revenue to reclaiming time with family, this conversation is a powerful case study on what’s possible when visionary CEOs get the right support.

In This Episode:

[01:25] From Lifestyle to Legacy: Why Rocky decided to scale—and how that decision almost broke the business.

[04:20] Discovering The COO Solution: How a conversation changed everything and led to a “no-brainer” decision.

[08:15] Visionary vs. Operator: The assessments that revealed Rocky’s true genius—and why stepping back was the key to moving forward.

[11:33] Systems, Structure, and Scaling: How Rocky’s team began hitting every project milestone with less of his involvement.

[13:22] The Financial Turnaround: From $65K to $350K/month and a projected 50% net profit—what changed?

[15:54] Scaling with Heart: Why this growth journey is more than numbers—it’s about serving more people and building deep relationships.

[20:43] Hiring & Team Clarity: The operational map that’s helping Rocky onboard the right people at the right time.

[24:17] Personal Wins: More peace, more presence, and a renewed sense of purpose as a leader and father.

[31:06] Advice to Entrepreneurs: Why every growth-minded business owner should consider fractional COO support—sooner rather than later.

📌 Why This Matters

This episode shows what happens when visionary entrepreneurs stop trying to do it all and start building the support structure their business needs to thrive. Rocky’s story is a blueprint for scaling smarter, not harder, while preserving the heart and mission behind the work.

✅ Action Steps for Listeners:

• What part of your business can’t run without you—and why??
• Explore the difference a fractional COO could make for your growth.
• Map out your visionary role—and start pulling back from the rest.

• Rocky Anderson’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wastewatermanagement/
• ADC Water website - https://www.adcwater.com/
• Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

Let’s connect:

➡️ LinkedIn

➡️ Instagram

➡️ Facebook

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The COO Solution Podcast, the go-to resource for business owners, CEOs, and visionary entrepreneurs looking to scale smarter, lead better, and build businesses that run without bottlenecks. I’m your host, Derek Fredrickson, and today’s episode addresses one of the most critical mindset and strategy shifts in entrepreneurship—how to stop being the bottleneck and start building a self-managing business that can run (and grow) without you.

In This Episode:

• [01:05] Why Businesses Stall – How businesses outgrow their systems, leadership styles, and operations.
• [03:20] The Bottleneck Truth – Why the same strategies and systems stop working at scale.
• [04:43] Scaling with Leadership – The need to shift from doing it all to leading strategically.
• [06:08] Operator to Visionary – Why founders must become CEOs, not Chief Everything Officers.
• [07:28] Hiring a Second-in-Command – How a fractional COO or senior OBM can take the reins.
• [08:13] Leadership Culture – Empowering leaders to manage teams and drive accountability.
• [08:57] Operational Systems – SOPs, project management tools, and CRMs to streamline growth.
• [11:54] Living Systems – Why adoption and usage matter more than tools.
• [12:45] Accountability Culture – Establishing clear roles, KPIs, and performance reviews.
• [16:00] Bottlenecks to Break – Identifying operational, leadership, and system bottlenecks.
• [20:14] Evolving Business Models – Shifting models, pricing, and processes to scale smarter.
• [23:22] Summary of Growth Essentials – Six core areas to structure your business for the next level.
• [23:57] Action Assignment – Audit your time, identify bottlenecks, and revise your model for scale.

📌 Why This Matters

If your business can’t grow without you, you’re not scaling—you’re surviving. This episode guides you through the mindset shifts, structural changes, and leadership strategies needed to grow your business beyond your current ceiling truly.

✅ Action Steps for Listeners:

• Audit your calendar, emails, and tasks: What can be delegated?
• Identify where your business model feels stuck and why.
• Explore what systems and support (like a COO) you need for the next level.
• Reflect: “Where am I the bottleneck—and how can I systematize or delegate it?”

Resources & Links:

• Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

Subscribe & Stay Connected

New episodes drop soon—subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Let’s connect:

➡️ LinkedIn

➡️ Instagram

➡️ Facebook

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another episode of The COO Solution Podcast! This week, Derek Fredrickson is joined by marketing strategist and CEO of Duct Tape Marketing, Sara Nay. With over 15 years of experience helping small businesses simplify and succeed with smarter marketing strategies, Sara offers a candid look at how business owners can navigate today’s noisy marketing world with clarity, purpose, and efficiency.

In this episode, Sara breaks down why “less is more” is the new marketing mantra, how AI is reshaping execution and creativity, and why the most effective marketing teams are structured around clarity, not chaos.

In This Episode:

• [00:44] The Marketing Strategy Pyramid: How to align business strategy, marketing execution, and team roles for seamless growth.
• [03:24] AI’s Role in Elevating Team Capacity: Why AI isn’t replacing humans—it’s empowering them to lead and think more strategically.
• [12:09] Strategy First, Tactics Second: Why jumping to funnels, ads, or content before mapping a strategy is a costly mistake.
• [15:01] The Entrepreneur’s Role in Marketing: Sara shares how founders can stay involved without micromanaging every campaign.
• [20:50] From Intern to CEO: Sara’s journey through Duct Tape Marketing and how her all-hands experience makes her a better leader.
• [25:53] Marketing Horror Stories & Ownership: Why so many small businesses get burned—and how to protect yourself by owning your strategy.
• [28:57] Building Internal Marketing Assets: How to stop outsourcing everything and start taking control with the right guidance.
• [33:05] Sara’s Final Insight: “Do less, but do it better”—why human connection is the competitive edge that still matters most.

✅ Action Steps for Listeners:

• Audit your current marketing efforts—are they aligned with your business strategy?
• Involve your leadership team in building a customer journey map.
• Consider where AI can enhance—not replace—your team’s productivity.
• Focus on marketing activities that actually build relationships.

Resources & Links:

• Sara Nay LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/saranay
• Duct Tape Marketing Free Resources: DTM World Growth
• Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

Subscribe & Stay Connected

New episodes drop soon—subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Let’s connect:

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/

➡️ https://www.instagram.com/thecoosolution/

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/thecoosolution

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The COO Solution Podcast, the go-to resource for business owners, CEOs, and visionary entrepreneurs looking to scale smarter, lead better, and build businesses that run without bottlenecks. I’m your host, Derek Fredrickson, and today’s episode addresses one of the most critical mindset and strategy shifts in entrepreneurship—how to stop being the bottleneck and start building a self-managing business that can run (and grow) without you.

In This Episode:

[00:58] Why Being in Control Is Slowing You Down – The trap of being the go-to for everything and how it holds your team (and business) back.

[03:04] Why Most Founders Become Bottlenecks – The early hustle habits that hurt you at scale.

[05:20] What It Takes to Build a Business That Runs Without You – The three pillars: ownership culture, systems thinking, and trust over control.

[06:35] A Real Client Example – How handing over operations empowered one founder to scale without burnout.

[07:57] The Role of a Fractional COO – Why you need someone to operationalize your vision and create repeatable results.

[09:00] The Host’s Own Experience – How Derek’s business transformed with his COO's help.

[11:26] Real Outcomes of Letting Go – Strategic thinking, empowered teams, faster execution, and increased innovation.

[12:45] Action Challenge – The Calendar Audit: Find hidden hours in your week and reclaim your time.

📌 Why This Matters

You didn’t start your business to be stuck in every meeting, decision, and task. If your business can’t run without you, you’re not scaling—you’re surviving. This episode gives you the clarity and tools to build an actual business, not just a high-stress job.

✅ Action Steps for Listeners:

• Do a calendar audit for the past or next 2–3 weeks.
• Highlight meetings someone else could do if systems or people were in place.
• Circle 3 energy-draining tasks and have a delegation conversation with your COO, OBM, or trusted team member.
• Ask yourself: “If I disappeared for a week, what would break?” The answer reveals your true bottlenecks—and your opportunity to grow.

Resources & Links:

• Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

Subscribe & Stay Connected

New episodes drop soon—subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Let’s connect:

➡️ LinkedIn

➡️ Instagram

➡️ Facebook

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The COO Solution Podcast, the go-to resource for business owners, CEOs, and visionary entrepreneurs looking to scale smarter, lead better, and build businesses that run without bottlenecks. I’m your host, Derek Fredrickson, and today’s episode tackles one of the biggest game-changers in business leadership: knowing the difference between the visionary and the operator—and owning your zone of genius.

In This Episode:

[00:58] Why You Can’t Be Both – The common mistake visionary entrepreneurs make when they try to manage everything themselves.

[01:47] Visionary vs. Operator, Defined – A breakdown of the strengths, roles, and responsibilities of each—and why trying to be both stalls your growth.

[04:37] Why Most Visionaries Struggle Without an Operator – From bottlenecks to burnout, staying in the weeds drains your energy and slows your scale.

[07:57] What Changes When You Fully Embrace Your Role – How stepping into your visionary power unlocks freedom, revenue, momentum, and team alignment.

[10:36] Action Challenge – A step-by-step exercise to help you clarify your role and delegate like a pro.

Why This Matters

If your business still depends on you to function, it’s not a business; it’s a job. And the longer you play visionary and operator, the more you stay stuck in survival mode. This episode clarifies your role as a leader and gives you the permission and framework to focus on what you do best.

Action Steps for Listeners:

✅ List 10–15 tasks you’ve done in the last 3 days.

✅ Circle what only you, the visionary, can do.

✅ Underline what an operator (or team member) could take over.

✅ Stay focused on what’s in the circle. That’s your lane. That’s your edge.

Resources & Links:

• Free Quiz – Take the free 25-question quiz to see if your business is ready for the support of a Fractional COO: https://thecoosolution.com
• Podcast Page – https://thecoosolution.com/podcast

Subscribe & Stay Connected

New episodes drop soon—subscribe to The COO Solution Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Let’s connect:

➡️ LinkedIn: https:/linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson

➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoosolution/

➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecoosolution/

👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a fellow business owner who’s ready to scale smarter!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.