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What Is a Fractional COO — And Do You Need One?

You’re juggling launches, onboarding clients, managing your team (or trying to build one), keeping up with all the tech, and oh yeah — actually doing the work that brings in the money.

At some point, you look up and think:
“Wait… why does it feel like I’m doing everything except being the CEO?”

If that sounds familiar, it might be time to bring in a Fractional COO — someone who can help you run the business while you focus on growing it.

But what is a fractional COO, and how do you know if you really need one? Let’s break it down.

First things first: What is a Fractional COO?

A Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) is exactly what it sounds like — a high-level operations partner who works with your business part-time or on a project/retainer basis instead of full-time.

They’re responsible for helping you manage and grow your business — not by doing more, but by doing what matters most. A fractional COO focuses on structure, systems, strategy, and support.We’re not here to just check off tasks.

We’re here to make sure the tasks being done are the right ones — and that they actually move the needle.

A fractional COO is your second brain, your strategic partner, and the one making sure your business isn’t running on vibes and last-minute panic anymore.

What Does a Fractional COO Actually Do?

Here’s what it looks like in action:

  • Build and manage systems so your backend actually supports your business goals (not slows you down)
  • Create operational strategies that align with your offers, revenue goals, and team capacity
  • Oversee project timelines and deliverables so you’re not the one chasing folks down
  • Turn ideas into plans — whether it’s a launch, a team restructure, or a full-on business pivot
  • Track progress, optimize performance, and measure results (yes, we care about those KPIs!)
  • Support team communication and delegation so nothing falls through the cracks

Think of it like this:

CEO

CXO

Big-picture visionary

Day-to-day execution

Comes up with the idea

Turns it into a plan

Wants to grow

Knows how to scale

How Do You Know If You’re Ready for One?

If you’re nodding your head to any of these, it might be time:

  • You’ve got offers but no real systems to support them
  • You’re constantly stuck in the business instead of leading it
  • You have a VA or small team, but you’re still the bottleneck
  • You’re launching… and relaunching… and everything still feels chaotic
  • You’re growing (yay!) but your backend is a mess (oof)

Let’s make it real for a sec:

You’ve outgrown duct-tape systems and 2am problem solving. Whether you’re running solo or managing a small-but-mighty team, things are moving fast — and the backend of your business is begging for structure.

You don’t need more hustle — you need high-level support that meets you where you are and helps you grow smarter.

How to Choose the Right Fractional COO for You

Spoiler alert: it’s not just about who’s “organized.”

You want someone who:

  • Understands your vision and values
  • Has experience with project management and systems
  • Can translate big ideas into bite-sized plans
  • Knows how to work with small teams, solopreneurs, and service-based businesses
  • Feels like a real partner, not just a task manager

At EBS, we do more than manage your business. We get in it with you — helping you build, restructure, and scale in a way that reflects you.

You didn’t build your business just to stay stuck in the backend forever.

A Fractional COO helps you step fully into your role as CEO — with a clear plan, consistent systems, and someone you can trust to keep things moving behind the scenes.

If you’re starting to think “Okay… maybe I really do need this,” that’s your sign.

Let’s talk about what this could look like for you.

👉🏽 Learn more about our fractional support services  📅 Book a strategy session to map out your next move

Not sure where to start? That’s okay — you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Let’s chat about what’s working, what’s not, and what kind of support will actually give you your time (and sanity) back.

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