from Founder-Led to Leader-Led

Fractional COO support for growing companies ready to replace chaos with clarity, aligned leadership, and scalable operations.

Call 602.757.4589

As companies grow, complexity grows with them.
Founders end up wearing too many hats. Leaders feel stretched thin.
The business keeps moving but it feels harder every year.

I help founder-led companies transition into leader-led organizations by creating clear structure, strengthening leadership alignment, and installing operational systems that scale.

About

I bring more than 30 years of operational leadership experience across hospitality, manufacturing, construction, and technology-enabled services, including 10 years as a COO and several years as a Fractional COO.

I’ve sat in the seat you’re in now.

I’ve built teams, untangled messy structures, navigated hard conversations, and helped leaders grow into roles they were capable of but overwhelmed by.

My style is organized, reassuring, and strategic.
I’m calm under pressure and direct when clarity is needed.

Founders work with me because I don’t add noise. I reduce it.

What Our Clients Have to Say...

Fractional COO Support

NightRider Jewelry, - Nick Ballantyne, CEO

“Bret is exceptional at his job. We needed top-notch talent for our leadership team, and Bret delivered multiple rock-solid candidates. He is a phenomenal listener and communicator who truly understands our business needs and knows how to find individuals with the right skills and cultural fit for our company. Go with Bret and you won’t regret it.”

THE PROBLEM I SOLVE

Your Business Isn’t Broken. It’s Outgrowing Its Structure.

Most founders I work with tell me some version of this:

“Too many decisions still come through me.”
“My leaders are capable, but they’re wearing too many hats.”
“We’ve outgrown our org chart, but I don’t know what ‘right’ looks like.”
“We’re busy all the time, but progress feels inconsistent.”
“I don’t have the bandwidth to fix the structure while keeping the business running.”

If this sounds familiar, you’re not failing.
You’re experiencing the natural tension of a company ready for its next stage.

HOW I HELP

I work as a Fractional COO for founder-led companies typically with:

50–100 employees
$10–20M in annual revenue
Growth that has outpaced internal structure
Leaders who need clarity, alignment, and confidence

My role is to bring calm, clarity, and structure so the business no longer depends on heroic effort from the founder.

THREE PILLARS

The Founder-Led → Leader-Led Shift Happens Through Three Things

Pillar 1 - Organizational Clarity

Clear roles, decision rights, and accountability.

Fewer hats. Less confusion. Better execution.

Pillar 2 - Leadership Alignment

Leaders who understand their lane, communicate clearly, and own outcomes — without constant intervention from the founder.

Pillar 3 - Scalable Operating Rhythm

Meetings that matter.
Processes that repeat.
Scorecards that drive focus instead of noise.

Together, these create a business that feels manageable again.

Let’s turn your vision into action, one step at a time.

TRANSFORMATION

What Changes When We Work Together

Founders tell me they feel:

Relieved that someone finally understands the complexity they’re carrying
Confident that there’s a clear path forward
Supported instead of isolated
Hopeful because the chaos finally makes sense
The goal isn’t just better operations.
It’s a company that runs through leadership — not exhaustion.

HOW ENGAGEMENTS WORK

Fractional COO Engagement

Typically 2 days per week on-site

Ongoing strategic and operational leadership

Leadership coaching and alignment

Organizational structure and process development

Designed for companies not ready — or not needing — a full-time COO

This model provides senior-level leadership without long-term overhead.

Schedule An Appointment

To put my experience to work for you, reach out to schedule a discovery meeting.