Unlock Your Business Growth: Why Informed Entrepreneurs are Turning to Fractional Leaders

Authored by: Dirk Vander Noot

Building a small business can be a lonely journey. With an abundance of experts such as coaches, consultants, and specialists, why do so many solopreneurs still choose to go it alone?

Let me share the story of two entrepreneurs. The first, was an immigrant who built a successful roofing business through sheer hard work, but without any help he never created a succession plan, so the business retired with him. The second, was an American who ran a promising plastics molding business, but the burden of doing everything himself became too much. After multiple missteps that could have been avoided by seeking assistance, the business was closed and the owner had to seek employment elsewhere. These entrepreneurs were my grandfather and my father. Their stories are a reminder that no matter how successful a business is, no one can do it alone.

If these stories resonate with you, then you are familiar with running a small business and know that it is just as invigorating as it is challenging. We simply can not be everything that our small business requires. As our business grows, if we do not find experts to assist us, eventually we feel busier than ever before, but our revenue is no longer increasing. If you are here, you are not alone. All businesses go through this transition, but like my father’s plastics molding business, not all make it out. As the old adage goes, a business that is not growing is failing. Our business is trying to tell us something, we can no longer continue to run it on our own. 

The Fractional Option

When we as small business owners find ourselves needing expert support to scale operations or navigate complex challenges, there are several options. We can hire full-time leaders, engage consultants or coaches, or seek advisory services. So why do we not choose these options? Well most of our businesses can not support the costs associated with hiring leadership, and consultants, coaches, and advisors typically can not offer the on-the-ground support our business needs.

There is now another option however that neither my grandfather or my father had. One that has been around for over a decade, but only recently has entered the spotlight. Fractional Leadership. Larger businesses have been using this model for years to bring in seasoned leaders on a part-time basis, providing high-level expertise without the full-time commitment or cost. Fractional Leaders offer the strategic insight and hands-on aptitude that businesses need to thrive at an affordable part-time cost. Now we can even find fractional leaders who specialize in small businesses like ours. Finally, someone who we can work side by side with to scale our previous barriers and reach our goals. 

Finding your Fractional Leader

Finding the right Fractional Leader requires a structured approach to ensure they meet your business's specific needs. Begin by clearly identifying the challenges you are facing and your business goals. Once you've pinpointed the gaps, tap into your professional network, industry associations, or a specialized platform that connects businesses with fractional leaders. Treat the selection process as you would when hiring a full-time employee: interview multiple candidates and prioritize those who have successfully addressed the challenges you're facing in a small business environment. Lastly, remember that alignment on company culture and mutual trust are essential. Even the most qualified leader won’t be effective if you do not align.

Conclusion

You do not have to keep building your business alone like my father or grandfather. Having access to fractional leadership is a game-changer for us as small business owners. It’s a strategic, cost-effective solution that brings the expertise needed to break through barriers without the long-term commitment and cost of full-time leaders. By recognizing the signs that your business needs specialized leadership, and knowing where to find the right fractional talent, you can find a true partner that you and your business needs.