A fractional COO, so operations stop running through you.
A fractional COO, or fractional chief operating officer, is a part-time COO. They own how the business runs (processes, systems, vendors, fulfillment, reporting) without the cost of a full-time executive. At Lockhold, that means we take over a defined set of operations problems and run them until they're fixed and handed back in working order.
Signs you need a fractional COO
- Every decision still comes back to you.
- You're the bottleneck and you know it, but there's no one to hand it to.
- Fulfillment, inventory, or customer service breaks every time volume rises.
- Tools don't talk to each other, so people re-key data and things get missed.
- Projects start and stall because no one owns them past kickoff.
- You'd hire a COO, but the business isn't ready for that salary yet.
Fractional COO services: what we take on
- Operations and systems: processes documented, SOPs written, the work handed to your team. Systems & SOPs
- Fulfillment and inventory: 3PL setup or switch, shipping rules, stock planning. Ecommerce and Shopify stores especially. Shopify & 3PL operations
- Tools and automation: software set up properly, integrations, AI where it removes real work. AI automation
- Numbers you can trust: KPIs and a monthly dashboard (not tax planning).
- Company-level projects: sale prep, post-acquisition integration, a new location.
Think of it as fractional operations: senior operating help for the part of the week, or the part of the business, that needs it. See the full list of what we take on.
Fractional COO vs. virtual COO, operations consultant, or full-time COO
- Virtual or part-time COO: mostly different names for the same role. What matters is what they own and how “done” is defined, not the label.
- Operations consultant: usually diagnoses and recommends. Lockhold does that and implements. Operations consulting
- Fractional COO: owns operations part-time with real accountability for outcomes.
- Full-time COO: right once the business can carry the salary and needs daily leadership. Often a fractional COO period sets up that hire well. (We don't do the recruiting itself.)
Who it's for, and who it's not for
For
Owner-led businesses, often ecommerce, service, or multi-location, where the owner is carrying operations and wants a capable operator to take a defined chunk of it.
Not for
Businesses looking for a recruiter, a tax strategist, or legal counsel; anyone who wants hours billed without a defined outcome; companies needing a full-time, on-site executive every day.
How engagements work
- Selective. We take a small number of clients at a time. If we can't give it real attention, we'll say so.
- Set scope. Before work starts, you get in writing what we'll own, what “done” looks like, and the timeline.
- Fixed price. Priced per engagement, not by the hour.
- Plain updates. Regular, short updates on what moved and what's blocked.
- No overpromising. We'll tell you what we think is realistic, including when the answer is “not this.”
Who's behind it
Lockhold is owned and run by Joe and Ro. Joe has been through two exits and helped take a company public. Read our story.
The AI & Operations Teardown
A paid, two-week look at how your business actually runs. We find where AI and better systems take work off your plate first. You get a written plan, plus a build scope and a fixed quote. If you go ahead with the build, the Teardown fee is credited toward it.
- About two weeks
- Written plan you keep
- Build scope and fixed quote
- Fee credited toward the build
Questions about a fractional COO
What is a fractional COO?
A fractional COO is a part-time chief operating officer who owns a business's operations on a set schedule or scope, instead of as a full-time employee. It's also called a part-time or virtual COO.
What's the difference between a fractional COO and a virtual or part-time COO?
Mostly the name. All three describe a senior operator who runs a company's operations for part of the week instead of as a full-time employee. “Virtual” usually signals the work is done mostly remotely, and “fractional” usually signals a set share of time or a defined scope.
Fractional COO vs. fractional CFO: which do I need?
A fractional COO runs how the business operates; a fractional CFO runs the money side, such as financial planning, capital, and reporting to owners or investors. If work stalls, breaks, or depends on you, start with operations. Lockhold works on the operations side and doesn't act as a CFO or do tax planning.
When should I hire a fractional COO?
When operations still depend on you and the business can't yet justify a full-time COO salary. Common signs: decisions queue up on your desk, things break when volume rises, and projects stall after kickoff.
Do I need a COO?
Not every business does. You need someone in the COO role when running day-to-day operations is pulling the owner away from the work only they can do, such as selling, product, and strategy. Many smaller businesses start with a fractional COO and move to a full-time hire later.
What should I ask a fractional COO before hiring?
Ask what they'll own, what “done” looks like, and how you'll know it's working. Also ask how they price the work, how often you'll get updates, what they've run themselves, and what happens to the systems when they leave. A good answer to the last one is that everything stays documented, in your accounts.
When should I hire a full-time COO instead?
When the business can carry the salary and needs daily operating leadership on an ongoing basis. A fractional COO period often sets that hire up well, because the processes and reporting are already in place. We don't do the recruiting itself.
How much does a fractional COO cost?
It depends on scope. Lockhold prices each engagement at a fixed cost, agreed in writing before work starts, rather than an open hourly rate.
How long does a fractional COO engagement last?
As long as the scope needs. Each engagement has a defined finish line; some clients start a new scope after.
Is a fractional COO good for a small business?
Often, yes. It gives a small business senior operating help before it can justify a full-time COO salary.
Does Lockhold work with ecommerce brands?
Yes. Fulfillment, 3PL, inventory, Shopify setup, and retention operations are common scopes.
What won't a Lockhold fractional COO do?
Recruiting, high-level tax planning, or legal advice.
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