This week, Melissa brings you behind the scenes of one of the hardest (and most unexpectedly pivotal) weeks she’s faced — a raw, unfiltered look at what it really means to juggle personal loss, business growth, client demands, and once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunities all at the same time.

She opens up about:

✅ Navigating a devastating personal loss while running a growing business

✅ How she set ultra-clear daily and monthly priorities to stay afloat

✅ The real mindset tactics she used to push through exhaustion and overwhelm

✅ Why resilience isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a muscle you build and a playbook you return to

✅ A powerful “pivot” analogy (yes, from basketball!) that can help you break through feeling stuck

Plus, Melissa shares the behind-the-scenes story of landing her biggest media opportunity ever — and how she was forced to practice the exact resiliency strategies she teaches.

As we kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, Melissa reminds us all: your mind and body are your most important assets. If you’re struggling, ask for help.

To learn more about working with Melissa: https://www.melissafranks.com

To Connect with Melissa on Instagram: @melissa_franks or @on_call_coo

Have you ever opened your inbox to find a customer complaint that instantly spiked your blood pressure? If you're in business, it's not a matter of if but when it will happen. In this episode of the Opt-In Podcast, Melissa walks you through how to reframe customer complaints as valuable feedback, the biggest mistakes businesses make when responding, and a proven strategy for handling criticism with professionalism and empathy. You'll learn why your response matters more than the complaint itself — and how managing complaints well can actually grow your brand loyalty.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why you should view customer complaints as a gift

✅ The common mistakes to avoid when responding to negative feedback

✅ How to acknowledge complaints without being defensive or over-apologizing

✅ Why consistency is critical to protecting your brand

✅ The exact steps to gather facts and create a timely, professional response

✅ How to train your team to handle complaints the right way

✅ When it’s time to fire a toxic client (and how to spot the red flags)

✅ How to turn criticism into a growth opportunity and stronger customer loyalty

Key Takeaway:

How you handle a complaint is more memorable than the complaint itself. Developing a clear, consistent process for addressing negative feedback can strengthen your brand, increase customer trust, and even unlock new stages of business growth.

Connect with Melissa:

🌐 Website: https://melissafranks.com

📸 Instagram: @melissa_franks and @on_call_coo

Is your inbox overflowing? Are you losing track of tasks, deadlines, or team updates? Whether you're solo or managing a growing team, this episode is your go-to guide for choosing the right project management tool to reduce chaos and reclaim control.

Join host Melissa Franks as she walks through the most common project and task management tools used by small businesses, startups, and creative teams—including Trello, Asana, ClickUp, Monday.com, Notion, and Airtable. She breaks down the pros, cons, ideal use cases, and the one question you must ask before choosing a platform.

You'll also learn:

The surprising origin stories behind your favorite tools (and why that matters)

How to avoid overbuying software you don’t need

What kind of business each tool works best for

Common setup pitfalls and how to assign ownership

Melissa’s favorite tools for ease, cost, and team clarity

Whether you're task-based, creative, or managing high-growth operations, this episode will help you simplify your workflow and set your team up for success. It’s time to stop relying on email chaos and move into structured, streamlined execution.

🔧 Tools Mentioned:

ClickUp – Best for highly task-driven, detail-heavy teams

Asana – Ideal for routine projects and teams with varying PM experience

Notion – Great for document storage and SOP libraries, but not for true project management

Monday.com – A hybrid option with powerful integrations for larger teams

Airtable – Essentially a spreadsheet; limited true PM functionality

Trello – Visual, easy to use, perfect for creatives or monthly task cycles

📌 Connect with Melissa:

DM questions or tool suggestions:

📱 Instagram: @_melissafranks or @on_call_coo

Want help picking the right tool & implementing complementary strategies? Schedule a free consultation call. Visit https://www.melissafranks.com/fractionalcooservices