Are you dreaming of a real vacation—but worried your business will fall apart without you? In this episode, Melissa shares her tried-and-true method for actually stepping away from your business without stress, guilt, or chaos. As a single mom of three and a small business owner who used to skip vacations out of fear, Melissa now takes multiple breaks a year—and the business keeps thriving. Tune in to hear the exact framework she’s using right now to unplug confidently. You’ll learn: ✅ How to de...
Jul 09, 2025•24 min
Have you ever taken on a project just because the money was good—even though your gut said "no"? You're not alone. In this episode, Melissa breaks down the high price of bad revenue and why saying “yes” to misaligned opportunities can quietly erode your business from the inside out. Melissa shares a candid story from her own early consulting days and outlines: What bad revenue really means—and how to recognize it The emotional and financial toll it takes on your business The mindset traps that k...
Jul 02, 2025•37 min
In today’s episode, Melissa breaks down one of the most misunderstood pieces of business advice: “Wealth loves speed.” But what does that really mean for CEOs and business owners making decisions in real time? Spoiler: it’s not about rushing recklessly—it's about moving with clarity and confidence. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why “speed” in business is not the same as “rushed” ✅ The 3 essential filters every CEO must run decisions through ✅ How clarity—not certainty—is the true driver of mo...
Jun 25, 2025•30 min
In this episode, Melissa dives deep into one of the most common (and crucial) questions she gets asked: How do I know when it's time to hire a fractional COO? From being the bottleneck in your business to feeling scared to scale, Melissa shares the top 8 signs that signal it's time to bring in experienced operational leadership — and what to look for when vetting a fractional executive. You’ll learn: What a fractional COO actually does (and doesn’t do) Why seasoned operations support is differen...
Jun 18, 2025•33 min
In this episode, Melissa gets real about the power—and necessity—of building a personal brand, whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or scaling your own business. Sharing personal stories from her first corporate training at 22 to landing billboards in Times Square, Melissa breaks down why your personal brand isn’t just a marketing tactic—it’s your reputation, your legacy, and your secret weapon for future-proofing your career. You’ll walk away knowing: Why a personal brand is about perce...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min
In this episode, Melissa shares seven actionable ways to get your business—and your team—ready for the summer months. Whether summer is a busy season or a slow one for your business, the way you prepare can make all the difference in performance, morale, and momentum going into fall. Melissa walks you through how to anticipate seasonal shifts, implement flexible schedules without sacrificing accountability, and set your team up for both rest and results. You'll learn how to lead by example, set ...
Jun 04, 2025•29 min
In the final episode of our Mental Health Awareness Month series, Melissa gets real about a topic that too often goes unspoken: the loneliness of leadership. Whether you're a CEO, business owner, or leader navigating your way through the pressures of success, Melissa unpacks the emotional toll that comes with the territory—and why it’s crucial to prioritize your mental well-being. She shares her personal journey of rising through the corporate ranks, the surprising isolation that came with succe...
May 28, 2025•28 min
In this episode, Melissa, continues a deep dive into mental health awareness throughout May. In today’s episode, we tackle one of my all-time favorite leadership topics: leading with empathy. This is the conversation no one’s having—but it’s critical. Empathetic leadership isn’t just about being nice; it’s about creating a safe, supportive environment where your team can thrive both personally and professionally. I’m sharing stories from my own journey (including one tough lesson early in my car...
May 21, 2025•29 min
Today, Melissa continues and we’re continuing our Mental Health Awareness Month series with a hard look at hustle culture—and its hidden costs. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ The “invisible load” entrepreneurs carry—and how it sneaks up on you ✅ Why the hustle hard advice works (but only for a while) ✅ How to recognize the early (and surprising) signs of burnout ✅ The three stages of business development—test, verify, grow—and where hustle actually fits in ✅ Practical tactics to step back: red...
May 14, 2025•27 min
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 t...
May 07, 2025•27 min
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...
Apr 30, 2025•31 min
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, con...
Apr 23, 2025•33 min
Uncertainty is the only certainty in business—and the past week proved that in spades. From escalating tariffs to market chaos, small business owners are feeling the pressure. In this episode, Melissa unpacks 10 concrete strategies to help your business navigate economic unpredictability with confidence, clarity, and control. Whether you're making physical products or running a service-based company, this episode will show you how to prepare for trade wars, price hikes, supply chain disruptions,...
Apr 16, 2025•28 min
Is your business growing faster than you expected? Congratulations! But now what? In this episode, Melissa shares eight crucial lessons to help business owners navigate rapid growth without crashing and burning. Drawing from her experience scaling a business from $50M to $350M in just three years, Melissa offers candid, tactical advice for building scalable systems, hiring wisely, and making data-driven decisions. If you’re scaling quickly—or hope to soon—this one’s a must-listen. What You'll Le...
Apr 09, 2025•40 min
In this episode, Melissa tackles the hot topic of accountability—what it is, why it's essential, and how its absence can have a ripple effect from the highest levels of government to your neighborhood school drop-off line. Using a current event as a jumping-off point, Melissa draws a compelling parallel between national leadership failures and everyday behavior, tying it all back to what it means for your business. She lays out six critical reasons to cultivate (and fiercely protect) a culture o...
Apr 02, 2025•33 min
What does it really take to go from “no revenue and no plan” to a thriving, predictable, and growing business? In this reflective solo episode, Melissa opens up about the first quarter of 2025 and the intense, behind-the-scenes journey that got her here. From testing failed strategies to finding her magic formula through buyer psychology and Google Ads, Melissa shares it all—raw, real, and without the glossy Instagram filter. If you've ever felt stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed in your business ...
Mar 26, 2025•28 min
Are you thinking about starting a business? Already running one but unsure what to do next? In this episode, Melissa spills the tea on 10 things every business owner should know to grow faster, avoid costly mistakes, and make better decisions. With 25 years of corporate experience, growing businesses from $50M to $350M, and working with nearly 50 entrepreneurs, Melissa shares hard-earned lessons that could save you time, money, and frustration. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🔹 Simplicity Wi...
Mar 19, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Melissa dives deep into the significance of International Women's Day and why we can’t let it be ignored. Melissa shares her personal experiences as a woman navigating corporate leadership, the impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives on her career, and the undeniable benefits of having women in leadership roles. She lays out seven compelling reasons why businesses, economies, and societies thrive when women are in decision-making positions, including: ✅ High...
Mar 12, 2025•30 min
In this episode, Melissa explores the emotional landscape of small business ownership and how to navigate it effectively. Whether you're a business owner or working for one, emotions play a significant role in daily operations. Melissa shares insights from her 25-year corporate career and experiences working with entrepreneurs, providing practical strategies for managing emotional volatility in business settings. What You'll Learn: How emotions manifest differently in corporate vs. small busines...
Mar 05, 2025•26 min
Are you frustrated by a lack of progress in your business? Wondering why your team isn't taking initiative or getting things done? You're not alone. In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, host Melissa Franks dives into the top five reasons why businesses fail to execute effectively. These challenges aren't unique—they appear across industries, impacting businesses big and small. You'll Learn: Lack of Clarity: Why visionaries and creatives often struggle to communicate specifics, and how breaking...
Feb 26, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Melissa, breaks down the biggest mistakes that seven-figure business owners make—and why these missteps keep them from scaling to eight figures. If you're a business owner or working inside a business that's growing fast, this episode is a must-listen. Melissa dives into the key phases of business maturity, explains why hitting certain revenue milestones doesn’t mean you need to hire a full executive team, and reveals the one mistake that kills profit margins faster than anythin...
Feb 19, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Melissa dives deep into the controversial and critical topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). With recent movements to dismantle DEI policies, Melissa shares a passionate and thought-provoking perspective on why these policies are essential—not just for marginalized communities but for business owners, employees, and the broader economic landscape. Melissa unpacks the history of DEI, tracing its roots back to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the affirmative action poli...
Feb 12, 2025•33 min
In this episode, Melissa breaks down the power of data in business and why ignoring it can create unnecessary drama. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by financials and metrics, this episode will give you a simple framework to start tracking the numbers that truly matter. Melissa reveals the five essential business metrics every entrepreneur should monitor to ensure profitability, efficiency, and long-term success. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why data tells the truth—whether you like it or ...
Feb 05, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Melissa takes you on a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, transformation, and branding authenticity. Sharing insights from her life and career, Melissa dives into the intersection of personal identity and professional branding, offering invaluable lessons for small business owners, employees, and anyone navigating the complexities of showing up authentically in the world. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Melissa’s personal story of overcoming constraints in her persona...
Jan 29, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Melissa dives into a critical issue many business owners face: falling out of love with their business. Drawing on her 25 years of experience, Melissa shares insights on: The root causes of burnout: Why business owners feel overwhelmed, stuck, or dissatisfied. Gary Vee’s servant leadership philosophy: What it really means and how it’s often misunderstood. The power of delegation: How to identify tasks you shouldn't be doing and find the right people to take them on. Real-life ex...
Jan 22, 2025•31 min
In this episode, Melissa dives into the challenges and opportunities that January brings for small business owners. Reflecting on her extensive experience, Melissa explains why January is not the time to make significant changes in your business, despite the urge to "burn it all down." Instead, she shares actionable advice on how to use this month strategically to plan, reflect, and stabilize before implementing new ideas in February. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why businesses often feel ...
Jan 15, 2025•29 min
In this episode, Melissa dives into a timely and critical conversation about workplace harassment, inspired by recent events involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Melissa explores the implications of these events for small business owners and leaders, highlighting the responsibilities we all have to create safe, equitable workplaces. Key Takeaways: Workplace harassment laws apply to every business, no matter the size. Business owners and leaders are responsible for fostering a culture of re...
Jan 08, 2025•26 min
In this episode, Melissa breaks down the essentials of business performance metrics. If you’ve ever asked, “What data should I track to grow my business?” this episode is for you. Melissa shares her top eight must-track metrics, why they matter, and how they can help you make smarter, data-driven decisions in 2025 and beyond. What You’ll Learn: The Truth About Metrics: Why no two businesses should track the same metrics and how to customize them for your unique needs. The Basics of Lead Tracking...
Jan 01, 2025•36 min
Building a team is one of the most exciting yet challenging parts of growing a business. But bigger isn’t always better. In this episode Melissa breaks down the myths and realities of team building, sharing actionable strategies to grow your team profitably while protecting your business’s future. Key Takeaways: Start Small, Think Big: Why solopreneurs should start with contractors before hiring employees. The Cost of Employees: Understanding the true expense of payroll, benefits, and inefficien...
Dec 25, 2024•32 min
In this holiday-themed episode, Melissa tackles the age-old question for business owners: How do you show appreciation during the holiday season without wasting money or missing the mark? From company swag to holiday parties, Melissa shares hard truths and practical advice to help you make thoughtful choices that leave a lasting impression. What You’ll Learn: Why Swag Misses the Mark: Why logoed gifts are a waste of money and don't deliver the marketing or morale boost you think they will. The P...
Dec 18, 2024•26 min
