Fractional COO · In person or virtual
From the boardroom to the front counter.
25 years in software and operations, including COO of a healthcare technology company. Over a decade owning and growing businesses of my own. I help small and mid-sized companies find their next level of growth and build the systems to get there.
The house rules
Four rules I work by
Posted where everyone can see them. Hold me to these.
How it works
Four tickets on the rail
Every engagement moves through the same four stages. You get real value before you're ever asked to commit.
Intake
A short form about your business, your challenge, and your readiness to do the work. I read every one before we talk.
The 30-Minute Gift
A real conversation, not a sales call. You leave with something you can act on, whether you hire me or not. Plus a little homework.
Business Review
A structured diagnosis of operations, people, revenue, and risk. Then we both decide if you are ready to commit.
Proposal and Delivery
A defined scope, a clear price, and a to-do list of the actual work. Then we get it done.
Ways to work together
Strategic Access
A standing weekly meeting, notes after every session, and a direct line to me between them.
Fractional COO
Everything in Strategic Access, plus a seat in your key meetings and hands-on direction for your team.
Build and Deliver
I get inside the business and do the work. Processes, systems, and structure, built and handed over.
Not sure which fits? Tell me what you think on the intake and we'll sort it out on the call.
The newsstand
Field Notes
Lessons from running both kinds of business. Pulled from The Operator's Playbook and the work in front of me this week.
First issues are on the way. See all Field Notes when they publish.
About Estel
A practitioner who also consults
I spent years as COO in healthcare communications, where compliance, infrastructure, and vendor contracts are daily life. At the same time I was building and running small businesses of my own, with staff, customers, and payroll on the line every week.
Most consultants come from one of those worlds. I've built a career in both, and I still work in both. I know what it's like to need a second set of eyes and have nobody around with the context to help. Today I work with companies at every stage, from established small businesses to teams getting ready to launch, in person or over a screen.
More about how I workFree toolkit
Take a ticket
Templates I actually use in my own businesses. Free to grab, no strings.
Start here
The first 30 minutes are on me.
Here's exactly what happens after you hit send.
- 01 · YOU Fill out the intake About five minutes. Tell me where you see your business going.
- 02 · YOU Pick your 30 minutes Right after you submit, choose a time on my calendar. The earliest opening is two business days out.
- 03 · ME I come prepared Those two days are for me to read your intake and show up ready. If it isn't a fit, I'll tell you before the call.
- 04 · US Leave with a next step Something you can act on that week, plus a short homework assignment if we're moving forward.