A Fractional COO and champion for high-achieving women in the professional world will deliver the talk “The Founder Bottleneck: Why Everything Runs Through You (and How to Fix It)”
“My goal is for every woman in that room to walk away with a concrete plan for creating a business that doesn’t rely on her for every single choice.”— Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO and speakerPETALUMA, CA, UNITED STATES, August 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Melissa Franks, a Fractional COO, business strategist, speaker, and the founder of On Call COO, is scheduled to address the Petaluma Young Woman’s Club at its “Women Who Lead: An Evening with Melissa Franks” event on Tuesday, August 11, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. During her appearance, Franks will deliver the presentation “The Founder Bottleneck: Why Everything Runs Through You (and How to Fix It)” and will also announce a $1,000 scholarship donation made in the name of On Call COO.
Franks, who grew up in Petaluma and is a graduate of Sonoma State University, offers a distinctive combination of corporate discipline and the flexibility of a small business in her discussions. A previous Fortune 500 executive and three-time OnCon Icon “Top 100 COO” awardee, she has overseen billion-dollar IT overhauls, merger and acquisition projects, and revenue expansion plans. She launched On Call COO to assist entrepreneurs—especially women—in overcoming growth barriers and creating scalable, sustainable enterprises.
Her presentation will tackle a frequent yet often unspoken struggle for women in leadership roles: taking on every responsibility, fixing every issue, and feeling that everything hinges on them. Franks will provide actionable methods to escape this cycle through establishing processes, fostering trust, and leading in a manner that allows both the leader and the company to flourish.
“Many founders treat being the bottleneck like a badge of honor, believing that if everything goes through them, it proves they’re essential,” Franks stated. “But the truth is, that mindset prevents the business from expanding beyond what one individual can manage. I want the women in this room to leave with a real path toward building something that doesn’t depend on them for every decision.”
As a Petaluma native, the scholarship donation underscores Franks’ ongoing dedication to uplifting and enabling women in the business world while reinforcing her connection to the Petaluma area.
Event Details:
Women Who Lead: An Evening with Melissa Franks
Tuesday, August 11, 5:00-8:00 PM
Complimentary attendance. Reservations must be made by Wednesday, August 5 via courtney.kimble@n2co.com (please specify if a vegetarian or vegan dinner is required).
Complete information: https://www.petalumawomansclub.com/event/women-who-lead-an-evening-with-melissa-franks/
About Melissa Franks
Melissa Franks is a Petaluma local and a seasoned business strategist, Fractional COO, podcast host and speaker, and transformation leader with a track record of scaling businesses and driving operational excellence with a people-first approach that mobilizes teams for unprecedented results. A Sonoma State University graduate and former Fortune 500 executive and OnCon Icon “Top 100 COO” Winner (2022-2024), she has led billion-dollar IT transformations, M&A initiatives, and revenue growth strategies, blending corporate expertise with small business agility. As the founder of On Call COO, she empowers female entrepreneurs by optimizing operations and increasing profitability with her knack for helping business owners break through growth plateaus, implement scalable strategies, and build profitable, sustainable companies. Passionate about women in leadership and business innovation, Melissa is also an advocate for high-performing women, helping them design lives they love while achieving balance and success. She is a strong voice for domestic violence awareness and family court reform. A proud Petaluma native, when not strategizing, she enjoys running, traveling, and cheering on her three sons at their sporting events. To learn more about her, visit her website at www.melissafranks.com.
Jasmine Bloemhof
n/a
+1 310-722-5861
email us here
