What happens when you gather the most common, most challenging questions from our Director of Operations community and answer them live, without a script? Pure gold. In this Ops Edition of The Ops Authority Podcast, I'm joined once again by Lynette Robinson to tackle three real-world scenarios that every operator faces: how to clearly communicate what you do, how to build local connections that convert, and whether to niche down or stay broad as a new business owner. If you've struggled with messaging, meetups & momentum, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward strategically.

For full show notes, check out  www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/300Natalie Gingrich

Website: www.lighterlivingvirtualsolutions.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lighterlivingvirtualsolutions
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In this episode, Lynette Robinson and I dive deep into three real-world scenarios that DOOs often face when it comes to team dynamics, leadership communication, and managing project integrity. From addressing uncomfortable feedback loops to maintaining authority in hiring processes and leading remote teams, we're talking through the tough but necessary conversations that help you grow as a strategic operator. If you struggle with balancing work boundaries or communicating effectively with both leadership and team members, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay strong, professional, and aligned with your values.

Connect with Lynette:

Website: www.lighterlivingvirtualsolutions.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lynettedrobinson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lighterlivingvirtualsolutions

For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/291

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Have you been considering the agency model, and wondering if this model would be the best path for your Director of Operations (DOO) business?  Are you curious about what goes on behind the scenes in an agency, and what the difference is between agency ownership, and building a team?

I am joined today by my dear friend and peer, Tasha Booth, and we are talking about the agency model option .

Tasha has been able to master this, and in fact, has done this so well that others come and ask her how to do this with excellence.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/201.

Do you have questions about fractional work, and how to structure your business around it?

Today, we are talking about how to make fractional work functional. 

Fractional work is part time work in which you are working with multiple clients or employers at one time, and it is exactly how I built my business.

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/200.

Are you longing to move into the next iteration of your business journey?

For the last year I have been sharing how to build better businesses. Everyone here is a service provider, whether you are inside someone else's business as a dedicated employee, or building your own business.

We have been looking at growth opportunities, and in Episode 189, we talked about the "next best self" mentality. Today we are going to take that a step further and talk about gaining "career clarity."

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/199.

Is it true that you can only be a creative or an operator, but not both? Are these two things mutually exclusive, and is it possible to be successful as an operator if you consider yourself a creative?

Today, Regina Vigil joins us for a conversation. Regina came through the Director of Operations (DOO) certification as an employee, and is proof that you can be a creative and also excel at operations.

We are getting ready to launch the 19th cohort of the DOO certification program! If you are interested in joining you can learn more about the certification program and apply.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/198.

Are you curious about the Director of Operations (DOO) certification program, but hesitant because you have been on a completely different career trajectory?

This week we have a DOO spotlight, and we are joined by Kahlie Welch.

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/197.

Were you unable to attend our live event, Growth Getters Live? Are you bummed about what you might have missed out on?

Today, we are hosting our very first live event, Growth Getters Live. We have been together for 3 days working with service providers who are looking to scale their businesses. 

We've been digging deep into attendees' businesses and their lives… really getting crystal clear on who they are and what they want.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/196. 

Have you ever wondered about the ways that operators and community managers overlap? How can operators assist in empowering community managers to become strategic thinkers?

Today I am chatting with Shana Lynn, a community strategist in the operations space.

 For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/195.

Have you heard about our Accountability Advisors inside The Director of Operations (DOO) certification program? Are you wondering how they factor into your experience as a student of the DOO certification?

Today we are going behind the scenes and talking to my two amazing counterparts: Accountability Advisors, Gabbie Davis and Lynette Robinson.

They support, lead, mentor, and advise the students going through the content of the DOO certification and help them integrate the content into real life.

 For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/194.

How does mindset work affect how you show up in your DOO business?  

Today, my amazing friend and peer, Melissa Froehlich joins me as we talk about the mindset shifts that she sees Directors of Operations (DOOs) making.

 For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/193.

Are you hesitant when it comes to live events? Maybe you are an introvert, or worried about not knowing anyone, or maybe you are wondering if a live event is worth your time. 

Today, I am joined by my friend, one of our keynote speakers for Growth Getters Live, Julie Ciardi. We are talking about fast tracking your growth by attending live events.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/192.

What happens when you gather 16 sharp, mission-driven operators in one room for a few days of deep strategy, candid conversation, and real-time feedback? Magic. In this episode of The Ops Authority Podcast, I'm pulling back the curtain on the 10 biggest mastermind topics that surfaced during our recent DOO retreat in Austin. From pricing shifts to client fit, agency models to visibility, these are the behind-the-scenes issues your peers are navigating right now. Whether you're scaling, shifting, or simply seeking clarity, this episode is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.

For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/290

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It's sometimes hard to filter out all the advice of influencers in the entrepreneurial space. Do you really need to follow all of their advice to achieve a successful business?

Today, I'm sharing my spicy takes, which are the things that I'm taking a stand on. These are the things in the industry that fire me up!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/191. 

Don't forget to get your tickets for Growth Getters Live, our live conference in San Antonio, TX on April 11-13th. This is for service providers who want to realign and set a new vision for their business.

Are you making things difficult on yourself when it comes to getting quality clients who you are aligned with in your values?

Today, I am talking to service providers about the ways they are making business hard for themselves.

Right now, there seems to be a lot of resistance. There is talk about the economy and how everything is changing, but I know this: there has never been this many businesses started and attempting to scale in the history of enterprise. We are not short on opportunity.

We are having our first annual conference called Growth Getters Live. If you are ready to pivot or grow to scale, join us on April 11-13th in San Antonio, TX. This is the last week to get your ticket at a discounted price!

 For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/190.

How can you make the vision that you have for what your best life will look like a reality? 

Today we are talking about adapting a "next best self" mentality. 

Our Growth Getters Live tickets are available now! We are having an in-person live conference on April 11-13th in San Antonio, TX, for service providers who are looking to uplevel their game and gain clarity in their business. 

 For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/189.

Are you ready to make connections again, over something more than Zoom?

Today we are talking all about live events. Covid massively impacted our ability to gather, but live event circuits are popping back up.

When I started my business in 2015, I had no idea that there were Facebook groups centered around online business, and this whole community of virtual work.

 It was the first place that I started to build community. I met a lot of peers, gained referrals and clients because of these connections, and then naturally we started meeting together face to face.

 Join us for Growth Getters Live in San Antonio Texas. This will be a 3 day event on April 11-13th, and addressing the number one frustration for service providers: How do I fill this business and get it to a scaling point? Get early bird tickets before February 17th, before the price increases!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/188.

How do you make sure you are as fulfilled at work as you are in your personal life? 

Today we are talking about the number one ingredient you need for a business that you love: healthy client relationships.

We spend a lot of time working, so naturally if you want a fulfilled life you want to make sure that your career self is equally on fire for what you do at work as it is for the things you do outside of business hours.

If you are interested in learning more about the Director of Operations certification program, check out our application before it closes on February 13th!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/187.

Have you been struggling with scope creep in your work? How can you get this problem under control?

If you are in a project management role, and you have been in relationships where things got blurry after a while, or a project has gotten way out of bounds, you have experienced Scope Creep.

Scope creep is one of the biggest things that keeps operators from being their next best self. I went through this exact same thing, and I had to figure out a way to solve this problem because it was really taking the joy out of my work. 

I developed a 5-step strategy to get myself out of scope creep, and it has worked not only for me but for thousands of women who have taken this training.

Join us for this upcoming 5-day Sprint, the Scope Creep Solution.

This episode is a replay of episode 132, which is all about dealing with scope creep. You'll hear me share what it is, how it affects you, and how you can avoid it. 

For the full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/186.

Are you curious about how an employee of a company can come through the Director of Operations (DOO) certification program?

Today we are spotlighting one of our former star students, who has come through the Director of Operations certification, Erica Rivera. She came through a recent cohort as a dedicated employee of a business.

If you are thinking about joining us for the next cohort of the DOO certification program, make sure to submit an application!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/185.

Are you considering the Director of Operations certification program, but want to hear from someone who has been through the process?

Today, I am talking with a graduate of The Director of Operations (DOO) certification program, Nicola Peters. She shares her experience with the program, and the difference it has made in her business.

Join us for the Scope Creep Solution, a 5-day sprint that will help you become a better project manager and a 5-step method to help you eliminate scope creep from your life.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/184.

What can we, as operators, learn from the massive operational meltdown at Southeast Airlines over this past holiday season? 

Today we are talking about a current event that happened over this past Christmas break, the Southwest Airlines meltdown. I am going to use this example today to articulate what it is that we do as operators, and why operations is such a pinnacle part of business.

If you are a service provider and have to deal with broken boundaries, this is called scope creep. As a service provider, you will come across this over and over again. I came up with a formula to escape scope creep, and if you are stuck and need a plan to get out of this cycle, join us for the Scope Creep Solution kicking off on January 30th.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/183.

Have you taken the time to create a strong mission statement for your business? If so, have you revisited it in the past 6 months?

Today we are talking about why a mission is so important as we dive into a brand new year.

We are hosting our first ever conference in San Antonio, TX on April 11-13. Growth Getters Live will bring you tangible strategies that culminate into a plan for you, a service based business owner who is leveraging your gifts and skills into a product that you can offer to your audience. Make sure to check out our early bird pricing!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/182.

In this Ops Edition of The Ops Authority podcast, I'm joined once again by the incredible Lynette Robinson for a real-time Q&A session packed with actionable insight. We tackle your most pressing questions around managing a side business while keeping career integrity intact, negotiating salary expectations for Director of Operations roles, and recovering from rejection with grace and resilience. Whether you're growing your business or supporting someone else's, you'll walk away from this episode with the clarity and confidence to move forward on your own terms.

Connect with Lynette:

Website: www.lighterlivingvirtualsolutions.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lynettedrobinson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lighterlivingvirtualsolutions

For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/289

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What has 2022 looked like behind the scenes at The Ops Authority?

Today, I am going to give you a behind the scenes view of my business from the perspective of the CEO of The Ops Authority. 

I've traveled through all types of business models through the years, starting as a on-to-one service provider, to a one-to-many model, and finally to the CEO of the Ops Authority. I've taken all of the info that I've used to work with my clients and put it into a large container that is The Director of Operations (DOO) certification program.

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/181.

What are best practices for positioning yourself as a service provider in 2023?

Welcome to part two of our State of the Union for Service Providers, and today we are talking about the opportunities that will be available in 2023, and how you can position yourself for success.

If you missed part one of this conversation, make sure to check it out!

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/180.

What is the state of online business and service providers as we head into 2023?

This is one of our most anticipated podcasts of the year, our State of The Union for service providers. This is a two part series, so make sure to join us for part two!

I've pulled together some amazing women who have a passion to serve other people. We want to give back our learnings from this year and step into our leadership.

Today we are going to focus on 2022, what has worked, and what opportunities we have had as service providers. Come back next week, as we focus on strategies for 2023 as a service provider. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/179.

Do you want your burning DOO (Director of Operations) questions answered?

Today I am joined by my Director of Coaching, Amy Lockrin, for round five of The DOO Download, where you get the wisdom of two DOOs who have "been there, done that."

In this series we address common questions that pop up in our community. If you have questions that you would like answered, make sure to submit them!

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/178.

What does it look like for a DOO to show up inside of a thriving business? What kind of impact can a DOO make in a scaling business?

Today I have Julie Ciardi with me, an old friend who has been on a complimentary path, as well as Erin Weaver, a graduate of our DOO certification program. We are diving into what it looks like to have a high level operator in your business from the perspective of both the visionary and the DOO.

I'm Julie Ciardi! I'm a former fortune 500 marketing vice president, and I made the quantum leap to freedom after two decades in corporate. I am on a mission to help thousands of women BEcome her best self filled with purpose and passion. To do this, we must IGNITE her mind, YOUR mind.

I'm Erin Weaver! I'm originally from Upstate NY, I am married and a mom to 2 beautiful kiddos!! I am a Certified Director of Operations, have a background in business, and previously worked in Sales and Merchandising. I took some time away from the workforce and enjoyed 8 years of being a stay at home mom. After that wonderful time with my children, I decided I was ready to jump back in!! I joined Team IGNITE in 2020 and I'm so excited to be a part of this mission to help women create a life of passion, profit, & purpose!!

For the full show notes, visit: https://theopsauthority.com/podcast/177

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There are so many strategies for so many different aspects of running a business… how do you know which ones are right for you?

Today, we are talking about decisions we have to make as business owners, and the expert advice that I've received that I'm not going to listen to. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/176.

Do the financials of your business stress you out? Do you feel overwhelmed and lack confidence when it comes to these types of activities?

One of the disciplines people are most curious about is financials. It is a critical piece to becoming a holistic operator inside of a business, but also one of the areas that operators tend to shy away from. But having a CPA is not required to become savvy in financials and use that skill in an executive operational capacity. As an operator you will want to partner with people who have skills and credentials such as a CPA, tax accountant, or bookkeeper. Those people are your secret weapons!

Today, we have Susanne Mariga who is going to talk about "Profit First."

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/175.

Do you want your burning DOO (Director of Operations) questions answered?

Today I am joined by my Director of Coaching Amy Lockrin for round four of The DOO Download, where you get the wisdom of two DOOs who have "been there, done that."

In this series we address common questions that pop up in our community. If you have questions that you would like answered, make sure to submit them!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/174.

Are you struggling to bring in consistent leads from social media (either paid or organic)? Is there a better way to spend your marketing dollars and your business development hours?

My guest today is my friend Laura Meyer. She is someone I have looked up to in this space and who has a lot of complementary skills to those that I have. I have watched her flourish and seen her give generously to her audience and peers over the years. Today we are talking about building relationships, and marketing from a relationship perspective. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/173.

How does a Director of Operations (DOO) productize their business? Is there intellectual property that you have that you are not sure how to put forth into the world?

Today we have a very special guest on the podcast, Audrey Joy Kwan. Her specialty is in the agency space, and we are talking about rethinking the power of processes as intellectual property and high value assets (i.e. a moneymaker). 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/172.

In this solo episode of The Ops Authority Podcast, I'm walking you through the one strategy that has consistently helped my clients bounce back from low-revenue months and uncertainty: conversations. I'm sharing two real-life scenarios where clients saw immediate turnaround by implementing simple, organic prospecting practices. Whether you're feeling defeated or just want to avoid a dry pipeline, this episode will give you the mindset and method to turn conversations into clients. 

For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/288

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Do you know all of the options you have as a Director of Operations (DOO) when it comes to designing your business around you, your family, and what best suits your lifestyle? 

My guest today is Kimone Napier, a dear friend and alumni who came through the DOO certification program in round 3. She is a changemaker in our society and our industry and she is here to discuss the idea of intrapreneurship. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/171.

Do you wonder how graduates of the Director of Operations (DOO) certification program are utilizing the knowledge that they've gained from the program?

Today we have a special guest, a former student of the DOO certification program who shares her journey, Amber Glus.

I want to invite you to our upcoming info session Test Drive the DOO. In this 90 minute session, you will learn all about what a Director of Operations is, what kind of work they do, if certification is right for you, gain a clear understanding of the curriculum, and learn the ways we set you up to get a return on investment. Join us on Oct 11th!

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/170.

Are you thinking about joining the Director of Operations certification program, but unsure of the timing? With the current talk of economic conditions are you worried that businesses won't be looking to invest in a good operator?

Today we are going to be talking about why NOW is the best time to become a Director of Operations (DOO). 

Speaking of the DOO. If you've been eyeing the certification for a bit…or if you're just finding us, I'm inviting you to an upcoming information session. It's called Test Drive the DOO because that's exactly what we're going to do. I'll share what a DOO is and help you determine if this is the next best place for you to learn and grow….or if it's not. I'll also walk through the curriculum, showcase how we help you earn your ROI while you're in the program, and answer any of your questions. I'd love to have you join us on October 11th. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/169.

Have you been thinking about taking the leap and joining the Director of Operations certification program, but are struggling with the financial commitment piece? 

Today we are talking about what you can do if you have some financial resistance to signing up for the Director of Operations (DOO) certification program. I have six different actions you can take if money is holding you back from joining us (or whatever steps you need to take to aid your growth and development.) 

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/168.

If this is the right time for you, I encourage you to take a look at the DOO certification and make sure to listen to episode 165 which details all of the recent updates to our curriculum!

Episode 165: Evolving the DOO Certification Program 


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Of these six options, which are you going to leverage? Let us know in the Facebook group!

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Do you wonder what former students of the Director of Operations (DOO) certification program are up to? What are some of the creative ways that they have made the certification work for them?

Today I am inviting you to listen and catch up with 5 of our "OGs"... our original gals who came through our certification in rounds 1-3. We wanted to catch up with them and learn what their businesses and careers look like since completing our certification.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/167.

Have you ever wondered what the relationship between a CEO and an established Director of Operations (DOO) looks like? Also, what does it look like to go through the program and implement the curriculum into an existing business?

Today we are going to look at how DOO Greta Dean shows up as a partner to Zak Harlow, CEO of The Benefit Doctor. Greta was a part of the 12th round of The Director of Operations Certification program. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/166.

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What are some of the upcoming changes for the Director of Operations (DOO) certification program?

Today we are talking about the evolution of the DOO certification program, which has produced over 350 women through 15 rounds. I wanted to share some behind the scenes of what we have done, how we have grown, and some of the changes we have made. 

Round 16 is about to begin. If you are curious, read all about our certification program!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/165.

Do you want your burning DOO (Director of Operations) questions answered?

Today I am joined by my Director of Coaching Amy Lockrin for round three of The DOO Download, where you get the wisdom of two DOOs who have "been there, done that."

In this series we address common questions that pop up in our community. If you have questions that you would like answered, make sure to submit them!

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/164.

Is there more than one way to make the Director of Operations (DOO) certification fit into your career goals? 

Today we are spotlighting DOO student Khara Malcom. Her story is very inspiring, and she shows how she has taken the certificate and used it to her greatest benefit. Her story also highlights how diverse the certification can be.

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/163.

What are the steps that we can take to avoid scope creep?

In our previous episode we talked about stories of scope creep, and in every single case, I had a comparable story to match. Scope creep rips away the good parts of being a service provider.

Today we are continuing our stories from Episode 161, where we shared that scope creep is caused by changes that come up after you have begun a project. There are some specific things you can do to prevent this, which I will share in our upcoming training. But today, there is one key action item that you can do to avoid scope creep: defining your values. 

If you are ready to escape the plague of scope creep, join us for a 5 day adventure. Learn how to avoid scope creep, communicate ahead of time, and also establish a key process for when scope creep emerges. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/162.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Raymona Lawrence to explore how the DOO Certification helped her transition from academia to a deeply fulfilling operations leadership role. We talk about the power of naming your skill set, the frameworks that drive real ROI, and why community and support make all the difference. If you're wondering whether this path is for you, Raymona's story will inspire you to take the leap.

Website: https://thesystemsboutique.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/drraymonahlawrence

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raymona.h.lawrence

For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/287

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You may have heard us talk about "scope creep", here at The Ops Authority, but maybe you aren't familiar with what that term actually entails. So how does scope creep show up in your business?

Today we are talking about some real life examples of what happens with scope creep. Unfortunately there is rarely ever a happy ending when it comes to this concept.

We are having a free 5 day training on scope creep. If you are interested in learning what scope creep is, how to get away from it, how to communicate, and get some practical actionable tips, join us!

For full show notes, visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/161.

What are the lessons and insights that we have learned at The Ops Authority since starting a podcast?

We began this journey almost three years ago at The Ops Authority, and I am excited to celebrate 100,000 downloads! It is a number I never really shot for, but when I saw that we were close a few weeks ago, my mind was blown.

Today, I'm going to share with you what I have learned throughout my podcasting journey. 

For full show notes visit www.theopsauthority.com/podcast/160.

Are you curious about the Director of Operations (DOO) certification program, but would like to hear more about the experiences of other students who have come through the program?

Today, we have an amazing student who recently went through the program, Stacy Norris. She will be talking about her experience before and after coming into our community of Director of Operations. 

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/159.

What are the most frequently asked questions in our Director of Operations (DOO) community?

Today I am joined by my Director of Coaching Amy Lockrin for round two of The DOO Download, where you get the wisdom of two DOOs who have "been there, done that." 

In this series we address common questions that pop up in our community. If you have questions that you would like answered, make sure to submit them!

For full show notes visit theopsauthority.com/podcast/158.