Swedish-born revenue architect Mats Forsgren joins Oh Frac! with host Adir Ron to unpack a 25+ year journey from scaling BlueCurve and LinkedIn Nordics to building GrowthGen as a fractional CRO. Mats contrasts New York’s “fast no” sales culture with Europe’s “slow no,” explains why a PE shake-up pushed him out of corporate and into fractional life, and how coaching—and the value of freedom—shaped that leap. We dig into founder-led, B2B tech companies (€0.5–2M ARR) as his sweet spot, why networking beats cold outreach early on, and how a weekly LinkedIn newsletter compounds into inbound. Mats’ frac’d-up story (his startup Clindox) delivers hard-won lessons on focus, timing, and exiting. We close with challenging impossible targets, owning the number, and the toolkit (hello, Remarkable) that keeps him sharp.

Key Takeaways:

* For founders: a fractional CRO can own the number—clarity beats proximity. * Challenge inflated targets; align revenue goals with realistic budget & capacity. * Early pipeline = network-first (referrals, communities, Superconnectors) is better than cold outreach. * Consistency compounds: a weekly LinkedIn newsletter can unlock inbound—even from silent readers. * Values matter: optimizing for freedom and fit prevents burnout and drives better work. * Ideal fit: B2B tech, founder-led, revenue-generating, aiming to professionalize sales. * Europe is catching up to the US on fractional adoption—expect more education-led selling. * Bring a coach to big career pivots; outside perspective accelerates clarity. * Failure ≠ regret: Mats’ Clindox story shows how exits (even hard ones) sharpen judgment. * Fractional survival rule: always build pipe while delivering. * Toolkit shoutout: the Remarkable e-ink tablet keeps notes searchable and workflows tight. * Superpower: fractionals open doors—tap their networks to round out your exec bench.

Chapters: 00:00 Cold open — why fractional work keeps you fresh 03:50 Intro & creds — from Sweden to LinkedIn to GrowthGen 07:40 Toughest sales lesson — NYC’s "fast no" vs. Europe’s "slow no" 11:30 From CCO to fractional — PE shake-up, coaching & values 15:20 Ideal clients — founder-led B2B tech, €0.5–2M ARR, Europe 19:10 Superconnectors — networking as a client-growth engine 23:00 Outreach vs. networking — the LinkedIn newsletter flywheel 26:50 Frac’d Up — Clindox, exits, and the LinkedIn rebound 30:40 Owning/challenging the number — targets, budgets, reputation 34:30 Quickfire & final advice — tools, clients, future of fractional

Mats Forsgren’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mats-forsgren-13152b1/

Adir’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-ron/

Keywords: fractional CRO, fractional leadership, revenue architecture, founder-led sales, B2B SaaS, Europe startups, pipeline, networking, referrals, Superconnectors, LinkedIn newsletter, inbound marketing, ARR, sales targets, budgeting, Pavilion CRO school, New York sales culture, freedom at work, executive coaching, Clindox, GrowthGen, Remarkable tablet, sales playbooks, go-to-market, scale-up, VC portfolio support

In this Oh Frac! episode, host Adir Ron sits down with Aylin Abdullah - founder of Human Collective and a powerhouse in culture, communications, and operations, to unpack the rise of fractional leadership across Europe, why “fractional ≠ contractor,” and how neurodiversity can supercharge executive teams. Aylin shares her AUDHD journey, the burnout that pushed her to redesign her career after becoming a mum, and how she now plugs fractional leaders into startups through a bench model to drive real, sustainable impact. From the UK vs. US mindset gap to practical inclusion (think: sensory-safe “bat cave” rooms) to AI tools that lighten the load, this convo is packed with field-tested lessons for founders, VCs, and aspiring fractionals. Stick around for her most “frac’d up” moment—and the quickfire round where she names the one tool she swears by.

Key takeaways: * Fractional ≠ consultant: advisory + sleeves-rolled execution embedded in the business. * Europe’s catching up: demand is rising, but education is still needed on what “fractional” really is. * Value prop founders care about: seasoned C-suite impact, cross-pollinated learnings, and lean cost (Aylin cites \~66% base-salary savings). * Bench model is better than solo act: Human Collective plugs proven fractionals into go-to-market, people, and ops gaps fast. * Chief-of-Staff angle: Aylin’s “5 Ps” approach (people, planning, performance/process, projects, and profit alignment) turns chaos into clarity. * Neurodiversity is an edge: many leaders are ND—design for brains, not just roles—and innovation follows. * Practical inclusion wins: sensory-friendly spaces (e.g., blackout “bat cave”), flexible norms that help everyone. * AI as copilot: she uses purpose-built bots (via Launch Lemonade) for outreach and research acceleration. * Pipeline truth: build runway, network early, and consider stepping down hours before going fully fractional. * Dream vs. nightmare clients: growth mindset vs. closed “I know it all” attitudes.

Chapters: 00:00 Welcome, cold open & setup 03:20 Icebreaker: the KFC-at-Christmas cultural curveball 06:30 Why Aylin went fractional: AUDHD, burnout, motherhood 10:00 From ops leader to fractional Chief of Staff + the “5 Ps” 13:30 First gigs, proposals, and the reality of financial runway 17:00 US vs. UK/EU: maturity gap & educating “fractional ≠ contractor” 20:30 The business case: savings, speed, and cross-industry perspective (+ AI) 24:00 Neurodiversity & inclusive leadership: data points, design, and impact 27:30 “Frac’d Up” moment: the mis-sent holiday email—and lessons learned 31:00 Quickfire: myth-busting, tool of choice, dream/nightmare clients, future & advice

Aylin Abdullah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylinabdullah/ Adir’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-ron/

Keywords: fractional leadership, Chief of Staff, Human Collective, culture & ops, employer branding, neurodiversity, AUDHD, dyslexia, inclusive workplaces, UK vs US, Europe startups, AI for fractionals, Launch Lemonade, portfolio careers, gig economy, founders, VCs, SaaS growth, people strategy, process & performance, fractional bench

Get ready for a masterclass in modern product leadership and fractional work. In this episode of Oh Frac!, host Adir Ron sits down with battle-tested product leader Artyom Chelbayev (ex-Yelp, Contentful, Prisma, co-founder of fintech startup Vitamin). Artyom unpacks a 15-year journey from analytics to founding, shares why he’s bullish on fractional and interim C-level roles, and explains how an AI-enabled “product OS” could unlock capacity far beyond the product team. From closing the gender wealth gap to surviving corporate innovation “sandboxes,” Artyom drops hard-won insights, horror stories, and practical frameworks you can apply tomorrow. If you’re a fractional executive, founder, or product geek looking to scale smarter and faster—this conversation is your jam.

• Fractional ≠ interim: know the overlap, respect the differences

• How to spot red-flag clients before you sign

• Why product teams should share “build power” with support & GTM

• The 2-question framework Artyom uses to audit any product org

• Lessons from founding Vitamin: bridging literacy & financial products for women

• Reclaim AI & NotebookLM: Artyom’s productivity power duo

• Navigating corporate innovation without drowning in 5-year plans

• Building network equity: the #1 lead-gen channel for fractional pros

• Future of freelance makers in an AI world—opportunity & risk

• Crafting focus: ruthless time-boxing as the secret sauce of fractional impact

00:00 Intro & Jamiroquai ice-breaker 06:10 Artyom’s four-phase career arc 12:45 Fractional vs interim vs freelance 18:30 Berlin vs SF startup mindsets 25:00 Founding Vitamin & gender wealth gap 31:40 Product discovery lessons from fintech 38:20 Building an AI-enabled product OS 44:55 “Fracked-Up Moment” – capacity reality check 51:20 Quick-fire: tools, dream clients, myths 56:40 Future of fractional & final advice

Artyom's: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artyomchelbayev/

Adir’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-ron/

Keywords: fractional leadership, interim CPO, product strategy, fintech for women, Vitamin app, AI product OS, Berlin startups, Jamiroquai, Reclaim AI, NotebookLM, corporate innovation, product discovery, network building, Oh Frac! podcast

On this episode of Oh Frac!, host Adir Ron sits down with fractional COO & Chief of Staff Konrad Jarosinski—the self-described “Swiss-Army-Knife” who’s scaled everything from Emirates and Visa to hyper-growth startups like Booksy. Konrad unpacks the realities of juggling multiple inboxes, why first-time founders obsess over product while veterans obsess over distribution, and how AI supercharges a chief-of-staff’s impact. He also shares candid war stories about fines in Switzerland, co-founder break-ups, and betting his own time for equity that never materialized. Whether you’re a founder weighing fractional talent, an exec eyeing the gig path, or an investor scouting operational firepower, this conversation is packed with unfiltered advice you can deploy today.

Key Takeaways: * Founders: distribution > product; nail your go-to-market before polishing features.

* Fractional execs can create outsized impact in as little as 5–10 hrs/week.

* Build a single “command-center” inbox to avoid costly admin slip-ups.

* Hybrid cash + equity deals require VC-level due diligence—or expect a goose-egg.

* Angel investing sharpens a fractional’s ability to pick winning clients.

* AI-native chiefs of staff unlock company-wide efficiency gains fast.

* Bootstrap vs. VC? Cash-flow-positive startups with clear governance make the best fractional clients.

* Dream clients value speed and give direct access to decision-makers; nightmare clients drown you in politics.

* Use tough, actionable feedback to stand out as an advisor or investor.

* Career pivot cheat-code: founding a startup first builds instant credibility with future clients.

Chapters: 00:00 Intro & teaser 04:30 Icebreaker – the “weirdest skill” 09:00 Konrad’s global career journey 13:30 Scaling Booksy & discovering startup pace 18:00 Founding Data Gems and co-founder exit 22:30 Going full-time fractional 27:00 COO vs. Chief of Staff—key differences 31:30 Angel-investor lens on startups 36:00 Working for equity: wins & misses 40:30 Frac’d-up moments, quickfire round & close Konrad Jarosinski’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/konradjarocinski/ Adir Ron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-ron/

Keywords: fractional leadership, fractional COO, chief of staff, startup operations, angel investing, equity for services, product-market fit, distribution strategy, AI in operations, Oh Frac podcast

On this episode of Oh Frac!, host Adir Ron sits down with Jack Oliphant—endurance athlete, former CBSi/Vox/Acast rain-maker, and self-proclaimed “fractional generalist.” From finishing an Ironman to shepherding multimillion-dollar ad products, Jack now blends RevOps, sales leadership, and operational strategy for seed-to-Series D startups. Tune in for a candid look at why CRM is a fractional’s best friend, how LinkedIn can both fuel and fool your pipeline, and the drama of a cap-table recap gone sideways. Whether you’re a founder weighing fractional talent or an exec eyeing the leap yourself, Jack’s hard-earned lessons on pacing for the long game will leave you ready to race.

Key Takeaways:

* Endurance training parallels fractional life: dream → train → race mindset

* “Fractional generalist” = RevOps glue across sales, marketing & CS

* CRM first, always—start tracking relationships on day one

* HubSpot is now a legit enterprise rival to Salesforce for many scale-ups

* Weekly Loom video updates keep clients aligned & personal

* Partnerships (e.g., Domestique) expand reach without sacrificing solo freedom

* Cap-table recaps: emotionally charged but rich in board-level lessons

* Retainer-based scopes beat hourly billing for strategic work

* Build your ICP early to filter ideal clients and engagements

* Fractional market likely to grow beyond 10 % of U.S. workforce in 5 years

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome & Jack’s intro

03:30 Ironman mindset meets fractional work

08:00 From CBSi → Vox → Acast → solo founder

12:30 Million-dollar ad product & risk tolerance

16:30 “Fractional generalist” explained + LinkedIn hacks

21:00 CRM deep-dive: HubSpot vs Salesforce

25:30 Partnering with Domestique for bigger wins

29:30 Frac’d-Up Moment: recapitalization drama

34:00 Quickfire round: myths, tools, dream clients

38:30 Final advice & where to find Jack

Jack Oliphant’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackoliphant/

Jack's website: https://www.oliphantstrategies.com

Adir Ron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-ron/

Keywords

fractional leadership, RevOps, CRM, HubSpot, Salesforce, startup growth, endurance mindset, Ironman, LinkedIn strategy, cap-table recap, revenue operations, podcasting, fractional CMO, fractional executive

What happens when a creative writer-turned-coder ditches corporate cubicles, scales an eight-person dev team from a two-man “dumpster fire,” and decides fractional life is actually safer than a “stable” job? In this episode of Oh Frac!, host Adir Ron sits down with tech strategist and fractional CTO Tricia Ballad to dissect the crossroads of creativity, code, and chaos. Tricia reveals why meticulous documentation saved her sanity, how a single code-freeze boosted productivity 150 %, and why AI copilots are like “super-eager junior devs.” Founders drowning in duct-taped systems—and seasoned execs eyeing the fractional leap—will leave with fresh frameworks, authentic war stories, and a whole lot of heart. Tune in for zero jargon, big impact, and practical steps you can use today.

Key Takeaways: * Fractional portfolios diversify risk—and can feel more secure than a lone corporate paycheck.

* Creativity and coding share the same problem-solving DNA; both turn abstract ideas into reality.

* Startups empower rapid change: you’re never more than two steps from the decision-maker.

* Thorough documentation and enforced code freezes slash tech-debt and speed releases.

* AI code assistants are brilliant “super-junior developers”—but their work still needs human QA.

* Technical vs. non-technical founders demand different leadership styles and tool stacks.

* Scaling from two cowboy coders to a structured eight-person team starts with clear systems.

* Job security is a myth; fractional careers let leaders control their income mix.

* Define the one core impact you deliver before leaving corporate for fractional work.

* Disentangled Tech’s “Get Your Tech Together” roadmap bridges early-stage chaos to growth stage.

Chapters: 00:00 Cold open – PHP vs. coaching founders 04:30 Meet Tricia Ballad: coder, author & artist 08:45 “How the Frac Did You Get Here?” – leap to freelancing 13:00 Bureaucracy shock at Chicago Transit Authority 17:15 Fractional CTO gig: 150 % productivity turnaround 21:30 Myth-busting corporate job security 25:45 Blending creative writing with computer science 30:00 AI copilots & ethics of assisted coding 34:15 Dream-client traits and nightmare red flags 38:30 Future of fractional leadership & parting advice

Connect Tricia Ballad’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciaballad/ Disentangled Tech: https://disentangledtech.com/ Adir Ron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-ron/

Keywords: fractional leadership, fractional CTO, startup operations, tech strategy, documentation, code freeze, AI coding assistant, creative problem-solving, founder coaching, Disentangled Tech, team scaling, job security myth, Get Your Tech Together, Adir Ron

Sean MacMannis traded scaling Pinterest’s ads to $1B for scaling his own freedom. In this episode of Oh Frac!, host Adir Ron unpacks Sean’s journey from big-tech marketer to Web3 DAO builder, trail-running dad, and fractional marketing coach. You’ll hear how one “soft-landing” freelance gig snowballed into multiple clients, why diversified income beats one oversized paycheck, and the surprising link between ultra-running and executive resilience. Whether you’re a founder hunting for fractional firepower or an exec flirting with freelancing, Sean’s candid wins (and frac’d-up missteps) will have you re-thinking the rules of work—and maybe lacing up for your own next big leap.

• Freedom beats titles: Sean left marquee roles to design work around family and personal values—proving founders don’t hire résumés, they hire impact.

• Web3 as a fractional sandbox: DAOs normalized contractor relationships early, making crypto a launchpad for on-demand leaders.

• Diversify or die: Multiple clients + side coaching = income stability and stronger negotiation power—vital insight for aspiring fractionals.

• Product-market you: Treat your expertise like a product; niche messaging and personal storytelling convert faster than generic positioning.

• Community is the new cafeteria: Fractionals must replace office camaraderie with curated networks (Fractionals United, District, Next Play) for support and deal flow.

• Trail-running mindset: Endurance sports cultivate the patience, pacing, and grit that consulting life demands.

• Ideal vs. nightmare clients: Great founders know “good marketing” but stay outcome-focused; micromanagers suffocate creativity and results.

• Myth-busting: Fractional ≠ “just part-time”—it’s strategic impact without full-time overhead.

• Choose your change: Make big transitions sequentially (industry or work model first) to avoid overwhelm.

• Future forecast: Fractional roles won’t replace FTEs, but will become a mainstream growth lever every savvy startup understands.

00:00 – Welcome, show intro & icebreaker 04:25 – Sean’s road from Pinterest to Web3 08:50 – Accidental entry into fractional life via DAO 13:15 – Landing multiple clients & income stacking 17:40 – Trail running, wellbeing and work stamina 22:05 – Finding (and needing) community as a fractional 26:30 – “Frac’d-up moment”: divorce & career reset 30:55 – Quickfire: tools, dream/nightmare clients, myths 35:20 – Where fractional leadership is headed next 39:45 – Sean’s one-sentence advice & episode wrap

Sean’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmacmannis/ Sean’s Trail & Error: https://trail-and-error.beehiiv.com/ Adir’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-ron/

Keywords fractional leadership, fractional CMO, Web3 marketing, DAO contracting, diversified income, trail running mindset, startup growth, executive coaching, Pinterest ads, Clubhouse, future of work, SaaS scaling, fractional toolkit, community for consultants