The Importance of Operational Leadership in Business Growth In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into the critical role of operational leadership in driving business growth, particularly for small and medium-sized business (SMB) founders. This episode features two main speakers: the host, who introduces the episode and the guest, and Mara Whitener, a seasoned business growth strategist and fractional CEO. Mara shares her expertise on how operational leadership can transform a business, helping entrepreneurs streamline their operations and uncover hidden financial opportunities. The host opens the episode by addressing the audience, emphasizing the need for effective introductions to partners, investors, influencers, and clients. He highlights his extensive experience, having engaged in private conversations with over 2,000 leaders to discover the best sources of business growth. To support listeners in their entrepreneurial journey, he promotes a free video resource that outlines steps to achieve 100% inbound marketing in their industry over the next six to eight months, without relying on spam, ads, or sales tactics. The host encourages listeners to visit his website, upmyinfluence.com, to access this valuable resource. Mara begins by sharing her extensive background in entrepreneurship, having spent over 20 years growing six and seven-figure companies. She observes that many entrepreneurs start their businesses driven by passion and skill but soon realize the complexities of running a business can detract from their core mission. Mara positions herself as a "translator" for CEOs, helping them articulate their big vision and translating it into actionable plans that encompass systems, workflows, team dynamics, and marketing strategies. One of the key areas Mara focuses on is helping entrepreneurs identify hidden money within their businesses. She explains that many founders are sitting on untapped financial resources due to inefficient systems and processes. By analyzing their operations, Mara has helped clients uncover significant savings—one example being a client who discovered $12,000 in initial savings, which eventually grew to nearly $300,000 through strategic operational improvements. The conversation shifts to current trends in operational leadership. Mara notes a societal shift towards valuing work-life balance and the desire for entrepreneurs to enjoy their lives more. This trend has led to a demand for simpler, more efficient business operations. However, the plethora of available tools and platforms can create confusion for founders trying to determine the best fit for their needs. For those who have never hired a director of operations or fractional CEO, Mara outlines her engagement process. She begins with a "blueprint to success," where she collaborates with the CEO to assess what is working, what isn't, and where gaps exist. This thorough analysis allows her to create a customized plan that addresses the unique needs of the business. Mara invites listeners to explore the free resources available on her website, whitenerpros.com, offering a popular guide on finding hidden financial opportunities in businesses and complimentary strategy sessions to help business owners move the needle in their operations. About Mara Whitener: Meet Mara Whitener - seasoned entrepreneur, systems expert, and passionate business puzzle-solver. With over 20 years building and scaling companies, Mara brings precision and proven methodologies to unstick growth challenges. Having built and sold several 6&7 figure firms, Mara understands first-hand what it takes to transform vision into reality. Her superpower is designing fully-custom operational systems - the missing piece to level up your business. Mara’s systems empower you to take on more clients, save money, and focus on what you love. Growth doesn’t have to feel chaotic. Mara tailors solutions catered to you and fixed for how you best operate. Beyond business, she is a dedicated foster pet-parent, award-winning community leader, and thrives behind the scenes as an introvert. If you seek to turn your endeavors into well-oiled machines, let Mara work her magic. With unmatched dedication, she will unpuzzle your operations so running your business feels easy, while making your biggest dreams possible. About Whitener Professional Services: Whitener Professional Services specializes in business development, project management, and account services designed to help businesses enhance their profitability. With a dedicated team of experts, Whitener Professional Services offers tailored solutions that address the unique challenges faced by each client. Their strategic approach focuses on optimizing operations, streamlining processes, and fostering strong client relationships to drive growth. Committed to delivering measurable results, Whitener Professional Services empowers businesses to achieve their financial goals and sustain long-term success in a competitive market. Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Whitener Professional Services website at https://whitenerpros.com/ Check out Whitener Professional Services on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenbananaseo/ Check out Mara Whitener on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-whitener/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.