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- 🐧 From Teacher to Fractional COO | Karina Mikhli
🐧 From Teacher to Fractional COO | Karina Mikhli
INSIDE: Consulting vs Fractional, 3/2/1 Model, Keys to Thriving Fractional Career

Today, in 10 minutes or less, you’ll learn:
🧑🏫 Karina Mikhli's inspiring journey going from teacher to publishing executive to fractional COO
⚙️ The 3/2/1 Model: A unique approach to scaling business operations efficiently.
🙅 Common mistakes and how to avoid them for a thriving fractional career

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🛠️ From Teacher to Fractional COO | Karina Mikhli
Karina Mikhli is a Community, Professional Services, and SaaS Fractional COO; Workflow Consultant; and Founder of Fractionals United. She has almost a decade of experience building, optimizing, and scaling small to mid-size businesses.
Although she can (and has) managed and optimized most functions, she provides the most value by leading and focusing teams and streamlining and optimizing systems.
Karina works best with founders looking for a right-hand partner who will manage and run the business while they focus on their areas of strength and interest. When not working, Karina loves all things books and automation.
Tell us about your career journey.
I began my professional life as a teacher, then spent two decades in the publishing industry. My career in publishing saw me rise through the ranks in content operations at various publishers.
Eventually, the changes in the industry, driven by digital transformations and multiple reorganizations, led me to explore other fields. I transitioned into consulting and eventually found my niche as a fractional COO.
This journey allowed me to blend my love for operational efficiency with a flexible work-life balance.
You’re a veteran of career pivots having worked as a publishing executive, teacher, personal trainer, and now fractional COO. What motivated you to transition to a fractional career?
I fell into fractional before it was called that, but since it’s the best of both worlds—it includes the freedom and flexibility of consulting/freelance plus the deeper impact of employment—that’s where I chose to stay and now with FrUn, want to help grow for others.
Here’s how I view the differences between consulting and fractional:
