FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Scope, speed, and AI: the questions founders ask me most. Here are the straight answers — no filler.
How I work
What kinds of outcomes have you delivered before?
Examples:
Shipped a GPT-powered classifier in 30 days
Cut iteration cycles from days to hours
Launched MVPs in under 90 days
Automated image reviews so ops could process 90K+ files in days
The common thread: clarity that turns ideas into execution fast.
What outcomes can we expect in the first 30 days?
In the first month, teams usually see:
A clear MVP scope
Faster iteration (days, not weeks)
A prototype, pilot, or test in the wild
By day 30, you’re already shipping, not swirling.
How do you ramp up quickly?
I focus on outcomes first, not org charts. In week one I talk to customers, founders, and team leads to map what matters most. By week two I’m scoping priorities and cutting through swirl. That way, you see momentum in the first sprint — not after a long onboarding.
When should a startup hire a fractional Head of Product?
When traction is real, funding is fresh, and the stakes are high. Founders call me when roadmap resets are slowing them down, teams are spinning, or investors want sharper answers.
How fast can we expect impact?
Weeks, not quarters. Most teams feel momentum within the first sprint and see major impact within the first month. That momentum builds trust and keeps the team moving toward customers, not chaos.
Do you work with AI products?
Yes — but only where AI creates real value, not noise. The goal isn’t shiny tools — it’s clarity, speed, and real value for customers. (See outcomes above for examples.)
How is this different from coaching or advising?
Coaching = guidance. Advising = advice.
Fractional leadership = stepping in to make decisions, unblock work, and own product outcomes.
What if we already have a Head of Product?
I don’t replace them — I support them. That might mean resetting priorities, adding structure, or coaching them through a stage they haven’t lived before. That way, they stay focused while the team keeps moving toward the North Star.
Do you get hands-on with the work, or just set direction?
Both. I’ll run discovery, build prototypes, or pilot vendors if needed. But my main role is creating clarity so your team can move faster. Either way, the goal is the same: clarity that keeps the team moving forward fast.
What’s the first step if we want to work together?
Book a 30-minute roadmap call. We’ll talk through your goals, blockers, and outcomes. If there’s a fit, I’ll propose the fastest path to traction.
Fractional Work
What is fractional product leadership?
Senior product leadership, part-time. Enough to launch a product, reset a roadmap, or support a team — without the cost of a full-time hire. Some call it a fractional Head of Product or CPO. Same idea: senior clarity without 40 hours a week of overhead.
How does a fractional engagement actually work?
10–20 hours a week, usually for a few months — enough to launch a product, run a pilot, or reset a roadmap without full-time overhead.
How long do fractional engagements usually last?
Most last a few months — long enough to launch a product, reset a roadmap, or land first customers. The goal is momentum, not dependency.
What’s the difference between fractional leadership and hiring full-time?
Full-time makes sense if you know exactly what you need and have the budget. Fractional is for when you need senior impact now, not 40 hours a week.
How is fractional work different from freelancing?
Freelancers deliver projects. Fractional leaders run functions. I don’t just hand off a roadmap — I help your team deliver it.
How do you structure engagements?
Most are monthly retainers. That gives enough flexibility to flex hours as needs shift — without locking into a full-time hire.
Teams + Stages
What types of teams do you work with?
Mostly early-stage through Series C startups — SaaS, AI, and B2B. I also work with nonprofits and scaling enterprises when clarity is critical.
Do you offer workshops or one-off sessions?
Yes. Sometimes a single workshop or sprint is all a team needs to reset direction and move forward with clarity.
