Big Creek Growth Newsletter: Edition #25🖐️🖐️🖐️🖐️🖐️

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Scaling Smarter: How Fractional Executives Solve Startup Challenges

Startups often feel like a race against time, juggling rapid growth with limited resources. When critical challenges arise—like launching a product or prepping for fundraising—you don’t always need a full-time hire to fix the problem. That’s where fractional experts step in, offering specialized skills to keep your startup moving forward without breaking the bank.

Startups Thrive on Agility, but Growth Brings Challenges

Startups are a constant balancing act. One day, you're celebrating a big win; the next, you're scrambling to meet a deadline, handle unexpected customer demands, or prepare for a funding round. These growing pains are part of the journey, but they can also be the difference between success and burnout. That’s where fractional professionals come in. They’re not just a temporary fix—they’re your secret to transition from firefighting mode to building a scalable, future-proof operation.

When a Specialized Expert is the Missing Ingredient

When a startup hits critical inflection points, the need for specialized expertise increases. Maybe you’re preparing to launch a product, and your dev team is stretched too thin to handle quality assurance (QA). Or you’re gearing up for a Series A pitch and realize your financial projections look more like a wish list than a data-driven plan. Hiring full-time talent for these short-term needs isn’t practical, and delaying action could cost you valuable time and market momentum. A fractional professional, whether it’s a QA consultant, a financial strategist, or a marketing guru, can parachute in to solve the problem and keep your momentum.

Real-World Solutions for High-Pressure Scenarios

Take, for example, a SaaS startup preparing to launch a new feature. The core engineering team is focused on development, but QA testing threatens to slow the timeline. Hiring a full-time QA lead might be overkill, but a fractional QA expert can step in, create testing protocols, identify bottlenecks, and ensure a smooth rollout. Not only does the product launch on time, but your engineers can stay focused on what they do best—building great software.

Critical Phases Demand Fractional Expertise

Fractional professionals are also instrumental in critical phases like fundraising or market entry. For instance, a fractional CFO can help you tighten up your financial story, prepare your investor deck, and confidently navigate negotiations with venture capitalists. Their short-term engagement brings clarity and professionalism, giving founders the confidence to face scrutiny and secure funding without committing to the cost of a full-time hire.

Fractional Experts Leave a Lasting Impact

Beyond immediate problem-solving, fractional experts offer something even more valuable: a blueprint for scaling. They don’t just plug holes—they teach your team how to build a better ship. A fractional marketing strategist might introduce your startup to new customer acquisition techniques or analytics tools. A fractional operations consultant might revamp workflows and instill processes that pay dividends long after their engagement ends. The knowledge they transfer often becomes part of your startup’s DNA, equipping you for future challenges.

Flexibility is the Key to Scalability

The beauty of fractional talent lies in its flexibility. These professionals give startups the ability to scale expertise up or down depending on the business’s needs. By leveraging their skills during critical phases, startups can sidestep costly mistakes, keep growth on track, and create a foundation for long-term success. So, the next time your startup feels like it’s in crisis mode, remember: you don’t need a full-time hire to fix a temporary problem. You just need the right fractional expert to turn chaos into a stepping stone toward scalability.

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Fractional Openings

Growth Marketing Lead @ Punks & Pinstripes
Chief Marketing Officer @ Betterengineer
Director of Performance Marketing @ Intero Chiropractic
Chief Financial Officer @ DIZPOT
Head of Data Security @ Openserv
Chief Technology Officer @ Link Health
Head of People @

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Meta Layoffs:
The Secret Opportunity You Have To Snatch Top Talent! 

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Startup Story

Trace Genomics

Trace Genomics is revolutionizing how we understand and care for soil. Using cutting-edge genomics, advanced soil science, and machine learning, the company unlocks the hidden potential of soil, turning it into a source of valuable insights. Where other solutions provide fragmented or incomplete views, Trace Genomics offers a detailed and precise analysis of soil’s biology, chemistry, and physical properties, giving farmers and agricultural innovators a holistic understanding of their most vital resource.

At the heart of Trace Genomics’ work is a mission to make soil healthier for both people and the planet. By analyzing the soil at an unprecedented level of detail, the company empowers its partners to make smarter, faster decisions that drive better outcomes—both economically and environmentally. This approach is critical in the race to achieve net-zero food production systems, balancing the demands of modern agriculture with the need for sustainability.

One of the things that sets Trace Genomics apart is its ability to deliver insights at scale. By combining its genomic expertise with powerful machine learning, the company provides partners with actionable data quickly, accurately, and affordably. Whether it’s optimizing crop yields, improving soil health, or reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Trace Genomics helps agricultural leaders turn data into measurable results.

The company’s groundbreaking work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Trace Genomics has earned recognition as a leader in agricultural technology, with accolades that include being named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, a Forbes Top 25 Most Innovative AgTech company, and a winner of FoodShot Global’s Innovating Soil 3.0 Challenge. These honors underscore its role as a trailblazer in the push for smarter, more sustainable farming practices.

Ultimately, Trace Genomics is more than a technology provider—it’s a partner in innovation. By offering comprehensive insights into the complex systems that make up soil, the company equips farmers, scientists, and agribusiness leaders with the tools they need to solve today’s challenges and build a more sustainable future. It’s not just about farming smarter; it’s about farming in a way that benefits the entire ecosystem.

With its forward-thinking approach, award-winning solutions, and commitment to advancing modern agriculture, Trace Genomics is shaping the future of farming. By activating the potential of soil, it’s paving the way for healthier crops, stronger economies, and a more resilient planet.

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EVENTS

TechBrew:AM
2/13 : 8:00-9:00
West End Architectural Salvage
207 9th St, Des Moines
Register

Startup Round Table
2/4 : 11:30-12:30
Virtual
Register

Park Street Kitchen Bar
2nd Friday of the Month
435 Park St, Des Moines

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