13K+ Fractionals United, Founder Karina Mikhli & Her Team of 4

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Throughout history, leaders of micro-states and city-states—think Pericles of Athens or Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire—demonstrated that small, well-organized communities could achieve outsized impact. Their secret? Systems, leadership, and a clear purpose. Karina Mikhli, fractional COO and founder of Fractionals United, channels this same spirit, proving that modern micropreneurs can build scalable, impactful empires with the right tools and mindset.

Her journey offers a treasure trove of lessons for micropreneurs. Let’s explore how her experiences can guide those striving to do more with less.

From Publishing to Productivity

Karina’s story begins in an unlikely place: the publishing industry. “I loved books, so I started out in publishing,” she says. “Along the way, I realized I enjoyed [production] and was better suited to it anyhow than editorial.” Through her work, she gained expertise in workflows, project management, and leadership.

But as the publishing world shifted under the weight of digital disruption and reorganization, Karina found herself exploring freelance and consulting opportunities. It was there that she discovered her niche. “Small business founders hired me to run their business as soon as they got overwhelmed with it (ie, fractional COO work),” she explains. “That’s how my brand Right-Size COO was born.”

Key Takeaway: Success often comes from leaning into what works and staying adaptable. For micropreneurs, embracing shifts in your environment can lead to new opportunities.

Right-Size: The Power of Manageable Systems

Today, Karina leads Fractionals United, a community of over 13,000 fractional leaders. Her philosophy centers on creating “manageable, high-impact solutions.” She explains: “Given that I can run a community of 13k+ with a part-time team of four demonstrates the power of systems and automation, which is what keeps most things manageable.”

At its heart, her approach reflects the ancient wisdom of building tight-knit, interdependent communities. Fractionals United serves as a hub where members connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. The result? A dynamic ecosystem where small efforts yield big results.

Key Takeaway: Small teams can achieve massive impact with the right systems in place. Simplicity is the ultimate tool for scalability.

Optimize in an Hour: Achieving Breakthroughs Quickly

One of Karina’s standout offerings is her Optimize Hour, a focused 60-minute session where she helps clients achieve clarity on complex challenges. She shares a recent example: “A client couldn’t decide who her next hire should be to unlock future growth. By the end of the hour, she knew exactly who to hire and what that person needed to do for her company.”

In another session, she helped a team transition from an inefficient communication system to a structured Slack workflow that transformed their productivity.

Key Takeaway: Quick wins are vital for micropreneurs managing multiple priorities. An outside perspective, even for an hour, can uncover impactful solutions.

Avoiding Tool Clutter: The Essential Toolkit for Micropreneurs

Many micropreneurs fall victim to “tool clutter,” relying on too many platforms that overcomplicate workflows. Karina’s advice is simple: “Less is more.”

She recommends three essential tool areas:

1. Internal communication (e.g., Slack)

2. External communication (e.g., email)

3. Project management (e.g., Asana or Trello)

“Outside of that, it’s as needed,” she adds. “For example, a CRM or finance tool if it fits your business needs.”

Key Takeaway: Streamline your tools. Each one should solve a specific problem and integrate with others seamlessly. (Check out our sister tool cstack.ai, which should help with this problem, currently in private beta).

Building a Community Empire: The Fractionals United Story

Fractionals United began as a solution to Karina’s own challenges. “When I came back [to fractional work], I realized it was harder and knew the power of community,” she recalls. “When I looked for one for fractionals, I couldn’t find it, so I decided to see if there was interest. And there was.”

Today, the community grows by 600 members per month, driven by Karina’s focus on creating a space for connection and learning. “Everything else can be provided through other partners and allies in the fractional ecosystem,” she notes.

Key Takeaway: A strong community is a micropreneur’s empire. Invest in building relationships that amplify your impact.

Karina’s Playbook for Micro Empires

Karina’s journey offers actionable lessons for micropreneurs:

• Automate or delegate everything outside your strengths. “Keep the hell-yeah’s,” she advises, “and delegate or automate the rest.”

• Leverage AI to lighten the load. From time blocking to administrative tasks, modern tools make it easier to focus on what matters.

• Always know your next most impactful step. Focus on what will move the needle, even if it’s just one task at a time.

• Simplify your tools and workflows. Avoid clutter and ensure every tool serves a clear purpose.

Scaling Micro Empires with Purpose

Karina Mikhili’s work reminds us that micropreneurs can thrive by embracing simplicity, leveraging systems, and building strong communities. Like the leaders of ancient city-states, her approach shows the power of structure, collaboration, and focus.

Micropreneurs, take a page from Karina’s playbook: build with intention, streamline your workflows, and lean into the power of connection. Your empire may be small, but its impact can be massive.