Building Smarter Teams: How Fractional Talent Can Fuel Agency Growth
As your agency grows, so does the pressure to hire right. But with uncertain markets, limited budgets, and a shifting workforce, the old hiring playbook doesn’t always apply.
That’s where fractional talent comes in—and if you’re still unsure what that even means, you’re not alone.
In a recent episode of Agency Darlings™, we sat down with Shaina Anderson, founder of Hello Generalist, who brings deep experience from scaling startups like Yelp and Choose. She’s seen firsthand how fractional support is transforming the way creative businesses build effective, flexible teams—without compromising on talent.
First, What Is Fractional Talent?
Let’s get one thing straight: fractional is not the same as freelance.
Freelancers tend to be task-based or deliverable-focused.
Fractional hires are often embedded leaders—think Heads of Ops, Project Managers, or Marketing Leads—who work part-time across multiple companies.
They bring strategic thinking, operational rigor, and senior-level expertise without the full-time price tag. For agency founders? That’s a game-changer.
Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you build lean, high-performing teams—without overextending your payroll.
Why More Agencies Are Going Fractional
If you’ve ever asked:
“Should I hire full-time or fractional?”
“Do I really need a Director of Ops… or just 10 hours of support a week?”
You’re asking the right questions.
Shaina’s advice? Start with the problem—not the title. Too many founders get stuck in “word soup,” trying to define a role before they’ve defined the need.
Here’s how fractional hiring helps:
✅ Allows you to test and learn before making a long-term commitment
✅ Fills strategic gaps when full-time isn’t in the budget
✅ Keeps teams lean and high-performing during periods of flux or growth
✅ Offers access to high-caliber talent that may be out of reach full-time
“Fractional doesn’t mean flaky,” Shaina said. “These are often the most experienced people in the room.”
When Full-Time Makes More Sense
While fractional roles offer flexibility, there are times when a full-time hire is the smarter move:
You need dedicated leadership in a core function
The role requires deep cross-functional collaboration
You’re entering a new phase of growth and need consistency
It’s not either/or. It’s about choosing the right tool for the right job—and building your team structure to match your current business stage.
Hiring Is a Skill—Learn It
Shaina said it best: “Hiring is a skill, not a vibe.”
Here’s what that means for agency founders:
✔️ Build a repeatable process
Don’t just hire on gut instinct. Create a system to scope roles, assess fit, and refine over time.
✔️ Vet with small projects
Start with a clear, limited engagement to see how someone works before expanding the relationship.
✔️ Prioritize values AND skills
Culture fit is not fluff—it’s a leading indicator of retention and long-term success. Hire people who do the work well and do it with integrity.
✔️ Don’t chase titles—chase solutions
Sometimes, a sharp generalist is more impactful than a hyper-specialized hire in the wrong seat.
The Future of Work Is Flexible
Your business will evolve. Your team structure should too.
Fractional support gives you the freedom to scale intentionally, experiment with less risk, and build a team that aligns with your vision—without burning out your payroll or your people.
If you’re navigating hiring decisions or considering new team models, this episode is a must-listen. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about building smarter, more sustainable teams that grow with your business.
🎧 Catch the full episode of Agency Darlings™ with Shaina Anderson to dive deeper into the future of work, the rise of fractional roles, and what it really takes to build a high-performing team in today’s world.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.