Hey...we haven’t been properly introduced

Hey there —

If you've been reading Systems & Side Eyes these past couple of weeks, thank you!! I started this newsletter to say what operators actually think (and what founders need to hear), and apparently, I wasn't the only one holding my breath.

Since 1,800+ of you have subscribed in 14 days (still wrapping my head around that), I figured it was time for a proper intro.

I'm Katie Barnes — the fractional COO and ops whisperer who helps overwhelmed founders stop white-knuckling their operations and start trusting their teams to actually run things.

Here's what I believe: The most scalable operations are built on human connection, not on picture-perfect processes. I work with Seed to Series B startups to untangle messy handoffs, eliminate coordination chaos, and build systems that work with your people, not despite them.

This newsletter is where I:

• Call out the patterns behind startup "character-building" (aka avoidable chaos)

• Prove that sustainable ops require people-first thinking, not just process optimization

• Show you what happens when teams actually want to follow the systems you build

• Share the tools and frameworks that stick, plus a little strategic side-eye when needed

Want to see where your team might be leaking energy?

🧘 Take the Chaos → Clarity Calculator — It's a quick self-assessment to help you spot your biggest operational friction points. You'll walk away knowing exactly where to focus first. 👉 Take it here

Or skip ahead and book a free 30-min diagnostic — I'll walk through your results with you and help you see what you might be missing.

(This call is especially valuable for early-stage founders who are tired of installing systems that nobody uses and want operations that actually create team buy-in.)

👉 Calendly link

Thanks for being here. If this newsletter helps you breathe a little easier or build something more human, please share it with a friend.

Talk soon,

Katie

P.S. Bonus pics! When I am not trying to clean up start-up messes, I am working with my husband, Tim, to fix our internal systems. A toddler and puppy can really wreak some havoc.