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Become a Certified Scalable Operations Manager (SOM)

The Missing Link Between Strategy & Execution in Online Small Businesses

For experienced OBMs, PMs, DOOs, and Operational Leaders ready to step into a bigger role without leaving behind hands-on execution.

 
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SOM is the Certification That Meets the Real Needs of Small Businesses and Those That Lead Them Through the "Messy Middle"


Small businesses need more than traditional operational expertise when they are on a path towards scale.


They need trusted strategic thinkers who understand how to take the founder’s vision and goals and translate it into focused execution and predictable results in a fast-moving, high-change environment trying to continuously balance competing demands with limited resources.


It's a LOT of plates to keep spinning to ensure nothing comes crashing down while simultaneously trying to put the right structure in place for things to be less chaotic. 


The Scalable Ops Manager Certification was built to meet this exact need.


Whether you're an
employee supporting a founder from within their business, or an entrepreneur offering operational services to multiple clients, this certification will set you up with the proven frameworks, tools, and leadership skills you need to deliver scalable and sustainable results (without burning yourself out).

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Founders hire you as a way to avoid burn out, but who's making sure YOU don't burn out?

Hint: We are!

We help you build the ecosystem that sets the business up for scalable and sustainable growth instead of heroics and constant overwork from you and the team.

Why I Created This Certification

Most programs focus on either large businesses or isolated skillsets, both which leave you trying to stitch together the right strategies for the business(es) you support. This one is different.

It’s designed to be practical, actionable, and specific to the unique challenges of small online businesses.

If you work with a founder who is trying to scale to 7 or multi-7 figures, you already know:

  • Things move fast and change often

  • The team is lean and often stretched thin

  • The founder is still heavily involved in day-to-day operations

You’re managing moving targets, spinning plates, and translating (often unclear) vision and strategy into action - often while doing a lot of the work yourself.

This certification helps you lead through that complexity.

APPLY NOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED SOM

The Three Pillars of the Certification

This isn’t theory. It’s a proven, practical system I’ve developed over 3 decades of helping both Fortune 500s and fast-growing small businesses to scale.

1. Entrepreneurial Project Management (ePM)

You may already be certified in project management, but traditional methods break down fast in a small business. ePM is built for:

  • Fast-paced, high-change environments

  • Lean teams, fractional contributors, and shifting resources

  • Founders who constantly generate new ideas and pivots mid-plan (hello Visionary!)

You’ll learn to use my proprietary planning framework that balances structure with flexibility, and helps you lead projects that actually get DONE and done well.

2. Leadership at the Strategic Execution Level

You're the bridge between strategy and execution. You’ll learn how to:

  • Lead high-performing teams (even when they’re not "your" team or who you would have chosen to hire)

  • Translate visionary ideas into executable plans

  • Build meeting and communication cadences and decision-making filters to minimize noise and confusion

  • Effectively communicate with founders and teams in the distinct ways they need to be led

You’ll leave knowing how to lead from the middle, manage up and down, and be the operational glue that holds everything together.

3. Scalable Operations Ecosystem

Business success and founder freedom is about so much more than just SOPs and playbooks. It requires an entire ecosystem that makes scaling possible. You’ll learn how to:

  • Architect systems that grow with the business

  • Identify the missing and misaligned parts that are blocking scale

  • Build a business ecosystem that supports efficiency, profitability, and founder freedom

This is systems thinking at a strategic level - not only what to build, but why and how all the pieces work together.

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Each pillar includes live and interactive training workshops, on-demand modules and supporting content, templates, toolkits, and playbooks that you can plug right into your services and begin using right away.

SOM Program Structure

This is a six-month certification experience that blends education with implementation so you are continuously upleveling your skills and advancing towards mastery as you apply and adapt as you learn. It includes:

Monthly Live Half-Day Intensives

Each month kicks off a new framework with a focused intensive:

  • Learn Strategic Planning, Strategic Execution, Team Leadership, Operations Leadership, Scalable Systems Strategy, and Scalable Systems Management

  • Apply each framework in real time to a project or business you are working with

  • You'll leave each session with something complete (i.e. strategic plan, mapped workflows) 

Weekly Coaching + Situational Training Calls

Get support every step of the way:

  • Ask questions based on what you’re facing in real time

  • Get situational training on common challenges

  • Workshop founder curveballs and how to manage shifting priorities

Plus, exclusively for those who opt for the VIP tier, you will also have monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions.

Implementation Toolkits & Playbooks

We make it simple to implement:

  • Get access to a robust library of training modules and turnkey templates, toolkits, & playbooks
  • Get access to any new templates or training modules we release in the future for as long as you are a certified SOM

Capstone Project

You’ll complete a real-world project that pulls everything together:

  • Demonstrate your ability to lead and connect strategy and execution

  • Show measurable results from your work

  • Use this as a portfolio piece or internal impact case study

Call To Action

But that's not all...

YOU ALSO GET

  • Private SOM Community to Network and Build Relationships

  • 6 Month Membership in the SOL Collective Community

  • Scalable Operations Manager Certification

  • Certified SOM Badge Upon Passing of Exam 

  • Listing in the Certified SOM Directory*

  • Eligibility for Matching Services*

*Optional for those on the Entrepreneur Track

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If this all sounds great, you may be wondering...

What Exactly is a Scalable Ops Manager?

A Scalable Ops Manager is the bridge between strategy and execution.

A SOM blends the expertise of an ops manager with the strategic insights and scaling expertise of a CSO (Chief Strategy Officer).

They focus on helping founders put the foundation in place needed to scale successfully and sustainably.

They lead with a strategic lens, understand how to translate vision into action, and are hands-on enough to roll up their sleeves and get things done.

A SOM goes beyond managing work - they build scalable systems, develop and lead high-performing teams, and drive vision-aligned results.

A Scalable Ops Manager:

  • Orchestrates the moving pieces that make growth possible

  • Turns high-level goals into actionable plans and measurable results

  • Leads both strategy and execution with equal confidence

  • Identifies and closes operational gaps that are slowing the business down

Whether embedded in a business or supporting multiple clients, a SOM makes scale not just possible - but sustainable.

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Why Small Businesses Need Scalable Ops Managers

Founders of small, fast-growing businesses are constantly balancing vision with reality.

They’re full of big ideas, but often stuck in the weeds.

Here’s where a Scalable Ops Manager comes in:

  • They free up the founder by managing the day-to-day execution

  • They bring structure to chaos in dynamic, fast-moving environments

  • They connect the dots across marketing, delivery, operations, and team

  • They drive profitability and performance by focusing on efficiency and scalability

Unlike traditional operational roles, a SOM is built for fluidity and agility.

They can pivot when priorities shift, work across fractional or global teams, and implement just the right amount of process to keep things moving without slowing growth.

As a SOM, you'll master how to build + run scalable systems, build out + lead high-performing teams, and connect strategy to daily execution, ensuring the business is always focused on the right things at the right time.

Who the Certification is For


Becoming a SOM is perfect for those who want to remain close to the action while stepping into a more strategic role.

A Scalable Ops Manager is the bridge between strategy and execution.

The SOM certification is for those who love to partner with small businesses and play a meaningful role in their success.

You're the kind of person who thrives when you're making an impact - not just checking boxes, but actually moving the needle.

You’re energized by being the steady hand behind the scenes - the one who turns chaos into clarity, and vision into reality.

You love building smart systems, streamlining operations, and creating team alignment that makes real momentum possible.

This certification and licensing is for:

  • Strategic thinkers who want to be seen as more than just a "doer"

  • Right-hand leaders who enjoy translating big ideas into focused action

  • Operational professionals (F-COOs, DOOs, seasoned OBMs) who are passionate about helping businesses grow without the chaos, or the burnout

  • Entrepreneurs who want to offer high-impact operational services and scale a thriving and sustainable business of their own

  • Problem solvers who love to take ownership and drive results across all facets of a business

If you care deeply about making businesses better, more efficient, more scalable - and you want to be the go-to person a founder can fully trust - this certification is for you.


Please note: this is not for someone looking for early-career training.

You're experienced and already great at what you do but as a lifelong learner, you are ready for your next uplevel.

SOM is like getting an advanced college degree in scalable operations.
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Want all the details? Of course you do! ;)

GET THE FULL SOM SYLLABUS AND DETAILS

Download our in-depth SOM overview and syllabus

Two Tracks to Match Where You Are

Whether you’re inside a company or building your own business, we support you with track-specific guidance.

Employee Track

For full-time team members or right-hand leaders being sent through the certification by a founder:

  • Specialized training on how to better support the founder’s vision

  • Focused leadership development for internal teams

  • Actionable strategies for leading scalable growth for the business
  • Apply everything directly to the business you already work in

Entrepreneur Track

For consultants, ops professionals, and agency owners growing their service-based business:

  • Architect an in-demand and scalable offer suite

  • Get guidance on packaging, pricing, and positioning your services

  • Build a portfolio with real-world case studies from your capstone project

  • Learn how to land aligned clients you love working with

SOM is a Practical, Proven Path to Becoming Even More Indispensable

If you want to be the person founders rely on to scale - the one who turns strategy into execution, and chaos into systems - this certification is for you.

We keep this experience small circle and personal, so every participant gets support.

Let’s talk and see if this is the right next step for you.

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“Crista and her team provide a learning environment that truly sets you up to succeed. Having calls to expand on a specific topic, with resources and templates provided for each, lead to systematic, real-time progress within our business.

I also liked how you knew enough about each person's business to inject comments specific to them and their business during the trainings. It made it more tangible and created a more personalized experience for each of us. I can't recommend this program enough!”

It's Time to Step Into Your Next Level of Strategy and Operational Leadership and Stand Out as a Scalable Ops Manager!

6 Months of Training & Mentorship

  • Expert Curriculum
  • Mastermind-Level Support & Mentorship
  • Transformational Intensives
  • Strategy & Ops Leader Community
  • Turnkey Playbooks, Templates, & Toolkits

Certification and Licensing

  • Scalable Operations Manager Certification
  • Digital Badge for LinkedIn and Web
  • Directory Listing & Matching Potential
  • License to the Scalable Operations System
  • 1 Year Access to SOL Collective

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Your Investment?


Far Less Than The Value of Gaining Only 1 New Retainer Client

SOM Certification

$5000 $3500 Pay in Full

or 6 monthly payments of $1000 $650

VIP* SOM Certification

$7500 $5000 Pay in Full

or 6 monthly payments of $1500 $1000

*Includes 6 monthly 1:1 mentorship sessions with Jessica Maine

If you love providing feedback and being a part of shaping things, now is the perfect time to join as part of our beta cohort!

Beta pricing is available - join for only $3500 (or $5000 VIP) when you secure your seat for our April 29th start!

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Meet Your Instructor, Crista Grasso

Crista Grasso is a business scaling strategist and founder of Lean Out Method® and Strategic Ops Institute™.

With over three decades of experience, she has helped businesses - from Fortune 50 companies to small service-based businesses - streamline operations, implement lean and agile strategies, and scale sustainably.

She specializes in equipping right-hand leaders with the strategy, systems, and leadership skills to drive execution and business growth, positioning them as indispensable partners to CEOs.

Meet Your VIP Mentor, Jessica Maine

Jessica D. Maine is a seasoned strategist, coach, and consultant who is the Chief Strategy and Operating Officer (CSOO) for Strategic Ops Institute™.

With over 15 years of experience in executive leadership, management, and consulting across various industries, she has a deep understanding of the driving forces behind success and the cultivation of authentic professional relationships.

She has a passion for optimization, empowerment, and sustainable growth, bringing a human-first approach to her work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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About Your License 

Our systems, templates, toolkits, and assessments have been carefully crafted from more than 30 years of experience leading and scaling businesses ranging from Fortune 500 giants to small online service-based businesses.

There is nothing cookie cutter about the content and it is all exclusive to Strategic Ops Institute and our sister company, Lean Out Method.

With your license, you're not just getting high-value templates and tools, you're getting fully vetted systems that have been used successfully with hundreds of small businesses like the ones you work with.

The SOM High-Level Timeline

6 Months

April 29 - October 24

Monthly

1st Friday, 12pm - 5pm ET

Weekly

Thursdays, 6pm - 7pm ET

Monthly

1st Tuesday 5pm - 6pm ET

SUMMARY OF WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Monthly Live Workshop Intensives: We meet for monthly half-day intensives to deep dive into each area of the certification

  • Toolkits & Content: Get access to a robust library of training modules and turnkey templates, toolkits, & playbooks

  • Capstone Case Studies: Our carefully crafted capstone project helps you implement what you learn in real-time

  • Training & Support: You have access to live weekly training and support calls plus access to our 24x7 online community 

Want to Learn More Before Applying?

GET THE FULL SOM SYLLABUS AND DETAILS

Download our in-depth SOM overview and syllabus

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