Every business owner knows this key fact: success comes from solving problems that others avoid, not from luck. Stephanie Warlick has built her career around this idea. Her path wasn’t straightforward; she discovered her talent for fixing overlooked issues by chance. Once she realized this skill, she fully committed to her work and never looked back.
Stephanie’s story is about more than just consulting. It is about stepping into the chaos of small business operations, clearing the fog, and putting systems in place that actually work. Whether it’s HR, finance, or operations, she takes the tasks that weigh business owners down and turns them into smooth-running engines of growth. Through 5FT View Consulting, she is not just giving advice but providing the kind of hands-on support that changes companies from the inside out.
In this cover story, we’ll see how Stephanie’s approach is different, why her “Stand in the Gap Method” has transformed businesses, and what lessons she learned along the way that every entrepreneur can use.
A Business Built on Real-World Experience
Success doesn’t always come from a master plan—it often finds us in unexpected ways. For Stephanie Warlick, that’s exactly how her journey began. She didn’t set out to build a career in business operations and HR consulting, but life had a way of guiding her there. In 1997, her fiancé’s small business needed help, so she stepped in, handling operations and accounting. It wasn’t glamorous work, but Stephanie discovered something crucial: she had a knack for solving operational problems that bogged others down.
However, the real turning point came after the 2008 recession. Like many others, Stephanie and her husband knew they had to diversify. An opportunity came her way in the form of a federal government contracting role, where she expanded into finance, procurement, and warehouse management. The skills she learned in those twelve years became the foundation of her career. When she moved on to a role as Chief Administrative Officer for a digital accessibility company, she led five departments—HR, sales operations, accounting, contracts, and recruiting—gaining even more expertise.
In her own words, “I am genuinely excited to run small businesses. Operations, Finance, and Human Resources are critical organizational departments where I can elevate small businesses and their owner’s success by performing essential duties they typically do not like to perform or do not know how to perform.”
The Birth of 5FT View Consulting: Built for the Small Business Owner
Many business ideas come from dissatisfaction, and that was true for Stephanie. By the spring of 2023, she found herself unfulfilled in her corporate role. Reflecting on what truly brought her joy, she remembered her passion lay in supporting small businesses. Armed with 30 years of experience, she launched 5FT View Consulting, headquartered in Kensington, Maryland.
Her mission was simple: help small businesses fill the operational gaps that often stand in the way of growth. Her firm specializes in four core areas:
- Fractional COO/Fractional Integrator
- Fractional CHRO
- Stand in the Gap Method Coaching
- Digital Accessibility and Workplace Inclusion Advocacy through speaking and education
Small to medium-sized businesses often don’t need full-time HR or operations staff, but they need someone with the expertise to guide them. That’s where 5FT View steps in. Whether it’s multi-state workforce compliance, setting up payroll, developing processes, outlining policy, or scaling operations, Stephanie provides the solutions that make growth possible. The core of her business is about solving problems that small business owners don’t have the time or expertise to address.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs also do not need consultants who come in to offer grandiose ideas of the strategies they should implement. They need reliable, executive, experienced support that can take work off their plates and put fires out. This simple truth is the backbone of her success.
The Stand in the Gap Method: “Think like an Owner”
One of the cornerstones of Stephanie’s business is her proprietary coaching framework, the “Stand in the Gap Method.” This method was born from Stephanie’s years of experience watching leaders struggle with the same problems. They often think more like employees and less like owners.
The “Stand in the Gap Method” teaches individuals to adopt an “owner’s mindset,” something that’s not often talked about but is crucial for long-term success. “If you want to excel, you need to think like the person who is responsible for getting the work done,” she explains. And that’s exactly what the Stand in the Gap Method does. By empowering individuals to take control of their roles, Stephanie has seen countless professionals improve their performance and earn raises, bonuses, and career advancement.
“When you learn to think like an owner,” Stephanie says, “you’re no longer just doing a job. You’re creating value and solving problems – you’re standing in the gap.”
A Diverse Client Base with Real Challenges
Stephanie Warlick’s clients come from diverse backgrounds. These small to medium-sized businesses are not ready to take on a team of experts. Stephanie steps in to fill that gap, bringing her expertise in operations, HR, finance, quality control, digital content accessibility, and EOSⓇ right to their doorstep.
Fractional Chief Operating Officer: These clients are usually companies with two or more employees starting to grow. These businesses need someone with experience in operations to help organize and guide them. The owners have a vision but struggle with keeping all the balls in the air. As a fractional COO, Stephanie manages operations independently, which allows the owner to focus on growth.
Fractional Integrator for EOS®: For companies already using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®), Stephanie fills another vital role as a Fractional Integrator. These are often businesses that have worked with an EOS® Implementer to set up their systems but now need someone to ensure everything runs smoothly. She helps align teams with the owner’s vision, manage projects, and track progress, ensuring the business moves forward achieving their VT/O with the right people in the right seats.
Fractional Chief Human Resources Officer: For companies with five or more employees, Stephanie’s fractional CHRO service is a perfect fit. These businesses may not need a full-time HR rep but have significant HR needs—recruiting, multi-state compliance, payroll, or even crafting handbooks and policies. Stephanie provides targeted support tailored to each company’s growth stage, ensuring that HR doesn’t get in the way of growth but enables it.
Stand in the Gap Method Coaching: Her coaching isn’t limited to businesses—it’s a resource for individuals and organizations alike. Many of her clients come to her stuck in their careers, looking for guidance on moving forward. Others are companies that want to improve the effectiveness of their teams. Through her Stand in the Gap Method, Stephanie helps them find clarity, purpose, and renewed focus.
Digital Accessibility–Workplace Inclusion Advocacy: Increasingly, businesses are looking to expand their understanding of workplace inclusivity. Stephanie’s digital accessibility education addresses this by teaching employees how to make digital content accessible, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. It’s about equipping teams with the knowledge they need to create a truly inclusive workspace.
Written Wisdom: Stephanie’s Books as Extensions of Her Philosophy
In addition to her consulting work, Stephanie is an accomplished author and penned two books, including Squirrels Bowling on the Roof and Dark and Silent Office. These works offer a glimpse into her coaching philosophy and reflect her dedication to solving real problems.
“Every action I take—whether it’s writing a book, creating a solution, or obtaining a certification—comes from my belief in ‘Standing in the Gap,’” she explains. For Stephanie, this means identifying a problem that needs to be solved and solving it. Her books embody this philosophy, demonstrating how she turns challenges into opportunities for growth.
Squirrels Bowling on the Roof was born from a personal need. As a parent, Stephanie faced the challenge of helping her children overcome their fears. Similarly, Dark and Silent Office emerged from her experience as a senior HR professional. In her role, she often struggled to communicate effectively with colleagues who were blind or deaf.
A Vision for the Future: Where 5FT View is Headed
Stephanie doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon. Her goal is to grow each revenue line at 5FT View Consulting and, eventually, sell the business. She’s particularly excited about leading the HR practice for companies operating on the EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System) platform, where she serves as a fractional Integrator and CHRO.
As a 6-time DisruptHR speaker and an international bestselling author, Stephanie continues to push boundaries in her field. Her upcoming speaking engagements, where she will talk about the “Owner Mindset” and digital accessibility, are just the beginning of what’s next for her.
But even with all this on her plate, Stephanie remains grounded in her personal life. She’s learned that work-life balance is a constant journey. When she’s not solving business problems, you’ll find her hiking, playing pickleball, or spending time with family. For her, it’s all about finding a balance between work and the things that truly matter.
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