You're building something real. You shouldn't have to figure it all out alone.

As a founder, you're making decisions every day that most people take years to learn. Finance. HR. Compliance. Strategy. Operations. You may not need a full team of executives — but you do need someone in your corner who's been there before.

HOW I CAN HELP

Fractional services give you experienced, senior-level support on a flexible basis. You get the expertise at a fraction of the cost — scaling up when you need more, and pulling back when you don't. It's how smart founders get enterprise-grade guidance while staying lean.

  • Keep the business running while you focus on building it.

    Day-to-day operational needs — HR, compliance, business administration, bookkeeping & payroll, etc — can quietly consume a founder's time and energy. Fractional support means those functions are handled by someone who knows what they're doing, so you can stay focused on what only you can do.

  • Stop guessing. Start growing with clarity.

    Whether you're mapping out your first year or navigating a growth inflection point, strategic advising helps you get honest about what's working, what isn't, and what needs to happen next. Together we'll define your priorities, pressure-test your plans, and make sure every decision moves you closer to your goals.

  • Extra horsepower, exactly when you need it.

    Launching something new? Dealing with a specific challenge? Need a second set of experienced eyes? Project-based engagements give you targeted expertise and hands-on support without a long-term commitment.

Why Fathom

With deep experience in startups and nonprofits, Fathom Consulting understands the unique pressures founders face — limited resources, high stakes, and no margin for error. Based in Sitka, Alaska and available remotely throughout Alaska and Washington, Fathom brings practical, no-fluff guidance to businesses that are doing hard things in places that demand resilience.

Pictured: Dawn & her pup, Fathom (the dog behind the name)

Dawn Johnson | Founder & Principal Consultant

Dawn has spent over a decade in the operational and administrative trenches of startups, high-growth companies, and mission driven nonprofits; which means she's seen firsthand what it takes to build something from the ground up and keep it running under pressure (while wearing many hats).

As an owner of two businesses herself, Dawn understands the adventure -and the weight - of building something you believe in. She knows what it's like to make consequential decisions with incomplete information, to juggle strategy and operations at the same time, and to feel the pull between working in the business and working on it. That experience shapes everything about how she shows up for clients: practical, direct, and genuinely invested in their success.

She started Fathom Consulting because she knows that most founders don't need a full-time executive - they need experienced, practical support that shows up when it matters and doesn't require a six figure salary to justify.

Based in Sitka, Alaska and available remotely throughout Alaska and Washington, Dawn brings real world operational expertise to businesses that are ready to grow without the growing pains.

FAQ’s

  • A fractional consultant provides senior-level expertise on a part-time or project basis. Instead of hiring a full-time COO, HR Director, or Operations Lead - which can cost $100K+ per year - you get that same caliber of experience for the hours and scope your business actually needs. It's a smarter way to access senior-level support while keeping overhead lean.

  • Fathom is built for founders and leaders of startups, early-stage companies, and growing small businesses - typically in the range of 1 to 50 employees. If you're wearing too many hats, building systems for the first time, navigating a growth transition, or just need a strategic thought partner, we're likely a good fit.

  • It depends on what you need. Some clients engage on a recurring monthly basis for ongoing operational support. Others bring Fathom in for a specific project: a policy overhaul, a hiring process buildout, handbook development, workforce planning, etc. We start with a conversation about where you are and what would make the biggest difference, then build an engagement that fits.

  • Business operations and administration, start-up licensing, human resources and workforce compliance, accounting and payroll processes, internal systems and workflow development, strategic planning, and organizational development. If you're not sure whether your need fits, just ask.

  • Currently, Fathom serves clients in Alaska and Washington. Remote engagements are available throughout both states.

  • Use the contact form below or reach out to dawn@fathomconsultant.com to schedule an introductory call. We'll talk through where you are, what's getting in the way, and whether Fathom is the right fit — no commitment required.

Whether you're just getting started or scaling through a growth stage, let's talk about what support would make the biggest difference for you right now. No jargon. No long-term obligations to start. Just a real conversation.

Ready to get some clarity?