COO Services Case Study
Binbox Lockers
Binbox Lockers Needed a Fractional COO
From operational chaos to disciplined execution, Binbox Lockers stabilized its business and rebuilt for sustainable growth.
“TechCXO delivers immediate, meaningful impact; it’s an impact-driven return on investment and result.”
– Daniel Flynn, Founder & CEO of Binbox Lockers
Overview
Binbox Lockers, headquartered in metro DC, is the leading provider of IOT-enabled smart-locker solutions for venues – stadiums, arenas, commercial office spaces, schools, restaurants and convention centers. With only the touch of a phone, sports fans, concert goers, employees, students and convention attendees use Binbox Lockers for safe and contactless storage to “store their stuff.”
After experiencing hypergrowth followed by a near shutdown during the pandemic — and then a sudden reopening surge — Binbox Lockers faced extreme operational volatility. Founder and CEO Daniel Flynn turned to TechCXO for experienced leadership to restore stability and scale responsibly.
Challenges
Binbox Lockers was navigating operational whiplash — rapid expansion, abrupt shutdown, and sudden reopening — all within a compressed timeframe.
- 30x quarter-over-quarter revenue growth strained people, processes, and systems
- Internal company friction was at an all time high
- Customer experience required improvement amid scaling pressure
- COVID-19 shutdown halted operations and stalled revenue, forcing survival mode
- Customers closing ceased operations, revenue stalled, cash crunch
- Sudden re-openings created urgent inventory, staffing, and execution demands
In other words, Binbox Lockers needed seasoned operational leadership to steady the business, re-organize and lead staff, and plan and execute for revitalization and long-term growth.
Goals
To regain stability and position the company for sustainable expansion, Binbox Lockers needed to:
- Stabilize field operations and internal workflows
- Improve cross-functional alignment and accountability
- Strengthen customer experience and support processes
- Build a scalable operational model to support renewed growth
- Develop a multi-year strategic plan aligned with stakeholder objectives
Solutions
To guide the company through this pivotal period, Binbox Lockers engaged TechCXO Partner Steve Subar as fractional Chief Operating Officer. With hands-on executive leadership, Steve brought structure, discipline, and accountability to daily operations while preparing the organization for its next phase of growth.
Working with the Binbox Lockers team, Steve:
- Stabilized field operations and clarified organizational responsibilities
- Created a structured hardware and software product roadmap
- Matured the software engineering process
- Oversaw sales operations and improved customer support infrastructure
- Refined the business model and implemented process improvements
- Developed a five-year operational plan aligned with stakeholder objectives
- Provided on-demand services with real-time results
- Applied a high degree of professionalism in a high-stress, emotionally-charged environment
- Built upon and improved a business model to turn around the company while putting in place a 5-year plan to achieve stakeholders’ objectives
As fractional COO, Steve Subar restored operational stability during a period of extreme volatility, aligning teams, rebuilding processes, and positioning Binbox for disciplined growth.
Partner, Fractional COO/CEO
Steve brings decades of operational leadership experience, helping growth-stage companies stabilize performance, strengthen execution, and build scalable infrastructure.
Outcome
Steve had an immediate impact retooling and optimizing Binbox Lockers processes. He formulated an overall plan encompassing each functional department and organized staff to execute on their specific objectives. Steve quickly identified the root cause of critical problems, re-organized managers to focus on their specific responsibilities, fostered effective and healthy communication, applied the right amount of pressure at the right time, and led the team to resolve key issues. Ultimately, Steve enabled the company to successfully operate through this very challenging time while building the foundation to sustain operations and accelerate profitable growth.
Operational stabilization…
Binbox Lockers restored discipline across teams, processes, and systems during a period of extreme market disruption.
Foundation for growth…
With improved structure and a defined five-year plan, the company positioned itself for scalable, profitable expansion.
“TechCXO delivers immediate, meaningful impact; it’s an impact-driven return on investment and result.”“TechCXO Clearly understands immediately the culture of the business they are working with and can make an accurate assessment and match an experienced professional to address the needs of the business that has been articulated and address the needs of the business that needs to be solved”
- Daniel Flynn CEO, Binbox Lockers
