Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Fennema.
Hi Susan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m not only the Chaos Eradicating Officer (CEO) of Beyond the Chaos, I’m also an author and speaker who’s passionate about helping small business owners reclaim their lives from operational overwhelm.
I started Beyond the Chaos after decades of running operations and project management for small businesses that were constantly spinning their wheels. I kept seeing the same thing — talented owners buried in daily chaos, exhausted, and unable to step away without everything falling apart.
After years of watching that cycle repeat, I realized I could help more business owners by stepping out on my own. In 2016, I launched Beyond the Chaos to do exactly that — help owners streamline their operations, implement better systems, and finally take a breath.
Over the years, my fully remote, all-female team and I have helped hundreds of businesses create calm and clarity. It’s been a privilege to share that message not just with clients, but also through speaking engagements and the two books I co-authored — Your Business Is Holding You Hostage and Efficiency Amplified: Driving Business Value.
That’s what drives me: helping people build businesses that serve their lives, not consume them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not exactly. Anytime you build something real, you’re going to hit bumps.
When I started Beyond the Chaos, I was coming from decades in operations and project management, but running a business is a different animal. I had to learn how to sell my expertise, not just deliver it. In the early days, I said “yes” to too many things and nearly recreated the chaos I was supposed to be eliminating. It took a while to apply my own lessons to my business.
Another challenge was mindset. I went from being part of a team to *being* the business. That meant learning how to delegate again once I grew a team — even though delegation is literally what I teach. Funny how the mirror works.
There were also plenty of lonely moments — the kind where you’re questioning if you’re nuts for thinking people will pay you to fix their operational mess. But I knew the need was there. Every time I helped a business owner finally take a weekend off without things falling apart, it reminded me why I was doing this.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been worth every curve, because the work actually changes people’s lives — including mine.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Beyond the Chaos?
Beyond the Chaos helps small business owners get their lives back by eliminating operational chaos. We step into businesses that have grown faster than their systems — where everything runs through the owner, projects are delayed, and stress is off the charts — and we bring order to the madness.
We specialize in project management, process development, and operational consulting for service-based businesses. But we’re not just consultants who hand over a plan and walk away — we actually implement what we recommend. We roll up our sleeves and help build the systems, tools, and workflows that keep things running smoothly long after we’re gone.
What we’re known for is making complicated things simple and giving overwhelmed owners the space to breathe again. We help them delegate confidently, scale sustainably, and finally take that long-overdue vacation without their phone glued to their hand.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Beyond the Chaos stands for calm, clarity, and freedom — and that we *live* those values every day. We’re partners, not outsiders; tech-powered problem solvers who replace drama with structure, respect, and accountability. Our values aren’t marketing buzzwords — they shape how we show up for our clients *and* for each other. We’ve built a business that changes lives, both for the business owners we serve and the women on our all-remote team who get to do meaningful work without sacrificing their own balance.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve had some incredible people along the way who’ve shaped both me and Beyond the Chaos.
First, my past employers gave me the experience and perspective that built the foundation for this business. Working in small companies — often right alongside the owner — showed me exactly how operations can either make or break a business. I learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to lead teams through just about any kind of chaos.
My dad also deserves a ton of credit. He taught me how to think like a business owner long before I ever became one — to solve problems logically, work hard, and do what you say you’re going to do. That kind of integrity and practicality became the backbone of Beyond the Chaos.
And then there’s Danielle Japczyk, my right hand in this business. She’s not just a teammate — she’s a true partner in keeping the ship running. She shares my commitment to serving our clients with excellence and calm, and she’s helped turn what started as my vision into something much bigger and stronger than I could’ve built alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beyondthechaos.biz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571812468148
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanfennema/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthechaosbiz
