A Front Row Seat to Unlocking Potential

My Zenoti Story 

Premanand Hegde, Chief of Staff at Zenoti 

 I joined Zenoti 6-years ago as Manager of Strategy & Operations. Today, I’m Zenoti’s Chief of Staff, and this journey has taught me that embracing who I am and staying curious can get you far. As the Chief of Staff, I’ve the privilege of working closely with our CEO, Sudheer Koneru, and the extended leadership team, at such an early stage in my career.

Without a doubt, the last 6-years have been nothing short of exhilarating, akin to being in a fast-moving ship propelled by strong tailwinds. 

But, for you to understand my journey, I’ll have to take you back in time.  

The early days   

Hailing from humble origins, my growing up years were a crucible where I was fortunate to experience different cities, people and cultures. These experiences had a profound impact on me, making me adaptable, resilient and seeding an appreciation for the simpler things in life.   

The well-trodden path of an IT degree, followed by a 5-year stint with a consulting firm and an MBA were the building blocks shaping who I am today. In essence pushing through challenges, seizing opportunities, while keeping the ‘curiosity’ alive are the lessons which underpin who I am.

The Debut

I vividly recall the ISB campus placements and my captivation with Zenoti’s clarity. I wasn't just looking for a job. I was looking for a mission that would satisfy an intense need to create tangible value. I wanted to work with people who had a strong sense of purpose.

I found kindred spirits in the diverse teams at Zenoti, who were united by the vision of transforming the Beauty, Wellness and Fitness Industry. An industry that has long dedicated itself to helping others feel good. The opportunity to partner and bring this quest to life was the very purpose that tipped the scales for me.

Initially I was tasked with setting up systems that would help Zenoti as it sought to scale. From establishing operational teams, to defining processes and success metrics, managing investor relations and board reporting, the learning curve was steep. I was also involved with niche projects which fueled my creativity and passion.

One such project was building the P&L model for what came to be known as Zenoti Payments. We acted with agility and speed to define and articulate the value proposition of the offering, that simplified money movement for our customers while driving growth and profitability for Zenoti. 

As I think back, the freedom offered – helped me develop an entrepreneurial mindset and that is what set me up for success.

My personal growth was accelerated not only by focusing on Zenoti’s roadmap for hyper growth and driving sustainable business success but equally imbibing Zenoti’s vision and passion. 

Guiding Lights. Don’t hesitate. Make mistakes early. 

As someone responsible for driving key initiatives, I relied extensively on cross-functional collaboration. While the projects were daunting, the process of working as a collective helped assuage self-doubt and hesitation.

Zenoti considers mistakes a part of learning, of growth.  Together, we unravel complex issues and discover potential in what we do. Thus, when opportunities like our Series C & D funding or M&As presented themselves, I plunged headlong, safe with the knowledge that there are folks who have my back.

 Fast forward a few years. I recently moved to the role of Chief of Staff, a critical management function. Truth be told, the complexities and responsibilities of the role surpass any tasks I have taken on in the past. But what amps my confidence is my unwavering faith in Zenoti’s capability of delivering value to our customers and being purpose driven.

Zenoti and our leadership live by a simple philosophy – there is greatness in everyone. And when people feel good, their greatness is unlocked and set free to fly. This belief supports everything we do. I am seen for who I am and every day since have only come closer to who I want to be. By supporting my individuality, I am given a blank canvas to paint what inspires me!  

Looking through the telescope 

We have redefined how customers experience cloud software within the Beauty, Wellness & Fitness industry by helping them elevate their guest experiences. If the past is any indicator, we are poised to create something truly special. 

As someone who has a front row seat for the next phase of our journey, I have my seat belt fastened and I am ready and excited to be a part of what comes next.