Podcast
Growth Diaries by Zenoti
Hosted by Zenoti · EN
Welcome to Growth Diaries by Zenoti, where success stories of the beauty, wellness, and fitness industries come to life. Hosted by Sudheer Koneru, Zenoti’s visionary founder and CEO, this podcast offers a front-row seat to candid conversations with trailblazing entrepreneurs. Discover how they built thriving brands, tackled growth challenges head-on, and turned ambition into reality. Each episode delivers unfiltered strategies, behind-the-scenes stories, and actionable insights from leaders who’ve overcome real-world obstacles. Whether you're an aspiring business leader or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to gain insights from experts who’ve already triumphed over challenges, Growth Diaries is your roadmap to navigating and mastering business growth.
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Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How RockBox built a model people actually stick with
Feb 1000:59:12Tap to summarizeRoger Martin, a 3X Founder, CEO, Podcast Host, and Author, didn’t start his entrepreneurial journey in his twenties. He started it at 46 after a long, successful career in pharma by betting on something far more personal: health, fitness, and human connection.In this episode of Growth Diaries, Roger joins host Sudheer Koneru to explore what it really takes to build and scale two national franchises to 100+ locations through a customer-centric business model that drives loyalty and why listening transforms your team’s approach to growth.What You’ll Learn:How to identify and pivot to your true target market before it's too lateWhy removing mirrors from your studio is customer empathy at scaleHow to redefine sales to overcome limiting beliefs in your workforceWhy you must own and operate locations yourself before franchisingThe three-pillar growth model that fixes the ‘we generate leads, but nobody calls them’How gratitude and an intentional mindset shape business outcomesRoger Martin is the Co-founder and CEO of RockBox Fitness and beem Light Sauna, two rapidly scaling national franchise companies with combined locations across 20+ states. With a 25-year background in pharmaceutical leadership, including a Chief Operating Officer role, Roger leveraged his expertise in business development, sales, and organizational strategy to pivot into the wellness industry at age 46. He is also the Founder of ThriveMore Autopilot, a growth services agency specializing in customer acquisition and sales training for health and wellness brick-and-mortar businesses, and author of An Insider's Guide to Business.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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How endota scaled “feeling better” into Australia’s largest wellness network
Jan 2700:34:04Tap to summarizeImagine walking into a spa stressed, shoulders tense, mind racing with the weight of your day. Then, after a single treatment, something shifts. Your shoulders drop. Your breathing deepens. The mental chatter quiets. You leave feeling not just relaxed, but genuinely restored, as if you’ve pressed a reset button on your entire being. In this episode of Growth Diaries, host Sudheer Koneru is joined by Melanie Gleeson, the founding CEO of endota, to unpack how a single spa launched in 2000 grew into Australia’s largest wellness network, delivering roughly 850,000 treatments a year while staying anchored to a clear intention: helping people feel better.What You’ll Learn:How to build brand loyalty through experience giftingThe framework for scaling service-based businesses without losing qualityWhy values-aligned hiring attracts the right talent at every stageHow to transition from a scrappy startup to a multi-location franchise modelThe strategic advantage of building from service first, then adding productsHow to protect therapist energy and prevent burnout in high-touch industriesMelanie Gleeson is the founding CEO of endota. She began her journey at 15 years old with a life-changing visit to an ashram that sparked her passion for wellbeing. In 2000, driven by the simple goal of helping people feel better, she opened the first endota Spa. That single spa has since grown into Australia’s largest wellness network, expanding into endota Organics skincare and the digital endota Retreat.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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From Prince to Spalon: Turning creativity into a luxury experience brand
Jan 2000:48:29Tap to summarizeHe took a bankrupt, struggling salon with 23 demoralized employees and built it into a thriving multi-location business with nearly 400 team members, nearly $3 million in annual gift card deferred revenue, and a reputation for legendary customer service and technical excellence.In this episode of Growth Diaries, Mitchell Wherley joins host Sudheer Koneru to dive into the turnaround playbook that worked: listening first, rebuilding trust fast, crafting a mission statement that still holds decades later, and building experience gifting into a growth engine.What You’ll Learn:How to turn around a failing business by listening firstWhy building a mission statement in year one matters more than waitingThe gift card strategy that drives sustainable growthWhy pricing should reward your best providers and retain your teamHow to retain talented team members through life's transitionsThe skill that separates great leaders from good onesMitchell Wherley is the Owner of Spalon Montage, a luxury salon and spa brand that has dominated the Minneapolis-Saint Paul market for nearly 34 years. With a unique background spanning design, film, and hospitality, including years working with iconic entertainment figures, Mitchell brought an artist's perspective to the wellness industry, transforming a struggling salon into a thriving multi-location business with nearly 400 team members. Known for his expertise in experiential retail, team culture development, and customer service excellence, Mitchell has built Spalon Montage into an award-winning brand recognized for legendary technical services and high-touch guest experiences.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Why building a team matters more than growing locations
Jan 1300:55:28Tap to summarizeYou can do great work, stay fully booked, and still end up with a business that feels like a job you cannot escape. Luca Boccia lived that reality for years until Aveda business education revealed a hard truth. Most salon owners were not running businesses. They were running busy schedules with thin margins.In this episode of Growth Diaries, host Sudheer Koneru sits down with Luca Boccia, Co-Founder of Pyure Salons, to unpack the shifts that took him from having no formal business background to building a multi-location salon group rooted in benefits-driven leadership, open-book transparency, and a culture strong enough to keep top talent from walking across the street.What You’ll Learn:How to shift from “busy” to profitable, using simple business fundamentalsWhy benefits and structure beat “family culture” for retentionHow to use transparency to stop team assumptions and build trustWhat “people support what they help create” looks like in real operationsHow to drive retail through education (and track the behavior, not just the sale)Why exclusivity makes retail simpler and strongerHow to adopt AI and online booking without killing hospitalityLuca Boccia is the Co-Founder of Pyure Salons and a senior commercial and financial leader with nearly 50 years of experience spanning salon operations, business transformation, and executive finance. After owning and operating his own salon for 25 years, Luca built Pyure Salons on a benefits-driven, people-first model designed to deliver long-term profitability, retention, and exceptional guest experience. Alongside his work in the salon industry, Luca serves as a Fractional CFO for growth-stage and established businesses, including Gravity Industries, BookMyGarage, and Fractional Execs Ltd, supporting leadership teams across strategy, financial performance, governance, and scale. His background includes multinational and mid-sized businesses across technology, retail, consumer goods, and private equity-backed environments.A long-time partner and educator with Aveda Business College, Luca is known for his clarity with numbers, open-book leadership, and ability to coach both owners and teams through complexity. He leads with humility, discipline, and intellectual curiosity, challenging assumptions while bringing people along toward sustainable results.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Inside the systems, values, and decisions shaping modern salon and wellness brands
Dec 3000:22:33Tap to summarizeGrowth looks different when you stop chasing shortcuts and start designing for longevity.This Year-End Special of Growth Diaries brings together voices from across the global salon, beauty, wellness, and franchise ecosystem to reflect on what truly drives sustainable growth. From memberships and staffing to systems, culture, and leadership judgment, this episode captures the lived realities behind scaling service businesses without losing trust, talent, or soul.Hosted by Sudhir Koneru, the conversation moves fast, stays grounded, and pulls no punches. What emerges is a clear pattern. Businesses win when customers choose them freely, teams feel respected, and leaders commit to building something they believe in for the long term.What You’ll Learn:Why customers stay longer when they are not locked into contractsHow paid memberships increase commitment, not resistanceWhy staffing ahead of demand acts like marketing insuranceWhat happens when systems roll out without employee buy-inHow values only matter when they are evaluated and reinforcedWhy rewards signal respect, not just compensationHow empathy becomes a competitive advantage in service businessesWhy long-term belief beats short-term exits every timeMatt Maroonne draws from his journey as Co-Founder and CEO of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, showing how accessibility, efficiency, and results can coexist in premium skincare. From AI-powered skin analysis to a disciplined membership model, he reflects on why belief in the long game matters more than building for a quick exit.Rob Peetoom, Master Hairdresser and global salon entrepreneur, brings over five decades of perspective on craft, responsibility, and legacy. His work across Europe, the U.S., and Bali highlights how investing in people, education, and creative excellence sustains both businesses and the industry itself.Vikram Bhatt, Founder of Enrich Salons, shares how corporate rigor and financial discipline transformed an accidental start into one of India’s most trusted salon brands. His reflections center on scale with consistency, ownership models, and resilience in long-term growth.Smitha Vallurupalli and Shashank Kancharla, the duo behind Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, unpack the balance between creativity and systems. Their journey reveals how culture, operational clarity, and respect for tradition can fuel modern luxury experiences.Sahil Gupta, CEO of Bodycraft Salon Spa and Clinic, reflects on building an integrated beauty, wellness, and medical aesthetics ecosystem. His insights focus on operational flow, appointment discipline, and membership models that now drive the majority of revenue.Aaron Meyers, CEO of Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys, brings a franchising and operations lens shaped by decades of scale. He speaks to freedom over force, staffing ahead of demand, and why loyalty grows when customers choose to stay.Tommy Nielsen, CEO and Partner at Rodeo, offers a sharp take on efficiency and standards. Coming from an auditing background, he explains how discipline, restraint, and a strong membership engine helped Rodeo grow without overexpansion.And Marilyne Gagné, Founder of Dermapure, grounds the conversation in empathy and values. Her experience scaling Canada’s largest aesthetic clinic network underscores why culture, care, and patient trust remain non-negotiable at scale.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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How B12 LOVE bootstrapped 9 locations on pop-ups, referrals, and heart
Dec 2300:37:27Tap to summarizeYou have a brilliant idea for a wellness service. You know it works. Your clients LOVE it. But you’re operating in one of the most expensive real estate markets in America, competing against well-funded startups and established brands with massive marketing budgets. How do you grow without going broke?In this episode of Growth Diaries, host Sudheer Koneru is joined by Dr Shannon Gallegos and Armando Gallegos of B12 LOVE to explore how they bootstrapped their nutrient injection and IV therapy business from pop-up events to nine successful Bay Area locations, why narrow-and-deep positioning matters more than rapid expansion, and the game-changing strategies that drive 45% of their new clients through referrals alone.What You’ll Learn:How to validate your business idea before investing in real estateWhat separates good wellness businesses from great onesHow to scale a founder's expertise without bottlenecking growthThe strategic real estate advantage that reduces marketing spendWhy employee retention directly impacts your bottom lineDr Shannon Gallegos is the CEO and Founder of B12 LOVE, a functional medicine and longevity wellness brand operating nearly nine locations across the Bay Area. With a background as a midwife and naturopathic doctor, Dr Shannon specializes in nutrient therapies, IV treatments, and proactive medicine. Her 20+ years of medical expertise, combined with her passion for making longevity medicine accessible, have transformed B12 LOVE from pop-up events into a thriving wellness business serving over 60,000 loyal clients.Armando Gallegos is the COO and Co-founder of B12 LOVE, bringing a strategic digital marketing and sales background to the business. With expertise in scaling service-based businesses, Armando has been instrumental in transforming B12 LOVE from a single medical practice into a multi-location wellness brand through targeted marketing, operational systems, and strategic real estate decisions. His collaborative approach to business partnership demonstrates how complementary skill sets fuel sustainable growth, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs building teams and managing rapid expansion.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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How Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacy
Dec 200:41:07Tap to summarizeThere’s a master hairdresser who’s been thriving for 56 consecutive years. He has built 15 salons across three continents, employed over 350 stylists, and somehow remained cutting-edge in an industry where trends shift faster than a seasonal haircolor collection. More remarkably, he’s now investing his success back into training underprivileged students in Bali, offering them free housing, food, pocket money, and professional education, asking nothing in return except that they fall in love with the craft.His name is Rob Peetoom, and his story isn’t about luck or being naturally talented. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Rob sits down with host Sudheer Koneru to discuss why he prioritizes staff wellness and long-term relationships over rapid expansion, how he scaled from a single salon to 15 locations by empowering talented team members as partners, and the critical business fundamentals that separate thriving salons from struggling ones.What You’ll Learn:How to transition from solo practitioner to multi-location operator without losing qualityThe critical link between profitability and staff management in beauty businessesWhy internal training academies are non-negotiable for scalingHow to attract loyal clients without discountingThe "love what you do" principle as your competitive differentiatorHow to future-proof profitability in an evolving marketRob Peetoom is a Master Hairdresser and Salon Entrepreneur with 56 years of experience building a global beauty empire across Holland, New York, and Bali. As founder of multiple award-winning salons and the charitable Salon Academy in Bali, Rob has revolutionized beauty industry standards through his unwavering commitment to quality, staff development, and creative excellence.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Beauty that includes everyone: Inside EverySkin’s game-changing clinics
Nov 1800:35:13Tap to summarizeThe beauty industry is often criticized for its exclusivity and high prices. Nevertheless, EverySkin is proving that premium skincare can be both accessible and inclusive. Founded by Alice Sagnier and Bridget Healy in 2021, this rapidly growing chain of skincare clinics has transformed the London beauty landscape by offering high-quality treatments at affordable prices while ensuring inclusivity across all skin types and tones.In this episode of Growth Diaries, Alice and Bridget join host Sudheer Koneru to share their experiences in building a successful chain of inclusive skincare clinics in London, focusing on affordable premium treatments and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Discover their strategies for selecting prime locations, maintaining service quality, and achieving a 60% customer referral rate through exceptional experiences.What You’ll Learn:How to create an inclusive beauty brand that serves all skin types and tones while maintaining premium quality at accessible pricesWhy choosing the right location is crucial for retail successThe power of customer feedback in driving business growthHow to build a strong employee culture through thoughtful workspace design, career progression, and flexible working arrangementsWhy local community influencers can drive better results than large-scale influencer marketing for neighborhood-based businessesWhy maintaining quality control during expansion requires measured, strategic growth rather than rapid scalingAlice Sagnier and Bridget Healy are the Co-founders of EverySkin Clinic, a rapidly growing skincare and aesthetics business in London, revolutionizing accessible, inclusive skincare. With complementary backgrounds in consulting, private equity operations, and retail consumer businesses, they launched EverySkin in 2021 and have successfully expanded to seven locations. Alice, previously with Fortnum & Mason, brings vast brand-building expertise, while Bridget's experience with Australian med spa chains provides deep operational knowledge. Together, they've created a unique business model offering premium skincare treatments at affordable prices, with a focus on inclusivity across all skin types and tones.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like home with Alexandria Grado
Oct 2800:44:12Tap to summarizeNew salons open and close frequently. However, The Glam House's journey from a basement studio to a thriving four-location beauty success offers valuable lessons for ambitious wellness entrepreneurs. Founded by Alexandria Grado in 2016, this Colorado-based beauty sanctuary has transformed the traditional salon model by prioritizing transformation, education, and authentic client connections over simple service delivery.In this episode of Growth Diaries, Alexandria joins host Sudheer Koneru to dive into her story of starting in her basement as a single mom with big dreams and how The Glam House brand champions confidence, mentorship, and magnetic customer experiences that go far beyond hair. Alexandria also shares her philosophies on leadership, expansion, team culture, coaching, KPIs, and why empowering others is at the heart of her success.What You’ll Learn:How to transform a home-based beauty business into a multi-location enterprise through strategic growth and service expansionWhy creating a million-dollar feeling for every client builds lasting brand loyalty and organic growthThe three-pillar performance framework for measuring and motivating staffHow to build a profitable retail strategy by shifting from selling products to solving client needsWhy investing in team education and offering ownership opportunities creates sustainable business growthHow to scale a beauty business through licensing and franchising while empowering women entrepreneursAlexandria Grado is the Founder and CEO of The Glam House, a rapidly expanding beauty sanctuary with multiple locations across Colorado. Starting from her basement in 2016, she has grown the business into four thriving locations offering comprehensive beauty services, including hair, nails, lashes, skin treatments, and more. Known for fostering a culture of confidence and transformation, Alexandria has built a distinctive brand that emphasizes both technical excellence and emotional connection with clients.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Previous guests include: Matt Maroone of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Shabana Karim of House of Enspa, Marilyne Gagne of Dermapure, Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, Rob Peetoom of Rob Peetoom Salon.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Building a glamorous beauty brand that feels like homeHow Rob Peetoom built a global salon legacyThe power couple behind India’s Bubbles and Old School RitualsGrowth Diaries by Zenoti is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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How Molly Lyons turned facials into a skincare revolution
Feb 4, 202500:43:14Tap to summarizeFrom stock markets to skincare, Molly Lyons took an unconventional path to entrepreneurship. In this episode, she shares how her personal struggle with acne led her to leave a corporate career, earn an MBA, and become an esthetician—against all odds. Molly launched Oasis Face Bar, a fresh take on skincare that ditches the traditional spa model for quick, high-quality facials in a fun, welcoming space. She opens up about the challenges of business ownership, navigating COVID-19, and why relationships are the core of her brand. Now, with 17+ locations, she’s empowering other women to take the leap into business ownership.
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