Growth Diaries by Zenoti

She purchased a hair salon just three months before a global pandemic shut down your entire industry for six months. Most entrepreneurs would see this as the worst possible timing. However, Sarina Pualson saw it differently. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Sarina, CEO of Willo Salons, joins host Sudheer Koneru to discuss her unconventional path from studying criminal justice and rising through JCPenney’s corporate ranks to acquiring and transforming a salon business just before the pandemic.

When Emily Fernandez decided to leave her stable career as a patient experience officer at a three-hospital healthcare system, she was solving one problem she observed in her husband’s OB/GYN office, where aesthetic clients sat in waiting rooms next to women dealing with cancer diagnoses and complicated pregnancies. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Emily Fernandez, Co-founder and VP of Operations at Evolve Med Spa, joins host Sudheer Koneru to explore how a hospital patient experience leader turned a side aesthetic project into a 15-location powerhouse brand in just four years.

He arrived in America at 17 years old with no money, no English fluency, and no real plan beyond ambition. 25 years later, he has built a nine-location salon empire, created a product line distributed to over 2,000 salons nationwide, and developed a franchising model that’s fundamentally changing how stylists become business owners. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Beny Molayev, President of Hair Bar NYC, joins host Sudheer Koneru to dive into how he transformed from an immigrant with no English, no license, and no connections into the owner of nine thriving salon locations across New York and Florida.

Roger 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.

Imagine 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.

He 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.

You 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.

Growth 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.

You 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.

There’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.

The 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.

New 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.

In an industry where franchising dominates and customer loyalty is fleeting, Vikram Bhatt’s journey of building Enrich Salons into a 115+ location powerhouse challenges conventional wisdom. What started as a favor to help a friend has transformed into one of India’s largest company-owned salon chains, serving 1.4 million customers annually. But the real story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in how a corporate finance executive revolutionized the Indian beauty industry through an unexpected combination of systematic processes and emotional intelligence. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Vikram joins host Sudheer Koneru to share the full journey, including how he pioneered subscription-based memberships, built a deep culture of stylist retention, and scaled smart by focusing on depth before breadth. He opens up about business discipline, emotional marketing, performance transparency, and the power of resilience, even during crises like COVID-19.

Creating a lasting beauty and wellness brand requires more than just technical expertise. It demands vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The story of Bubbles Hair & Beauty and Old School Rituals, founded by Smita Vallurupalli & Shashank Kancharla, exemplifies how maintaining these principles can transform a single salon into a thriving beauty empire. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Smita and Shashank join host Sudheer Koneru to share their journey from launching a single luxury salon to building a multi-location beauty empire and natural skincare brand rooted in traditional Indian beauty practices.

A remarkable transformation story is unfolding in India’s beauty and wellness industry. What began as a passionate hobby in army institutes has evolved into Bodycraft, a pioneering chain of over 25 luxury wellness centers that redefine how we think about beauty, dermatology, and wellness services. At the helm of this evolution is Sahil Gupta, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who took his mother’s vision and scaled it into something extraordinary. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Sahil joins host Sudheer Koneru to reveal the strategic thinking and operational excellence that have helped Bodycraft pioneer a unique business model combining high-end salon services with medical aesthetics. His journey offers valuable lessons for wellness industry entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations while maintaining service excellence.

Creating a successful beauty and wellness franchise model requires more than just a great concept. It demands systemic execution, data-driven decision-making, and an unwavering focus on customer experience. Aaron Meyers, CEO of Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys, is proving this through the remarkable growth of his men’s grooming franchise, which has expanded to over 50 locations with plans for 1000 units nationwide. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Aaron sits down with host Sudheer Koneru to discuss how he’s revolutionizing men’s grooming through a membership-first approach. Learn why capacity should drive marketing decisions, how to create a friction-free membership model that keeps customers coming back, and proven strategies for scaling to 1000+ locations.

When it comes to medical aesthetics, one entrepreneur saw beyond the clinical approach that dominated the industry. Nicci Levy, Founder and CEO of Alchemy 43, has transformed the medical spa experience into something more approachable, lifestyle-focused, and empowering. Starting from her early days at makeup counters to building a national brand with nice locations across six markets, her journey offers valuable insights for wellness business owners looking to scale while maintaining quality and brand integrity. In this episode of Growth Diaries, Nicci joins host Sudheer Koneru to share her journey from working at cosmetics counters to building a revolutionary medical aesthetics brand. Discover how she scaled from a $7,000 investment to creating a membership-based beauty empire, leveraging strategic locations, strong referral programs, and consistent customer experiences.

Tommy Nielsen didn’t set out to run a salon empire. With a finance and consulting background, the beauty industry wasn’t on his radar until an unexpected partnership led him to Rodeo, a bold new salon concept in Denmark. Under Tommy’s leadership, Rodeo has expanded to 11 locations, attracted over 20,000 members, and redefined what a salon experience can be. In this episode of Growth Diaries, host Sudheer Koneru sits down with Tommy to explore how approaching the salon business like an entrepreneur, not a hairdresser, changed everything, from building an in-house academy and training stylists from day one to creating a membership experience that keeps 95% of clients coming back.