Ep. 498 - Shanaz Hemmati - How a Tech-Savvy COO Turbocharged Growth with Smart Operations

Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Shanaz Hemmati, co-founder and COO of ZenBusiness.

In this insightful conversation, Shanaz shares the behind-the-scenes story of building a modern company with a focus on simplifying a traditionally complex process. With a passion for technology and customer experience, she walks through how the organization evolved from a simple idea to a multifaceted platform serving a diverse and rapidly growing user base. Along the way, she emphasizes the importance of research, automation, and customer feedback in shaping their product offerings and strategic decisions.

You'll discover the delicate balance between scaling responsibly and maintaining a strong internal culture. Shanaz reveals how leadership plays a critical role in hiring decisions, avoiding unnecessary bloat, and ensuring every team member is aligned with long-term goals. She reflects on the art of learning on the job, the value of thoughtful delegation, and the discipline it takes to avoid being pulled into every meeting or task.

This episode offers a glimpse into the mindset required to thrive in a leadership role, especially in fast-moving, high-growth environments.

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Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• ZenBusiness' decision to go remote, made during COVID to keep expenses low and improve communication.

• The research and iterations involved in deciding on core products like entity formation and registered agent services.

• The importance of addressing one-star reviews, while also working on automation and AI to improve customer support and reduce manual processes.

• The lessons learned from the early days of tech, as well as the importance of profitability and strategic growth.

• ZenBusiness's funding, having raised about $275 million, with their last round at a $1.7 billion valuation.

• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Shanaz Hemmati is the co-founder and COO of ZenBusiness, where she drives growth through data, systems, and inclusive leadership. Originally from Iran, Shanaz immigrated to the U.S. to pursue her education and earned a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UT Austin. Her career includes leadership roles at Excite.com, HomeAway, and ZenBusiness, where she’s known for scaling high-growth companies while maintaining a human-centered approach. A passionate advocate for diversity, she spearheaded ZenBusiness’s DEI strategy, achieving nearly 50% female representation across the organization. Recognized with awards such as Inc.’s Female Founders List (2025) and the Silver Stevie® Award (2024), Shanaz also serves as a board advisor to early-stage startups, mentoring entrepreneurs with a fearless, ethical, and impact-driven philosophy.

Important Links

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

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