Meet Prahelika Rajagopalan
Outbound SDR Manager at Zenoti, trained Bharatanatyam classical dancer, and founder-artistic director of a dance school.
Prahelika shares how she builds high-performing outbound teams, why coachability matters more than experience, and how dance informs her leadership philosophy.
Tell us about your role at Zenoti — what does an Outbound SDR Manager do?
Thanks for the opportunity! At Zenoti I lead the Outbound SDR team. My key responsibilities include building and scaling the SDR motion, defining KPIs, coaching the team, and optimizing our top-of-funnel outreach. I partner closely with Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Operations to align messaging, target segments, and metrics. I also focus heavily on coaching: helping SDRs refine their craft, execute effective outreach, and build pipeline that converts.
What attracted you to Zenoti, and what excites you most about your work here?
I was attracted by Zenoti's mission: empowering service-businesses like salons, spas, and fitness studios with modern cloud software. It's an industry with heart — people transform lives through experiences, and Zenoti enables them operationally and commercially. What excites me daily is building something high-performing from the ground up: the outbound engine, the team culture, the opportunity to coach and see real career growth. Every SDR who joins, gets trained, succeeds — that's the most rewarding part.
Your background is interesting — you're not just a sales leader but also a dancer. How does your artistic side inform your approach to sales leadership?
Yes! I'm a trained Bharatanatyam classical dancer and founder-artistic director of a dance school. The discipline, rhythm, storytelling, and emotional connection that dance demands have surprising parallels to sales leadership. In dance, you learn timing, precision, expression, and audience connection. In outbound sales, you learn messaging cadence, listening deeply, and adapting your performance. I often tell SDRs to "own the stage," find their rhythm, and connect authentically — all principles I learned through years of dance training.
"I often tell SDRs to 'own the stage,' find their rhythm, and connect authentically — all principles I learned through years of dance training."
— Prahelika Rajagopalan
What are some of the key principles you apply when building an outbound SDR team?
- Clarity & ownership: Every SDR knows their quota, target, and success metrics. Ambiguity kills momentum.
- Talent + coaching culture: Hire for hunger, empathy, and coachability. Then invest in consistent role-plays and feedback.
- Data-driven but human-first: Track metrics, but remember the human side — tone, confidence, curiosity.
- Continuous learning: Run weekly wins/losses sessions, share best practices, and test new messaging.
- Alignment: SDRs should never be islands. Keep Marketing, AEs, and Rev Ops connected at every stage.
What's your advice for SDRs or aspiring SDR leaders who want to build a high-impact outbound motion?
Start with fundamentals — cold-calling, email outreach, follow-ups. Know your buyer's world and speak their language.
Use metrics to spark curiosity, not fear. Numbers show what happened; great SDRs ask why.
Build a peer-learning culture early. Role-plays and feedback loops accelerate growth.
And think long-term: today's SDR can be tomorrow's Sales Leader. Lead from where you are.
What's next for you and the Zenoti SDR org?
We're scaling fast — expanding our outbound team, refining buyer personas, improving our tech stack, and launching new playbooks. My goal is to make the SDR progression path crystal clear (SDR → Senior SDR → Team Lead). Personally, I'm passionate about weaving storytelling deeper into outbound and strengthening the bridge between Marketing and Sales to accelerate pipeline.
Zenoti is Hiring!
If you're coachable, energetic, and love opening doors, this is the place for you. You'll learn from experienced leaders, work in a high-growth SaaS environment, and build a meaningful career path.
View Open Roles at ZenotiIf someone is considering joining Zenoti's outbound SDR team, what would you tell them?
If you're coachable, energetic, and love opening doors, this is the place for you.
You'll learn from experienced leaders, work in a high-growth SaaS environment, and build a meaningful career path.
Most importantly, you'll help empower an industry that touches lives every day — from salons to spas to wellness studios.
Final word from Prahelika:
"Outbound isn't just about volume — it's about building relationships, earning trust, and crafting the story that opens the door. If you bring energy, hustle, and curiosity, the results will follow."
Want to join a team where talent grows and leaders coach?
Zenoti is building a world-class outbound SDR team. If you're passionate about sales, learning fast, and joining a global SaaS leader, explore opportunities at Zenoti.
Join a team where every conversation opens new doors.