Seattle-based tech company Zenoti was founded to help spas and salons run their business. Its platform manages a variety of spa and salon operations — things like booking appointments, checking in customers, processing payments, sending out communications and so on.
Zenoti helps spas and salons so they can pamper their customers, which ultimately helps people feel better about themselves. And while not everyone is lucky enough to be a frequent customer at a local salon or spa, that’s not to say they don’t deserve to be pampered every once in a while.
That’s why Zenoti launched the Zenoti Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to leverage the company’s position to give back to the community. To do that, the Zenoti Foundation announced its nationwide Shelter Day Series, which kicked off this week.
Zenoti’s Shelter Day Series launched its first event in collaboration with the Gene Juarez Academy cosmetics school and the Jubilee Women’s Center. Throughout this week, over 20 residents and staff from the Jubilee Women’s Center had access to hair and nail services from Gene Juarez Academy cosmetology students.
This event was inspired by the U.K.-based Haircuts 4 Homeless organization, which provides haircuts to people experiencing homelessness.
“We believe there is greatness in every single person, but for that greatness to be expressed the person needs to feel good,” Zenoti CEO and co-founder Sudheer Koneru said in a statement. “Even a simple thing like a haircut can help someone become more confident and go that much further in achieving what they want in life. So, this is our small way of making a difference to those in need.”
Although the Shelter Day Series launched in Seattle, the Zenoti Foundation is planning to roll out the program nationally. The Zenoti Foundation has already partnered barbershops and charities to plan over 15 community outreach events in cities across the country. In addition to Seattle, Zenoti is planning Shelter Day events in Portland, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia and New York.
The next Shelter Day event in Seattle will be a collaboration with Snip-Its and The Sophia Way, and is scheduled for June 14.
Other initiatives from the Zenoti Foundation includes scholarships for people looking to break into the beauty, wellness or fitness industries. Zenoti has set aside $500,000 to help fund these initiatives.
Zenoti was valued at over $1 billion as of its latest funding round.
