⚙️ Getting promoted to Beehiiv's COO

Preeya Goenka, COO of Beehiiv

Author

Rameel Sheikh
September 08, 2024

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Morning Operators ⚙️

For the next few weeks, I’ve decided to run an experiment. I’m planning to guest host on Andrew Rea’s new podcast, Operators Only.

Our goal is to chat with COOs and operators who are building the worlds next great companies.

If you love this, reply to this email to let me know! The more you respond back, the more episodes I can create.

For our first episode, we interviewed Preeya Goenka who joined Beehiiv as employee #7 and Chief of Staff, quickly rising to COO.

In just two years, she’s been instrumental in scaling Beehiiv’s ad network from manual spreadsheets to an automated powerhouse, while also playing a key role in strategic acquisitions.

In our conversation, Preeya shares insights on embracing chaos, the art of startup acquisitions, and finding motivation in high-pressure environments. She also reveals Beehiiv’s ambitious plans for the future of newsletter monetization.

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Preeya’s journey to Beehiiv is as unconventional as it is impressive. Starting in finance at Barclays and BlackRock, she pivoted to tech, joining CM Group (now Marigold) where she climbed the ranks with six promotions in rapid succession.

A stint at Nugata as VP of Customer Success and GM of Americas followed before she joined Beehiiv as employee #7 and Chief of Staff in late 2022. Now, as COO, she’s orchestrating Beehiiv’s meteoric rise in the creator economy.

In our conversation, Preeya shares:

  • The manual beginnings of Beehiiv’s ad network and the insights gained from “spreadsheet chaos”

  • Beehiiv’s opportunistic approach to acquisitions, including Swapstack and TypeDream

  • Why embracing chaos and constant learning fuels her drive in the startup world

  • Beehiiv’s vision for the future of newsletter monetization, including personalized ad placements

  • Her transition from Chief of Staff to COO and the skills that made it possible

  • The importance of cultural fit in startup acquisitions

  • How Beehiiv is working to guarantee ad placements for all publishers on their platform

Some key takeaways:

  1. Embrace manual processes early: Don’t wait for perfect systems. Getting your hands dirty with manual processes can provide invaluable insights and inform better product decisions. Preeya’s experience managing Beehiiv’s ad network through spreadsheets gave her crucial insights into publisher and advertiser needs.

  2. Acquisitions are about more than technology: When considering acquisitions, look beyond the product. The right talent, experience, and cultural fit can be just as valuable as the technology you’re acquiring. Beehiiv’s acquisitions of Swapstack and TypeDream were driven by specific needs for expertise and capabilities.

  3. Build for scale, but start small: Beehiiv’s ad network began with manual spreadsheets and is evolving into a sophisticated, automated system. Start with what works, then incrementally build towards your vision.

  4. Guarantee value to drive adoption: Beehiiv’s guarantee of at least one ad placement per month for every publisher reduces the barrier to entry for creators. Find ways to provide guaranteed value to your users to encourage adoption and loyalty.

  5. Embrace chaos as a learning opportunity: In a startup environment, chaos is inevitable. Instead of fighting it, use it as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and make a significant impact. Preeya thrives on the challenges and constant problem-solving required in a high-growth startup.

  6. Prioritize impact over comfort: If you find yourself getting too comfortable in your role, it might be time to seek out new challenges where you can have a greater impact. Preeya’s move from a VP role to an early-stage startup was driven by her desire for more impact and learning opportunities.

  7. Culture fit is crucial in acquisitions: When acquiring companies, ensure there’s a strong cultural alignment. This makes the integration process smoother and more successful, as demonstrated by Beehiiv’s acquisitions.

Where to find Preeya:

CHAPTERS:

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