04 December 2025 11:15 - 11:45
Zero to CS hero: Building customer success from scratch in an early-stage startup
Most Customer Success advice assumes youâve got a mature team, established processes, and a robust tech stack. But what happens when youâre the first CS hire, or the leader tasked with building the function from zero?
In this keynote, Kourtney Thomas shares lessons from the trenches of building CS teams and strategy at fast-moving, early-stage startups. Whether youâre a team of one or leading the charge through Series A, this session offers a practical framework for turning ambiguity into impact. Youâll learn how to prioritize what matters, prove the value of CS early, and lay the groundwork for long-term growth, without overengineering or burning out.
Key Takeaways:
- How to prioritise tools, processes, and metrics when resources are limited
- Tactics to gain internal buy-in and secure a seat at the leadership table
- Real examples of what worked (and what didnât) in building for scale from day one