Jay Chaudhry, the 66-year-old CEO of California-based cloud security giant Zscaler, credited his success to the consistent support from his wife, Jyoti Chaudhry.
Entrepreneur credits wife for success
The entrepreneur who founded multiple acquired companies, including SecureIT, AirDefense, CipherTrust, and CoreHarbor and amassed an estimated $17 billion net worth, told CNBC Make It, "the most important person for my success" is his wife, Jyoti Chaudhry. Without her, none of this thing would have happened.”
The CEO often advises aspiring entrepreneurs: “You want to do a great startup, get your spouse involved as a partner.”
Jay and Jyoti Chaudhry’s collaborative strength became evident from their first venture, SecureIT, co-founded in 1996.
Praising the skill set of his wife, the CEO said: "She comes from a strong finance background and MBA, and I come more from an engineering, product background.”
Acknowledging the lack of expertise in crucial business fundamentals, Jay Chaudhry said, “I do not know how to incorporate a company. She does. I never, ever figured out the payrolls and benefits of a company.”
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Billionaire CEO has "no clue" about financials
Jyoti Chaudhry stepped in to fill these vital roles in business and home. Jay Chaudhry jokingly said, “I have no clue about our own financials,” deferring to her expertise.
Jay Chaudhry describes himself as a "risk taker" who is "ready to jump off the cliff," while his wife is "a lot more conservative." She provides the necessary balance, pulling him back so that they take "measured leaps."
He told CNBC Make It that his wife Jyoti’s calm composure, especially during the high-stress situations, has been invaluable.
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