About

About Steven Sarafian

Steven E. Sarafian is a technology leader with more than 25 years in the industry. He is the Chief Technology Officer at CellCore Biosciences, where he uses technology to improve operations and support growth. Before CellCore, Steven led e-commerce and technology at SlimFast, where e-commerce grew from $2 million in 2016 to over $40 million in annual revenue by 2021. He excels at aligning technology with business objectives to deliver practical solutions that contribute to success.

Growing Up and Education

Steven grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, where he spent his childhood before heading to college. He attended Southern New Hampshire University and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration.

After graduating, Steven joined Hyper Network Solutions (HNS) in 1999 and worked across sales, marketing, finance and IT. This gave him a distinct outlook on how businesses operate and technology's role in making things run more smoothly. He went on to serve as Chief Operating Officer from 2010 to 2014, when HNS grew sales from $4 million to $45 million. During this time, Steven became interested in how technology could be used to solve business challenges, setting him up for the roles he would take on in the future.

Making Waves at SlimFast

In 2014, Steven made a significant career move when he joined SlimFast, a well-known weight management brand. At the time, SlimFast was grappling with the same issue many established brands faced: transitioning from a traditional business model to a digital-first approach. Steven was brought in to help lead that shift.

The first challenge he tackled was SlimFast's e-commerce platform. While SlimFast had a strong brand and a loyal customer base, it wasn't fully riding the wave of online shopping. Steven knew that for SlimFast to stay competitive, it needed a solid online presence, so he led the team that built an online store, allowing the company to sell directly to consumers. This led to the creation of ShopSlimFast, an omnichannel platform that allowed SlimFast to reach customers in new ways.

But Steven didn't stop there. He recognized that SlimFast needed a more personalized experience to connect with customers, so he spearheaded the development of the SlimFast Together app, which offered users tools to track their progress and get tailored recommendations. The app was a hit, quickly passing a million downloads in its first year.

Under Steven's leadership, SlimFast saw its e-commerce sales soar. From 2016 to 2021, the company's digital revenue grew from $2 million to over $40 million. In 2018, SlimFast was sold to Glanbia for $350 million, with Steven as part of the management team, and he continued to lead technology and integrated marketing for the SlimFast brand at Glanbia Performance Nutrition through 2022. This success showed how the right combination of technology and business strategy can drive real results.

Moving to CellCore Biosciences

In 2022, Steven took on a new challenge as the Chief Technology Officer at CellCore Biosciences. CellCore is a company that improves cellular health through supplements. The company had carved out its niche in the health and wellness space, but Steven saw a chance to push things forward. With his experience in digital transformation, he knew he could help CellCore enhance its technological infrastructure and better connect with customers.

As CTO, Steven has focused on streamlining operations and building scalable systems that will support CellCore's growth in the future. He has worked to improve the company's digital platforms, ensuring they are user-friendly and offer valuable data to customers. One of his main goals is to make the customer experience as personal as possible, just as he did at SlimFast. By using data analytics, Steven is helping CellCore recommend products and services that meet each customer's unique needs.

But for Steven, it's also about the people. He has focused on creating a collaborative environment at CellCore, encouraging innovation and new ideas. Steven believes in bringing teams together and empowering people to contribute ideas, whether working on large-scale projects or smaller, day-to-day tasks.

Zentech Systems

Steven is also the founder and principal of Zentech Systems LLC, an independent technology consultancy he formed in 2018. Zentech helps companies turn AI, automation and business systems into measurable results, working alongside their own teams and implementation partners.

Achievements and Recognition

Steven's work has been recognized for its impact on businesses over the years. His most notable achievement came at SlimFast, where he helped transform the company from a traditional, brick-and-mortar business to a modern organization. Under his leadership, SlimFast grew its online sales and created new ways for customers to engage with the brand.

Steven is also known for his ability to manage large, complex projects. He has overseen multiple digital transformations and has built high-performing teams that thrive in high-pressure settings. Under his leadership, businesses have grown, encouraging a culture of growth and forward thinking.

Leadership Style and Vision

Steven's leadership style involves collaboration, creativity and continuous improvement. In both large teams and smaller groups, Steven aims to create an environment where individuals feel confident expressing their ideas and taking smart risks. He understands companies must be flexible and open to new ideas to stay competitive.

At CellCore, Steven has worked to build a culture of collaboration where people from different teams and backgrounds come together to solve problems. He believes great things can happen when everyone works toward the same goal.

Balancing Work and Life

While Steven's career is demanding, he also understands the importance of balancing work with personal time. In his downtime, he enjoys family time and often finds peace in activities like golfing or fishing, which allow him to relax and refresh.