25 years of Business Fitness: Jenelle Schultz on capability and connection

Jenelle Schultz, Chief Operating Officer, 17 years at Business Fitness

Jenelle Schultz has led the Business Fitness team through some of its most significant periods of growth.

For the past 17 years, she has guided the company from a small Brisbane-based operation into the SaaS company it is today, with a growing suite of solutions serving accounting firms in Australia and beyond.

"What has changed most is the scale and complexity of the business itself," says Jenelle. "When I joined, we were a much smaller organisation with a desktop product and a predominantly east coast customer base. Today, we operate across multiple regions, have a much broader and more sophisticated product suite, and we're supported by specialised teams across the business."

For Jenelle, the growth story extends beyond the platform. It has also been about building an organisation capable of supporting the next phase of Business Fitness' journey. "As we've grown, the way we communicate, make decisions and work together has evolved significantly. One of the biggest shifts has been becoming a remote-first business, which has allowed us to attract talented people from across Australia, regardless of location."

While much has changed, Jenelle believes the company's enduring strength lies in something deeper than technology. "The constant has been our connection to the accounting profession and our focus on solving real problems for accounting firms. Products, technology and firms expectations continue to evolve, but that practical understanding of our clients and the work they do has remained at the centre of every decision we've made."

As Chief Operating Officer, Jenelle is particularly energised by the opportunities that come from combining strong people, capability and technology. "We've spent years building the foundations for what comes next. We have incredible people, a strong product ecosystem, emerging opportunities in AI and exciting growth potential in international markets."

For Jenelle, however, success isn't defined by growth alone. "The opportunity now is creating a more connected organisation. It's about building the systems, clarity and collaboration that allow great people and great ideas to have an even greater impact."

Looking ahead, Jenelle believes the Active Platform powered by Business Fitness is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history.

"I'm proud of what we've achieved over the past 25 years, but what excites me most is the opportunity ahead. We have the capability, experience and ambition to achieve things that simply weren't possible when I first joined the business."