Recently, Zepto's Chief Product Officer and co-founder, Trevor Wistaff, traded his keyboard for a tiller, skippering a skiff at the 2025 Formula Fifteen (F15) National Championships held at Teralba ASC on Lake Macquarie in the Hunter Region of New South Wales.
Competing against seasoned sailors, Trevor and his crew, Charlotte, finished a respectable 7th overall.
"That was a great result for us. I've only been sailing skiffs for two years, and Charlotte has only been sailing for six months. Competing against lifelong sailors, we're proud of our performance."
Trevor Wistaff
The regatta, held over the Australia Day weekend, saw tight competition, with the top four boats each winning two heats, and even the fifth-placed boat claiming a victory. Light winds presented challenging conditions, with shifts in wind strength and direction testing the sailors' adaptability. F15s are two-person boats, requiring close teamwork and communication between the skipper and crew especially when both are on the wire.
Trevor's competitive spirit isn't confined to the water; it's a driving force behind Zepto's success. He sees clear parallels between high-performance sailing and scaling a world-class business.
"Whether you're skippering a skiff or leading a company, success comes down to several key factors."
Trevor Wistaff
Crew Dynamics and Synchronisation: Just like a successful sailing crew, a high-performing team needs to be in sync. Understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses, communicating effectively, and working together seamlessly are crucial for achieving shared goals. At Zepto, this translates into a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, where every team member feels valued and empowered. This echoes Zepto's value of 'Together we're stronger'.
Minimising Mistakes and Maximising Efficiency: In sailing, every move counts. Minimising errors and maximising the efficiency of each action is essential for gaining an edge. The same principle applies to business. By streamlining processes, optimising workflows, and focusing on execution, Zepto strives to maximise its impact and deliver exceptional value to its customers.
Adapting to Shifting Conditions: Sailing, like the business world, is constantly changing. Being attentive to shifting conditions, adapting to new challenges, and remaining agile are crucial for success. Trevor notes, "The light and variable winds at the regatta forced us to constantly adjust our strategy." At Zepto, this translates into a willingness to 'Embrace uncertainty' — a Zepto company value — and a commitment to innovation, allowing the company to stay ahead of the curve in the dynamic payments landscape.
The Importance of Practice and Embracing Failure: "You only achieve high performance and success with practice and not being afraid of pushing the limits and failing... often," Trevor emphasises. "If you're not failing in practice, you're not practising." This philosophy is deeply ingrained in Zepto's culture, where experimentation and learning from mistakes are encouraged. It's through this process of continuous improvement that Zepto strives to achieve excellence.
Communication and Learning: Open and efficient communication is vital in both sailing and business. "Time-to-understanding is critically important," Trevor points out. Just as sailors need to communicate constantly to coordinate their actions, teams at Zepto prioritise clear and consistent communication to ensure everyone is on the same page. Furthermore, the practice of retroactively discussing what went well, what went wrong, and what was observed is crucial for learning and growth, both on the water and in the office.
Trevor's experience at the F15 National Championships provides valuable insights into the qualities that drive success, both in sailing and in business. His dedication to teamwork, adaptability, and continuous improvement reflects the core values that underpin Zepto's culture and contribute to its ongoing success in the payments industry.