Outsider Inc.
Podcast Description
Outsider Inc. is dedicated to visionary leaders breaking the mold of tech entrepreneurship. Hosted by Ian Hathaway—co-author of The Startup Community Way: Evolving an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and co-founder of seed-stage venture capital firm FOVC—each episode delivers exclusive interviews and insider insights from exceptional founders building generation-defining companies. Join us for an in-depth exploration into the real-life stories of entrepreneurs from unexpected places and backgrounds who overcame early setbacks, built resilient teams without following the traditional Silicon Valley playbook, and created thriving ecosystems in overlooked markets. Whether you’re a first-time founder, seasoned innovator, or investor, you’ll gain actionable strategies, unconventional wisdom, and practical takeaways to help you navigate your entrepreneurial journey—no matter where you come from. Join our community today by subscribing on your favorite podcast app and dive even deeper on our newsletter at outsiderinc.substack.com.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers around themes of entrepreneurship, resilience, and community impact, featuring guests from diverse backgrounds who have built successful companies outside traditional tech hubs. Episodes include discussions on building businesses amid economic challenges, fostering local talent, and creating supportive ecosystems, such as the inaugural episode with Scott Dorsey discussing the founding of ExactTarget and its implications for the Indianapolis tech landscape.
Outsider Inc. is dedicated to visionary leaders breaking the mold of tech entrepreneurship. Hosted by Ian Hathaway—co-author of The Startup Community Way: Evolving an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and co-founder of seed-stage venture capital firm FOVC—each episode delivers exclusive interviews and insider insights from exceptional founders building generation-defining companies. Join us for an in-depth exploration into the real-life stories of entrepreneurs from unexpected places and backgrounds who overcame early setbacks, built resilient teams without following the traditional Silicon Valley playbook, and created thriving ecosystems in overlooked markets. Whether you’re a first-time founder, seasoned innovator, or investor, you’ll gain actionable strategies, unconventional wisdom, and practical takeaways to help you navigate your entrepreneurial journey—no matter where you come from. Join our community today by subscribing on your favorite podcast app and dive even deeper on our newsletter at outsiderinc.substack.com.
In this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway speaks with Shegun Otulana, co-founder and CEO of TheraNest and Harmony Venture Labs. Shegun shares his journey from arriving in Alabama from Lagos, Nigeria at 18, to bootstrapping his first consulting firm, and eventually scaling TheraNest into a national leader in mental health software. The conversation covers his unique approach to pricing, building a remote team, and the importance of eagerness and passion in serving customers. Shegun also discusses his transition from the CEO role, the creation of Harmony Venture Labs to support the next generation of entrepreneurs in Birmingham, and the influence of his faith and family in his career. Throughout, Shegun emphasizes the impact of creating intentionally and staying aligned with one’s values.
Show Notes:
(05:09) Shegun’s Transition to the US and Early Impressions
(08:28) Founding Zertis Technologies and the Entrepreneurial Drive
(11:26) Identifying the Right Problem and Market
(13:18) Building TheraNest and the Mental Health Focus
(18:45) Differentiation and Pricing Strategy
(21:59) Remote Work and Team Building
(26:06) The Challenges and Benefits of Being a One-Man Band
(29:50) The Founder Mentality: Building a Culture of High Performance
(33:30) Scaling Up: From TheraNest to Therapy Brands
(40:33) Transitioning Out: From CEO to Board Member
(43:26) Harmony Venture Labs: Building a System for Startups
(46:55) The Importance of Family and Partnership
(50:43) Faith and Leadership: Guiding Principles
(53:14) Beyond the Bio with Shegun Otulana
✅ Host: Ian Hathway – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, FOVC
✅ Guest: Shegun Otulana, Founder & CEO, TheraNest & Harmony Venture Labs
Produced by Spellbinder Media. Executive Produced by Bridge Five Ventures. Copyright ©️2025, Bridge Five Ventures, LLC, All rights reserved.
Listen & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or at outsiderinc.substack.com.
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