{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"NWA Founders","title":"#40 - Joe Ehrhardt (Teslar Software)","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":5890,"description":"What does it look like to build a software company in a highly regulated industry while remaining innovative?In this episode, Joe Ehrhardt, founder and CEO of Teslar Software, shares the story behind building one of the fastest-growing fintech companies serving community banks across the country. From early lessons in leadership and entrepreneurship to navigating the realities of scaling a software business, Joe offers a grounded look at what it takes to build a company that lasts.SummaryJoe walks through the early days of Teslar Software, including how the company identified a major operational problem inside community banking and created technology that helps banks automate workflows, improve efficiency, and better serve customers. Rather than chasing trends, Teslar focused on solving practical problems for real people—something that ultimately became a competitive advantage as the company scaled. The conversation also highlights the importance of listening closely to customers and building products alongside them instead of for them.Beyond software and banking, this episode dives into leadership, company culture, and the challenge of growing a business without losing the mission that made it successful in the first place. Joe shares insights on hiring the right people, creating alignment inside a growing team, and why humility and consistency matter more than flashy leadership styles. For founders in Northwest Arkansas and beyond, there’s a refreshing honesty to the way he talks about growth—not as a straight line, but as a long process of learning, adapting, and staying committed.One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is Joe’s perspective on storytelling as a founder. As companies mature, founders often realize their role shifts from simply building products to communicating vision, culture, and purpose. Joe explains why telling the story behind the business matters—not just for customers, but for employees, future hires, partners, and the...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/cZx0QH4NDDsfTzCuRyOPmG2L5qXGaYahrg-ELcKxcwc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jMzYw/MDBiMGUzNThjNjIy/ZjFmY2UxMzgyYTk3/MjdhYS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}