→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart
→ Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners

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.

Summary

Joe 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 broader community.

Highlights

00:00 Working with Mark Cuban during PPP Forgiveness

7:30 How to prepare for luck as a business owner

18:00 College project turned company
30:00 Why is innovation important for Teslar?
44:00 Raising capital for expansion
60:00 A deeper look at PPP Forgiveness
1:21:30 A.I. Integration

Key Takeaways

1. The best businesses often solve “unsexy” problems exceptionally well - Teslar Software didn’t grow by chasing hype. It grew by improving operational pain points inside community banks. For younger founders, this is a reminder that huge opportunities often exist in overlooked industries. For seasoned founders, it reinforces the value of staying focused on customer problems instead of constantly pivoting toward trends.

2. Company culture becomes more important as you scale - In the early days, culture happens naturally. As teams grow, culture has to become intentional. Joe’s approach highlights the importance of hiring people who align with the mission, communicate clearly, and care deeply about serving others well.

3. Founders eventually become storytellers - At some point, building the company isn’t enough—you also have to explain why it matters. Whether you’re raising capital, recruiting talent, or building customer trust, your ability to tell the story behind the business becomes a leadership skill of its own.

For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com

NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer.