Moonshot 2026: ‘Your people are your products’

Damilola Olokesusi, CEO of Shuttlers, and Douglas Kendyson, CEO of Selar, recently shared their expertise on financial management, hiring practices, automation, and networking as essential pillars for scaling a business.

The pair appeared during the “Building Disciplined Businesses That Win” session at the Moonshot 2026: Courage & Conviction Startup Stage, where they outlined strategies for entrepreneurs aiming to create sustainable, long-term growth.

Regarding the hurdles of startup expansion, Olokesusi emphasized the necessity of frequently auditing business operations to ensure they remain aligned with evolving customer needs and future-proof the organization.

She pointed to automation as a vital component, noting that companies must implement robust systems to guarantee that the services promised to clients are consistently delivered.

“We have to verify and ensure that things we promised our customers are what they get. E.g having them commute in an AC bus. That’s what we have done to scale our businesses,” she said.

On the topic of financial discipline, Olokesusi argued that founders must first define their long-term vision before establishing their approach to re

“What type of company are you trying to build before you determine if you are being financially disciplined or you are just saving money,” she said.

Describing the long-term goals for her company, she added, “We are trying to be the Dangote of transport.”

She maintained that financial strategy should be a direct reflection of a company’s ultimate ambitions and the founder’s commitment to the business’s longevity.

Kendyson suggested that entrepreneurs should prioritize maximizing the value of their professional roles and relationships, especially when operating with limited re

He advised aspiring founders to view their time working for other organizations as an opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and networks to eventually launch their own ventures.

“The best you can do is work as a startup and leverage relationships and you will be very surprised how much that can help you,” he said.

Kendyson also underscored the value of diverse career experiences, noting that the knowledge and connections he gathered along his professional journey provided the leverage needed to build Selar.

Olokesusi further contended that financial discipline must be modeled by the founder before it can be successfully integrated into the company’s culture.

“Your company is a reflection of you as a founder. You need to embody the core value of financial discipline before you can see it in the company,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of intentional recruitment, urging founders to be highly selective about the talent they bring into their teams.

“People you hire, be particular about that. Get the right people on board. Your people are your products. Be careful of the people you get,” she said.

Olokesusi warned founders against fostering a workplace culture that relies on staff members constantly performing heroic efforts to make up for inadequate systems.

She noted that while talented employees are essential for overcoming obstacles, entrepreneurs must prioritize building structures that support sustainable growth rather than depending on individual heroics.