Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremiah Olaniyan.
Hi Jeremiah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Nigeria and raised in a small town outside of Raleigh, NC. I always wanted to live in a big city that didn’t feel like a ‘big city’ and of course, Austin fit the bill perfectly. The reasons that brought me here in the summer of 2019 are pretty common – start a new chapter, the amazing people, and all the opportunities this city has to offer.
Everything was groovy until the world screeched to a pandemic-induced halt in 2020. Even before the shutdowns, I struggled with bouts of depression, questioning my self-worth, and my relationships with the people around me. It was a pretty dark and lonely time. For better or for worse, the shutdown gave me time and space to dwell on these issues. It wasn’t long before I knew I needed help.
Navigating through the endless lists of counselor options was a daunting task. It felt like speed dating to find whom to let in on my deepest traumas. After a few awkward first sessions, I finally found a therapist that I clicked with. I’m still with him today and he’s helped me immeasurably.
So all good, right? Not quite. Since all our sessions were virtual, I ran into a big problem that I never considered. I live in a house with two roommates and very thin walls. Finding a safe, private space to talk with my therapist became a huge challenge. I took calls inside my car, parks, or my job’s office space that was empty due to COVID. That actually worked pretty well until my CTO walked in on me during a session. I still cringe at the memory.
After talking to many other people who have the same issue, I decided to do something about it. One thing led to another and Capsoul was born. If you’re in virtual therapy and living with roommates, a partner, or family, we’re here to make space for you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
By no means was it easy. My partner and I are learning each day and we’re pretty much building the plane as we’re flying it. The initial challenge was creating our site from scratch. After using some not-so-great WordPress templates, we decided it was best to build our own. Then came the challenge of finding spaces that were willing to partner with us. Now we’re figuring out how to market Capsoul on a very thin budget. But overall, I wouldn’t want it any other way. The more challenges we overcome, the more we grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My day job is in tech sales. It’s easy to think of the pushy car salesman whenever you hear “I’m in sales” (I know I did), but that’s not the case at all. Sales, especially complex sales, is really about helping people solve their problems. It’s not about how slick you can talk, it’s about how well you can listen and empathize with your customer. That’s what I love about it.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
We wouldn’t have gotten this far without the help of some amazing Austinites who’ve partnered with us to provide space for those who need it. The pictures below are of the spaces that are currently on our site – Fibercove, Creatscape, and Common Desk (3 locations). I highly recommend checking them out and supporting the amazing people who work there!
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@capsoul.com
- Website: Capsoul.space
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_capsoul_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapsoulSpace/
Image Credits
Fibercove – Creatscape – Common Desk
