Shae O. Omonijo, founder of the thought-leadership platform Analog Social and a current Ph.D. candidate at Harvard, is challenging the way solo founders approach networking and negotiations in her newly launched Harvard Mindset Series.
In a viral Instagram video posted to her account (@iamshaeo), Omonijo delivers a bold message:
“If you enter into any scenario—networking, negotiations, etc.—with a beggar’s mindset, you already lost.”
The video, the latest instalment of her Harvard Mindset Series, shares insights gained from her year embedded within Harvard’s Innovation Labs and surrounded by Harvard Business School (HBS) graduates. Her biggest takeaway? Success begins with the belief that you are already valuable.
“I have so much value to give. I have so much to offer that is flowing out of me,” Omonijo explains in the video. “Leave people with that abundance… like, I feel fuller now that I’ve met Shay.”
The post and video have resonated deeply with founders and professionals navigating the pressures of fundraising, building relationships, and proving themselves in crowded industries.
Omonijo encourages entrepreneurs to lead with confidence, not desperation—a mentality she says she learned directly from her HBS peers.
From Researcher to Founder
Omonijo, a multi-hyphenate academic and entrepreneur, is no stranger to balancing ambition with intellect. While pursuing her doctorate at Harvard, she founded Analog Social, a platform that connects intellectuals, thinkers, and solo founders across industries to foster deeper dialogue, strategic collaboration, and long-term vision.
Her content often bridges the gap between elite academia and real-world entrepreneurial grit, offering a grounded but aspirational lens for young professionals—especially women and people of color—breaking into elite business circles.
No ‘Beggar Energy’: A Call to Reframe Founders’ Thinking
Omonijo’s viral message counters what she refers to as the “beggar energy” mindset—a psychological trap that leaves entrepreneurs overly dependent on external validation, funding, or connections.
Instead, she promotes what she calls the “abundance mindset,” a strategy rooted in self-worth and authenticity.
“It’s not just what you can do,” she says, “but how people feel when they’ve interacted with you. That’s your value.”
This approach reframes networking from transactional to transformational, prioritizing relationship-building, clarity of purpose, and mutual value over status or approval.
Leading the Next Generation of Visionaries
With the Harvard Mindset Series, Omonijo is offering more than business advice—she’s crafting a blueprint for resilient, thoughtful leadership in an age where startup culture often glorifies hustle over substance.
By centering emotional intelligence, purpose, and confidence, Omonijo continues to empower a rising generation of solo founders and creatives who are no longer content with chasing opportunity—they’re learning to attract it.
The full video and future installments of the series are available on Instagram at @iamshaeo and @analog_social.
