The Bellwether, October 1, 2026

BELLWETHER OCTOBER 2026 THE ISSUE 17

NATHANIEL HOLZMANN

RICH GUZZI TURN LIVE FEEDBACK INTO MOMENTUM. CATHERINE KONTOS BUILD PROFITABLE, SUSTAINABLE WELLNESS RETREATS.

ADAM COX PROFIT THROUGH RADICAL, PURPOSEFUL GENEROSITY.

ABOUT THE TEAM The Bellwether Magazine began as a humble passion project by a group of visionary entrepreneurs with a shared goal—to create a platform that celebrates the journey of entrepreneurship, from the thrill of starting a venture to the triumphs of scaling and beyond. Like you, we know the exhilarating highs and daunting challenges of forging one's path in the business world. It was this shared experience that drove us to build a community of like-minded individuals, pooling together our collective wisdom to inspire and support each other on our entrepreneurial quests.

Tanya Brockett | Managing Editor

Lenora Edwards | Special Contributor

Michael Garrison | Executive Editor

Lisa E. Kirkwood | Contributing Writer

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4 REAL ESTATE ROADMAP

TECH BYTES 32 Dr. Kai Simmons breaks down the top ten technology trends reshaping modern business, from autonomous agentic AI and small language models to edge computing. WHATS THE WORD 34 Turn live stage performance into actionable business momentum by embracing instant feedback, while mastering subconscious self-talk to build high-stakes trust and enterprise influence. FEATURED FORUM 24 Tech founder Nathaniel Holzmann proves that true success isn't about endless corporate grinding, but using smart systems to buy back time and prioritize family.

Buyers abandon massive suburban mortgages to build equity through multi- family properties, while smart investors master local millage rates to protect their long-term profits. FOODIE FORUM 10 Busy entrepreneurs protect their sharpest creative hours by swapping heavy morning meals for strategic brain-food

snacks, saving a balanced breakfast for ten o'clock..

HEALTH HACKS FOR HAPPINESS

MONEY WITH MORALS Clinical hypnotherapist Adam Cox proves that true wealth isn't about chasing arbitrary financial metrics, but building sustainable businesses through radical generosity and purposeful contribution. Wellness leaders prevent burnout by building financially sustainable retreat spaces, while busy professionals protect their focus and energy through strategic outdoor walking meetings. 17 High-speed executives escape corporate burnout by embracing the power of the LIFESTYLE pause, prioritizing authentic human connections, and building businesses rooted in true intentional living. 20

AUTHOR ADVANTAGE 42

Discover a curated bookshelf designed to help entrepreneurs master AI search optimization, captivate live audiences, secure financial independence, and navigate profound personal reinvention. 46 Honor Native American Heritage Month by exploring the profound history, enduring military bravery, and rich cultural legacy of indigenous communities across the United States. NOT FORGOTTEN

SUBMISSIONS

Want to be featured? Share your story, insights, or expertise with The Bellwether community. Submissions now open.

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ROAD MAP REAL ESTATE

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WHY MULTI- FAMILY HOUSING BEATS THE SUBURBAN DREAM 123-456-7890 hello@reallygreatsite.com Page 5

By Lenora Edwards

In an industry increasingly dominated by spreadsheet metrics and rapid turnover, real estate investor David Corsini offers a grounded counterpoint: business must return to human connection. Speaking on The Entrepreneurs Forum podcast with host Lenora Edwards, Corsini outlined a philosophy that bridges analytical strategy with personal intuition, arguing that modern real estate has lost touch with the very people it serves. Born in Florence, Italy, and raised partly in the United States, Corsini spent his formative years moving between two distinct cultural frameworks. Europe taught him to appreciate walkable plazas, close-knit public spaces and relational business practices. America taught him structured financial modeling and rapid commercial growth. By combining both worlds, Corsini developed a balanced approach to property investment—one that respects profit margins without sacrificing ethical integrity or personal relationships. According to Corsini, consumer culture pushes young buyers toward an unrealistic ideal: purchasing an oversized single-family house in suburban subdivisions. In high-demand markets throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, developers regularly construct 4,000- square-foot homes on small parcels of land. While buyers often equate square footage with success, Corsini notes that massive residential footprints frequently lead to increased financial strain and personal isolation. Reflecting on insights from veteran investor Charlie Munger, Corsini pointed out that personal satisfaction often drops when a residential property exceeds 2,400 square feet. Oversized houses bring higher property taxes, elevated utility costs and continuous maintenance duties. Furthermore, expansive floor plans can physically separate family members within their own living space, reducing daily personal interaction. Instead of bringing families together, overly large homes can create distance. To build genuine financial stability, Corsini advises first-time buyers to rethink their initial purchase strategy. Rather than taking on a heavy mortgage for a single-family dream house, prospective buyers should consider multi-family properties. When Corsini bought his first property, he chose a four-unit building. By residing in one apartment and renting out the remaining three, his tenants covered the mortgage payment and taxes. The arrangement allowed him to live affordably while building property equity.

Buying a multi-family property offers built-in financial protection. If an owner experiences an unexpected job loss or business setback, rental payments from tenants cushion the financial impact. While some buyers hesitate over landlord responsibilities, managing a multi-unit property carries far less financial risk than carrying a massive single-family mortgage with a single income stream. Living below your means remains the foundational requirement for long- term wealth accumulation. Beyond financial strategy, Corsini advocates for changes in community design. European towns centered around the public square encourage pedestrian movement, face-to-face conversation and local commerce. In contrast, modern suburban developments often rely heavily on automobiles, isolating residents behind garage doors. Prioritizing walkable neighborhoods and shared public spaces recreates the social fabric necessary for healthy communities. Fatherhood further solidified Corsini’s commitment to principled business practices. As a single father to a 4-year-old son, he frequently brings his child to job sites and construction projects. Drawing inspiration from martial artist Bruce Lee’s advice to teach children what you were never taught, Corsini uses real-world projects to demonstrate practical business mechanics and personal work ethic. Doing business ethically also extends to property renovation. While some property flippers apply cosmetic fixes over structural flaws to maximize short-term profit, Corsini insists on proper repairs. Doing the work correctly protects buyers from unexpected expenses years later. Doing business with integrity creates lasting trust, reliable referrals and a clean professional reputation. Bringing soul back to real estate ultimately means valuing relationships over single transactions, choosing financial prudence over status symbols, and creating spaces that connect people. To connect with David Corsini or follow his work in real estate and community building, reach out across his primary channels: Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/the.david.corsini/ LinkedIn: https:/ www.linkedin.com/in/david-corsini- 5b8b5340/ Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/david.corsini.5 I am a bridge between worlds. I change environments by my mere presence. I am bringing soul back to real estate.

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"Remember to always value the connection and relationships." - David Corsini -

This article was written by the Bellwether editorial team in conversation with Lenora Edwards — author of Food, Feelings & Freedom, two-time TEDx speaker, and founder of the B.E.F.R.E.E. Method. Learn more about her work in identity-based transformation at https://driventobebetter.com/

Real Estate Investment Strategies for True Wealth & Purpose | Entrepreneurs Forum Podcast

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THE QUIET PROFIT KILLER INVESTORS SHOULD WATCH

Sandra Kirkland is a real estate educator and advocate, helping buyers, sellers, and investors avoid costly mistakes. After experiencing deception firsthand, she dedicated herself to exposing unethical practices in real estate.

Get Expert Advice Here

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Not always.

You can negotiate the purchase price, improve the property, raise rents, and still watch your profit shrink because of one number most investors barely notice: the millage rate. A millage rate is the rate local governments use to calculate property taxes. One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value. So, if your property has a taxable value of $300,000 and the total millage rate is 20 mills, your estimated property tax is $6,000 per year.

A sale can trigger a reassessment in some areas, and the taxable value may rise. That means your future tax bill could be much higher than the one shown during the purchase. Before you buy, research the current taxable value, millage rate, reassessment rules, and possible exemptions. Then run your numbers using a higher tax estimate—not the best-case scenario. Already own the property? Review your assessment every year. If the value looks inflated, learn the appeal process. Also check for legal exemptions, credits, or classifications that could reduce your tax burden.

That is not pocket change.

For investors and business owners, property taxes directly affect cash flow, net operating income, and your overall return. If taxes increase faster than rents, your profit margin gets squeezed. On a thin- margin deal, that increase can turn a “good investment” into an expensive lesson. Here is where people get caught: they look at the seller’s current tax bill and assume theirs will be similar.

You may not be able to eliminate property taxes, but you can stop letting them surprise you.

The smartest investors do not just ask, “Can I afford to buy this property?”

They ask, “Can this property still make money after the tax bill shows up?”

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A Smarter Morning Routine for Busy Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs, the first few hours of the day can be some of the most valuable.

The 10 A.M. Breakfast

Your phone hasn’t exploded yet. Meetings haven’t started. Clients aren’t asking questions. And your brain may be sitting in that rare sweet spot where ideas come faster and distractions haven’t taken over.

So why interrupt it with a big breakfast?

For some entrepreneurs, delaying breakfast until around 10 A.M. can create a simple morning rhythm: wake up, hydrate, create, then eat.

This isn’t about declaring breakfast bad. It’s about paying attention to when you personally do your best thinking.

A large morning meal can sometimes leave people feeling more interested in the couch than the conference room. Instead, consider using your early hours for your highest-value creative work—writing, brainstorming, strategy, planning, or solving the problem that kept you awake last night. If you need a little fuel before your full breakfast, think brain-food snack, not breakfast buffet. Try a handful of walnuts for healthy fats. Grab some blueberries for an easy, nutrient-packed bite. A small serving of Greek yogurt can provide protein without feeling like a major meal. Pumpkin seeds are portable, crunchy, and easy to keep at your desk. And yes, even a small square of high-cacao dark chocolate can make the morning feel a little more civilized.

The goal isn’t fasting for the sake of fasting. It’s protecting your best mental hours.

As an entrepreneur, your most important morning meal may not be breakfast.

It may be the first great idea of the day.

Chef Zest is a culinary expert and nutrition strategist specializing in high-performance meals for busy professionals. With 30 years of experience, he helps entrepreneurs fuel success through smarter eating.

Pair one of those with water, unsweetened tea, or your morning coffee, and get to work.

More tips from Chef Zest

Then, around 10 A.M., step away and have a balanced breakfast with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and whole-food carbohydrates. Think eggs and avocado, Greek yogurt with berries and nuts, or oatmeal topped with seeds and fruit.

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Building Wellness From Within Turning Personal Recovery Into Sustainable Retreat Spaces

By Lenora Edwards

When Catherine Kontos sat down with me on The Entrepreneurs Forum, her presence carried a quiet, undeniable strength. As a business leader who had acquired and sold more than 100 properties and commercial ventures throughout her career, Kontos was no stranger to complex negotiations and high-stakes operations. But her true turning point arrived when she faced stage three breast cancer. Surviving that intense health crisis altered her life direction completely, forcing a complete re-evaluation of what personal health, balance and recovery really mean. Kontos took her extensive background in property management and combined it with a new personal mission: creating spaces where individuals could heal, reset and rebuild. She converted a boutique inn into a sold-out retreat center dedicated to addiction recovery and mental health support. Through that experience, Kontos realized that real health requires structural support. It is not enough to offer scenic mountain views and quiet surroundings. True healing requires careful operational design, psychological safety and sustainable financial health for the facilitators who lead these high-touch events. In the wellness travel industry, practitioner burnout has become a widespread issue. Too many talented leaders enter the field with immense compassion but very little operational preparation. They undercharge for their services, sign poorly negotiated venue agreements and quickly exhaust their financial and emotional reserves. During our interview, Kontos laid out essential health hacks for event leaders looking to build sustainable businesses without sacrificing their own physical and mental well-being. First, financial stability is foundational to personal health. Kontos stresses that pricing an event correctly is essential to preventing host burnout. When facilitators undercharge out of fear or self- doubt, they end up taking on personal debt or working hundreds

of hours for negligible returns. A standard 15-person wellness retreat charging $4,000 to $5,000 per ticket should yield an initial net profit between $10,000 and $15,000. Establishing realistic financial boundaries allows leaders to show up fully present for their guests rather than worrying about covering venue deposits out of pocket. Second, smart contract negotiations protect your bottom line and your peace of mind. Kontos regularly saves her clients $25,000 to $50,000 per event simply by reviewing property agreements line by line. Hidden facility fees, rigid cancellation clauses and poorly structured catering plans can wipe out event profits before guests even arrive on site. By learning facility management fundamentals or working with a skilled guide, event hosts eliminate unnecessary financial anxiety and secure terms that support their long-term vision. Third, protecting group culture is vital for emotional safety. Kontos recommends screening every prospective attendee through detailed applications and short discovery calls before confirming bookings. A single disruptive individual can ruin the restorative atmosphere for an entire group. Vetting guests ensures that everyone on site shares common goals, respects community boundaries and contributes positively to the environment. For those starting with zero experience, Kontos advises against guessing. Trying to manage facility agreements and event logistics through trial and error often leads to devastating $30,000 mistakes. Instead, aspiring hosts should enroll in facilitator certification programs or volunteer alongside experienced operators to learn practical management firsthand. Health and happiness are not accidental outcomes. They are the direct result of intentional choices, clear boundaries and disciplined execution. By bridging hospitality management with

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"The customer experience dictates long-term success.” | Catherine Kontos |

personal care, Catherine Kontos has provided a clear roadmap for wellness leaders everywhere.

To connect with Catherine Kontos and explore her resources for event facilitators and property owners, visit Retreat Boss at https://retreatboss.com/ or explore her venue listing platform at https://www.retreatmatch.com/. You can follow her updates across social media on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @retreat_boss, or read the latest industry insights in Retreat Boss Magazine.

Start a Profitable Retreat Business: Pricing & Venue Guide | Entrepreneurs Forum

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" It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. " — Mahatma Gandhi Page 15

As the season changes and cooler days return, so does an overlooked advantage for entrepreneurs: the outdoors. Instead of spending every meeting under fluorescent lights or behind a screen, take the conversation outside. A walking meeting can add movement to your day, create space for clearer thinking, and offer a refreshing change of pace. The goal is not simply to manage your time—it is to protect your energy. Use the cooler season to rethink your routine. Take a call while walking. Hold a strategy session on a terrace. Step outside between meetings to reset. High performance requires more than a full calendar. It requires the energy to show up fully for what is on it. This fall, let the changing season become your reminder: sometimes the best way to move business forward is to get yourself moving too.

Hanz Müller is a fitness and motivation coach specializing in helping entrepreneurs integrate physical activity into their busy lives to boost productivity and well-being. With a background in physical education and motivational psychology, Hanz offers practical fitness strategies tailored to high- performance professionals.

Train with Hanz

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"Sometimes on your way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one." — Melissa Merriwether

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Redefining Entrepreneurial Lifestyle and Success The Human Connection

By Lenora Edwards

That realization birthed what she calls the power of the pause . It is a daily practice that every entrepreneur needs to integrate into their routine . Stepping back from the constant grind is not a sign of surrender or weakness . It is a vital strategy for self - preservation and personal clarity . When you step out of relentless pressure and allow yourself to get quiet , you create the mental space needed to receive new opportunities , fresh ideas and restored health .

Sitting across from Melissa Merriwether during our recent interview , I was immediately struck by her vibrant energy . As the host of the Entrepreneurs Forum podcast , I speak with founders , executives and business owners every single week . Many of them arrive with rigid agendas , laser - focused on quarterly metrics , growth charts and aggressive expansion plans . But Melissa brought something entirely different to the table : an overwhelming sense of presence , genuine warmth and personal balance . In a world that constantly glorifies non - stop work , Melissa offers a masterclass in living and leading with intention . Her professional journey across 25 years of marketing leadership — culminating in her recent acquisition of the Des Moines Whiskey Festival — is impressive on paper . Yet what truly sets her story apart for our Lifestyle readers is her commitment to the personal philosophy behind her success . She reminds us that true achievement is not about running until your physical battery dies . It is about creating a life where your purpose meets your passion without burning out in the process .

Connecting Purpose and Passion

As we talked , it became clear that Melissa views every interaction through a deeply human lens . Long before she owned a marketing firm or acquired a statewide festival , she spent her time sitting down for simple , caffeinated conversations with people across her community . She was not trying to sell a product or pitch a service . She was listening to learn . This mindset is as much a lifestyle choice as it is a business approach . By choosing to lead with empathy and generosity , Melissa built a career that feels deeply fulfilling rather than exhausting . When she took over the Des Moines Whiskey Festival in a fast 55 - day sprint , she did not approach it as a mere commercial asset . She saw it as a vibrant community gathering to highlight local musicians , support Iowa distillers and bring people together for memorable shared experiences . That shift in perspective — moving away from cold transactions toward authentic community building — is where personal lifestyle and professional goals come into alignment . When you build a life centered on real relationships , your daily work stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a natural extension of your personal values .

Learning to Pause in a High - Speed World

During our conversation , Melissa shared a candid look into her past that resonated deeply with me . Like so many ambitious leaders , she spent years operating in constant high gear . She was staying up until 3 a . m . handling tactical tasks , managing dozens of accounts , building organizations from scratch and pushing her physical boundaries . She was living by an old corporate playbook that insisted women had to work 30 hours a day to prove their worth . Then came the turning point . Her health began signaling alarms that she could no longer ignore . She realized that in her relentless climb up the corporate ladder , she was missing precious moments with her daughters and running headlong toward physical collapse .

Finding a Better Path

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation was a guiding quote that Melissa shared : " Sometimes on your way to a dream , you get lost and find a better one ."

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In the business world , we are taught to set rigid goals and push through walls to achieve them at all costs . But real life requires adaptability . True lifestyle flexibility means having the courage to recognize when an old habit or goal no longer serves your health , your family or your spirit . It means giving yourself permission to shift directions when a better path presents itself . Melissa ’ s evolution from high - stress executive to grounded entrepreneur and festival owner proves that you do not have to sacrifice your health to build something extraordinary . By embracing the power of the pause , honoring real human connection and stepping away from non - stop hustle , she has crafted a life of balance , impact and genuine joy . For every founder , executive and leader listening , her story offers a clear lesson : your business should serve your life , never the other way around .

How to Connect with Melissa Merriwether

For readers looking to explore human - centered marketing , community - building strategies , or the upcoming Des Moines Whiskey Festival , Melissa welcomes new connections and conversation : LinkedIn : Connect with Melissa Merrifield Direct Scheduling : Book a Consultation via Calendly Full Podcast Episode : Watch Melissa ’ s full feature interview with Lenora Edwards on the Entrepreneurs Forum YouTube channel : Community - Driven Marketing Strategy

Community-Driven Marketing Strategy: Build Human Brands | Entrpreneurs Forum

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MONEY WITH MORALS

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PROFIT WITH PURPOSE

HOW ADAM COX TURNED GENEROSITY INTO A CATEGORY OF ONE

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By Lenora Edwards

When running a business, the standard ledger only measures financial return. It tracks revenue, profit margins and net worth. Yet many entrepreneurs discover that maximizing numbers alone fails to yield genuine fulfillment. On a recent episode of The Entrepreneurs Forum, clinical hypnotherapist Adam Cox shared how shifting his focus from pure financial gain to purposeful contribution transformed both his life and his business model. In his 20s, Adam chased traditional metrics of success. Having struggled with severe low self- worth and social anxiety as a teenager, he equated money with personal value. At age 23, he established a public relations agency in London, reinvesting his profits into real estate. He acquired status, financial security and material wealth. Yet by age 35, he realized something critical was missing. He was competent and financially successful, but he lacked passion and purpose. A study of the Japanese framework Ikigai—the intersection of skill, compensation, societal need and passion—forced an honest evaluation. Adam recognized he could no longer pretend to feel satisfied. He returned to his lifelong interest in the human mind, enrolling in a three-year postgraduate course at the London College of Clinical Hypnotherapy. To build deep competence, Adam set up his clinic at Number Two Harley Street, a premier address for medical excellence in London. Applying the principle that "nobody learns to swim by reading a book," he logged thousands of clinical hours by offering sessions to public figures in exchange for testimonials. When the global pandemic forced face-to-face clinic visits to pause, Adam adapted by launching a daily podcast titled The Hypnotist . Rather than creating standard interview content, he made a radical choice: he published actual, unscripted hypnotherapy sessions for free, stripping out the client's audio to protect privacy.

While private clients paid hundreds of dollars for custom sessions, anyone with an internet connection could access those same recordings at zero cost. Adam operated on a simple moral premise: if a single recording helped someone he would never meet, the effort was a success. That decision unlocked an unexpected commercial truth. By giving away his core work, Adam created a global ripple effect. Listeners around the world reported overcoming insomnia, breaking destructive habits and building self-confidence. To date, the podcast has accumulated over 2,000 episodes and more than 20 million downloads. Crucially, this ethical distribution model did not undermine his business. Instead, it served as a powerful discovery mechanism. Listeners who experienced results from the free recordings naturally sought out private sessions, digital courses and advanced programs. Giving away value built trust faster than any paid advertisement ever could. Adam calls this dynamic "karmic marketing"— the idea that contributing more value than you extract creates sustainable, long-term success. In our conversation, Adam reflected on how his definition of wealth has evolved. In his 20s, success meant sports cars and external validation. Today, success means freedom and contribution. True wealth lies in optionality—the choice to spend your time doing meaningful work without external obligation. For leaders and business owners evaluating their own direction, Adam’s trajectory offers a clear lesson. Financial sustainability and moral integrity are not mutually exclusive. When you build a business around solving real problems and distributing genuine value, profit becomes a natural byproduct of purpose. To learn more about clinical hypnotherapy, listen to episodes of The Hypnotist, or explore private session availability, visit Adam's official website at adamcox.co.uk/thehypnotist.html. You can also follow Adam directly on Instagram for daily insights and updates at @adamcoxofficial.

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Clinical Hypnotherapy Success: Adam Cox's 20M Podcast Story | Entrepreneurs Forum

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THE BELLWETHER FEATURES...

Architecture of Autonomy How Nathaniel Holzmann Built a Business and a Life That Work Together

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By Dr. h.c. Lisa E. Kirkwood

The Power of Parenting and Business Many people believe that building a successful company means giving up your personal life. They think you must work non- stop and make endless sacrifices. Nathaniel Holzmann proves that this belief is simply wrong. As the leader of several growing technology companies—including Low Code Road, Finish Line Media, Datawise, Equipath, and 360Centric—and a father to seven children, Nathaniel follows a very different rule. He believes that the skills you need to manage a business and the skills you need to raise a family are exactly the same. Nathaniel does not see work and family as two competing forces. Instead, he sees them as two sides of the same coin. This practical mindset changes how we think about modern leadership. "The biggest lesson I've learned is that running a family and running a business are very, very similar," Nathaniel says with a smile. "The only difference is you can't fire your kids." Behind this funny line is a powerful truth. Whether you are leading a team of software experts or guiding seven children through a busy school night, real leadership comes down to clear communication, active listening, patience, and setting a

good example. Simple habits like using timed focus periods which help kids finish homework without getting overwhelmed work just as well when adults are reviewing complex business plans. For Nathaniel, technology is never just about lines of code on a screen. It is a tool designed by humans to solve everyday problems and buy back personal freedom. He refuses to view business as just a game of numbers. To him, business is always about people. By building his companies to protect his family time, Nathaniel is not just creating software—he is designing a life of true freedom. Early Life and a Global View To understand how Nathaniel works today, it helps to look at where he came from. He did not follow the usual path of a tech founder. He did not start in a Silicon Valley garage or go to an Ivy League computer science school. Instead, his view of the world was shaped by an international childhood. He was raised in a military family, and his parents later worked as missionaries in Austria and Germany. Growing up in different cultures taught him early on how to adapt and connect with all kinds of people.

"My background isn't the typical tech founder story, and that's exactly what influences how I solve problems differently," Nathaniel explains. "I was shaped by an international upbringing... so I bring a global perspective to technology challenges." Living in Europe during times of economic change gave him a real-world lesson in financial risk. In Vienna, he saw currency values change quickly before Europe adopted the euro. That experience made him careful with money and gave him a deep respect for global markets. Today, it drives his promise to always pay international team members fairly, adjusting their pay so inflation does not hurt their families. After earning a degree in international business, Nathaniel did not go straight into a computer lab. He worked in retail sales first. Talking directly with customers every day gave him a strong understanding of how real people buy things and solve problems. In 2004, he made a major shift into the tech world by taking a customer support job at a software company. Sitting on the front lines, he helped frustrated users fix broken software. This gave him a deep, hands-on understanding of what users actually need. He quickly rose through the ranks into project and operations management, working with startups, private equity firms, and government agencies. Along the way, he noticed a big problem: traditional software was often built in ways that failed the people using it. Discovering Low-Code and Building a Company During his years managing large projects, Nathaniel saw the same frustration over and over. Business leaders needed simple, quick tools to run their companies. But software engineers often built giant, complicated programs that took months or years to finish. These traditional projects frequently ran over budget and still did not do what the business needed. Building custom software from scratch was simply too slow, too rigid, and too expensive for medium-sized businesses. Then came a major turning point. Over ten years ago, Nathaniel discovered low-code development platforms. These platforms allow people to build custom software using visual drag-and-drop tools rather than writing thousands of lines of complex code from scratch. Nathaniel realized this could change everything for business software, just like visual website builders made web design easy for everyone.

In 2014, Nathaniel and his wife, Bridget, started their own company. It began as a small business managed by Bridget. But as more and more clients asked for help, Nathaniel left his corporate job to join her full-time as CEO and strategist. Bridget became a leading technical expert and earned the TrackVia Certified Implementation Professional certification. Together, they built a powerful team. Their firm grew into Low Code Road, becoming a top gold partner for TrackVia and the anchor of Nathaniel's business portfolio. By focusing on growing companies that make between $1 million and $50 million in yearly revenue, Low Code Road gave mid-sized businesses access to the same powerful software tools that giant Fortune 500 companies use. Best of all, they gave clients full ownership of their software code, so clients were never trapped paying endless monthly fees to outside vendors. Overcoming Fear and Fixing Mistakes Building a business from the ground up was far from easy. In the early days, Nathaniel faced tough challenges. Many clients were slow to trust custom software companies because they had been burned by bad vendors in the past. At the same time, the personal risks were huge. Leaving a steady paycheck to run a business while supporting a family with seven children created intense pressure. During lean financial stretches, Nathaniel felt the terrifying fear of losing everything. There were moments when he almost gave up to take a regular office job. Only the strong partnership and shared courage between him and Bridget kept the dream alive. One of his biggest mental hurdles was feeling like he had to copy other people's exact formulas for success. He read popular business books like The 4-Hour Workweek , which suggested moving to low-cost foreign countries to save money. That idea made no sense for a dedicated family man raising seven children in America. Trying to force his life into someone else's mold only brought stress. The breakthrough came when he gave up trying to copy others. "I realized... I have permission to be Nathaniel," he recalls. True success came when he stopped imitating others and focused on his own unique strengths.

To handle risk and overcome fear, Nathaniel created a mental rule he calls his Growth Mindset. When faced with tough

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choices, his advice is simple: "Do it anyway." He treats business mistakes like software bugs using a process called Debugging. In computer programming, nobody panics when code has a mistake; developers just find the bug, fix it, and keep moving. Nathaniel applies that exact logic to business. Instead of freezing up out of fear, leaders should take action, find what isn't working, and fix it right away. His company lives by a clear motto: "Where we are today is not where we're going to be tomorrow. We will continuously learn and grow each day." To keep his team focused during uncertain economic times, Nathaniel uses The Skiing Analogy. He compares running a business to skiing down a mountain through a forest of trees.

To guide these companies, Nathaniel follows four strict business principles: Software as an Asset: Clients own 100% of their software code. They are never locked into endless software rent. Process First: He refuses to automate a broken business process. He fixes the process first, then builds the software. Long-Term Support: He provides steady maintenance so software stays useful for years. Industry Knowledge: Understanding a client's real-world business matters far more than just knowing computer code. This practical approach yields huge results for clients. In one example, NH Technology built a custom software tool for an insurance company for under $5,000. That single tool replaced a slow manual paperwork process for 4,000 policyholders. As a result, the insurance firm doubled its business volume while cutting customer service time in half. What Success Really Means At its core, all this business building exists for one main purpose: to give people back their time. In a world where business leaders are often judged by how many hours they grind, Nathaniel measures success differently. He believes that money and company size are useless if you do not have time for the people you love. "Talk to anyone on their deathbed and ask how they measure success," Nathaniel says. "Nobody says they wish they'd worked more. They talk about the people they showed up for." By setting up smart delegation and efficient systems, Nathaniel keeps his core workweek to about 20 to 25 hours. He compares business growth to fishing: first, a business owner must secure their daily operations—what he calls 'sardine fishing'—in 20 to 25 hours. Only then do they have the free time to pursue big strategic partnerships, or 'salmon fishing and bear hunts.' The time he buys back goes straight to his life and family. Outside of work, Nathaniel enjoys caring for a large freshwater fish tank and reading science fiction books to think about human nature and the future. Most importantly, it gives him the freedom to be an active, present father for his seven children every single day.

"If you look for the trees, you're going to hit them. If you look for the holes, you're going to slide right through," Nathaniel explains.

In business, the 'trees' are bad news stories, market fears, and daily distractions. If you stare at the obstacles, you will crash into them. But if you look for the 'holes'—the open paths and new opportunities—you will glide right through smoothly. How the Businesses Run Today In 2023, Nathaniel moved his family and business operations to the Nashville area in Middle Tennessee. He organized his growing portfolio under a main holding umbrella called NH Technology. His goal was to help medium-sized companies overcome operational headaches without getting trapped in bad software deals. Rather than acting like a typical IT vendor who charges by the hour, Nathaniel builds true partnerships with his clients. Today, the NH Technology family includes several specialized companies: Low Code Road: Builds custom software applications tailored to company workflows. Finish Line Media: Handles web design, digital presence, and branding. Datawise: Manages business IT networks and document management. Equipath: Manages business equipment, assets, and corporate entities. 360Centric: Provides data tools and insights for business advisors.

Looking to the Future Looking ahead, Nathaniel is guiding his business family into

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control of their technology so they can build freedom in their own lives.

the world of artificial intelligence. But unlike many tech hype- creators, he takes a realistic, balanced view. He warns that many companies are rushing to use AI without fixing their basic business habits first. Nathaniel believes in a future of "AI + Humans." He uses AI to handle boring, repetitive tasks so real people can focus on creative thinking, empathy, and decision-making. To build a lasting legacy, Nathaniel is shifting from service consulting to co-founding and owning software platforms like Equipath and 360Centric. This creates long-term value that lasts beyond individual client projects. He also gives back to his community by leading workshops for business owners at the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Middle Tennessee State University and collaborating with top regional leaders in the Symphony Six executive group. He teaches non-technical owners how to take

In the end, Nathaniel's story comes full circle. As technology and AI make code easier to write, true leadership will not come from algorithms. It will come from human vision, honesty, and care. For Nathaniel, mastering technology was never about building an empire for its own sake—it was about building a path of freedom that leads right back home to his family.

Written by: Dr. h.c. Lisa E. Kirkwood - The True Stories Merchant™

Global voice. Soulful connector, Keynote speaker, 5 X Amazon bestselling author, expert consultant; Global Diversity & Intercultural Communication; Team Building & Development; Leadership & Empowerment

http://www.thetruestoriesmerchant.com/

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JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

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TECH BYTES

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Tech Radar Top 10 AI & Technology Trends Today

1. Agentic & Proactive AI : AI is shifting from answering prompts to acting autonomously—understanding goals, planning steps, and executing complex workflows with minimal human oversight. 2. AI Guardrails & Responsible AI : As enterprise adoption surges, strict protocols are being deployed to keep AI systems within ethical, legal, and secure boundaries to prevent data leaks and hallucinations. 3. Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) : With AI chatbots replacing traditional search, digital strategies are shifting from SEO to AEO to ensure content is specifically cited by AI answer engines. 4. Small Language Models (SLMs) : SLMs are emerging as highly efficient, cost- effective alternatives to massive LLMs, capable of running powerful local AI on edge devices and tighter enterprise budgets. 5. "Shadow AI" in the Workplace : The unsanctioned use of consumer-grade AI by employees is forcing companies to rapidly implement internal AI usage policies to prevent corporate data breaches. 6. Next-Gen Battery Tech : Silicon-carbon batteries (for ultra-thin, high-capacity portable electronics) and iron-air batteries (for grid storage) are breaking through to support the massive energy demands of modern infrastructure. 7. Multimodal AI Generation : AI that fluidly processes and generates across formats is peaking, especially AI Voice and Music Generators that instantly output highly realistic, broadcast-ready audio from text prompts. 8. The Environmental Cost of AI: The physical footprint of AI is becoming a massive sustainability issue, with hyperscale data centers drawing heavy scrutiny over their immense water and electricity consumption. 9. AI-Driven Accessibility Tech : Major hardware releases are utilizing AI to fundamentally change accessibility, allowing devices to dynamically adapt their camera systems and voice controls to a user's specific physical or vision needs. 10. Edge Computing Expansion : To handle the influx of smart robotics and IoT devices, computing power is moving to the "edge" (processing data near its source rather than in the cloud) to drastically cut latency and improve real-time responses.

Dr. Kai Simmons is an AI expert with 20+ years in research, development, and education. Passionate about making AI accessible, he helps professionals leverage AI for growth. Follow or connect at AI Navigator by Dr. Kai Simmons.

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RICH GUZZI

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Outperforming Yesterday How 10,000 live shows built Rich Guzzi's business blueprint By Lenora Edwards

Rich Guzzi has never collected a standard paycheck. Since the age of 14, he has worked entirely for himself, building a 50-year career that bridges the gap between live entertainment and high-level business coaching. With over 10,000 live stage shows, 1,000 media appearances and a track record of hypnotizing more than 1 million people, Guzzi possesses a unique understanding of human behavior. He recently joined me on "The Entrepreneurs Forum" podcast to explain how he translated decades of stage performance into a concrete system for business growth. Guzzi did not start his career with the intention of becoming a master hypnotist. He spent his early years as a touring stand-up comedian. A sudden cancellation by a headlining hypnotist at a major New Jersey venue left management scrambling. Guzzi volunteered to fill the spot, studied a library book on hypnosis, tested his routines in local bars and returned to perform seven sold-out shows.

practical approach. He tells clients to try an idea in the open market immediately. Next, they must track the actual customer responses and conversion numbers. Finally, they modify the offer based on genuine feedback rather than assumptions. Handling that feedback requires a specific mindset. Traditional business advice tells entrepreneurs to develop thick skin to handle rejection. Guzzi disagrees. He argues that thick skin is rigid and hard. Instead, business owners need slippery skin. When a potential client rejects an offer, that refusal should slide right off. A fast "no" is the second-best answer a salesperson can hear because it stops them from wasting time. Furthermore, prospects rarely tell the truth on their first refusal. They lie to be polite. If a business owner respects the initial rejection and asks for the real reason behind it, the prospect will eventually provide the truth. That truth is the exact data needed to close the next deal. Guzzi also addresses the psychological weight of daily tasks. Every client has an invisible threshold for unpaid invoices; if their tab gets too high, they subconsciously look for flaws in the work to justify walking away. A business owner’s to-do list operates on the exact same principle. When a priority list grows too large, the brain hits a weight threshold and shuts down. Productivity stops entirely. To clear this mental clutter, Guzzi uses a bracket system modeled after college basketball tournaments. He instructs clients to write down every active project. Then, they pit the projects against each other in head-to-head matchups. If they could only complete one project of the two, which one survives? They cross off the loser and advance the winner. This process continues until only four projects remain. Those final four become the sole focus, and everything else is discarded. To achieve continuous growth, Guzzi identified four core categories every successful professional must master. The first is skill level. A professional must determine how rare and valuable their abilities are in the market. The second category involves marketing capabilities. A person can possess world-class skills, but without the ability to market them, those skills remain hidden.

That experience provided his first major business lesson: the value of rapid data collection.

Standing in front of a live audience forces a performer to read body language, eye contact and subtle behavioral shifts instantly. Guzzi learned to spot troublemakers before they reached the stage and identify ideal participants immediately. By repeating this process thousands of times, he realized that people generally move to action for four primary reasons. Once a business owner understands those behavioral patterns, they can apply that same profiling to marketing, sales negotiations and team management. Every interaction offers data. When something works, Guzzi advises doing more of it. When something fails, stop doing it entirely.

This simple philosophy forms the foundation of Guzzi’s operational engine, which he calls Try, Track, and Modify.

Many business owners stall their own progress by waiting for perfection. They revise plans and adjust details for months without launching a single product. Guzzi advocates for a faster, more

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The third category focuses on leadership and outsourcing. Guzzi stresses that a single person cannot handle every task effectively. When outsourcing, he prioritizes speed and quality over cost, ensuring projects are finished correctly and on time. The final category is the "it" factor—the unique energy, charm and presence that separates a competent professional from an unforgettable industry standout. Ultimately, Guzzi’s methods center on his Human Excellence System. He teaches that business owners should stop worrying about their competitors. The only real competition an individual faces is the person they were yesterday. By mastering these four pillars, utilizing the bracket system and embracing slippery skin, business owners can stop guessing and start building momentum. As Guzzi shared on "The Entrepreneurs Forum," the ultimate goal is not just to get people to say yes, but to learn exactly when to say no to the distractions that hold you back.

Learn

more,

connect,

and

Rich

Guzzi

here:

www.HYPNOSISWORLD.COM https://www.facebook.com/HypnoWorld/

How to Scale Your Business: 4 Growth Rules | Rich Guzzi | Entrepreneurs Forumi

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