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
| The Bellwether |
Powered by FlippingBook