Not long ago, I met a car salesman who wasn’t a salesman at heart. He was an engineer—a man of logic and precision—who found himself selling cars out of necessity, not passion. The sales aspect wore on him, but he loved the cars and valued honesty above all else. Yet, as his business struggled to survive, his focus narrowed entirely to the vehicles, leaving little room for anything else.
One detail stood out: a cash counting machine. When I asked about it, he explained that most of his customers paid in cash. Why? He charged a 4% fee for card transactions and offered a cash discount as an incentive. Customers often left to retrieve cash from the bank but never returned. It wasn’t just lost sales; it was lost trust, lost opportunities, and strained relationships.
I could see it in his eyes—this wasn’t the business he dreamed of running. His love for cars was overshadowed by the emotional toll of these failed interactions.
That’s where I stepped in.
I introduced him to a payment processing solution that eliminated those extra fees. No more 4% surcharge. No more trips to the bank. He kept more of his hard-earned money, and more importantly, he stopped losing customers.
But this wasn’t just about better payment systems—it was about restoring relationships. Business friction—whether it’s fees, distrust, or uncomfortable interactions—takes an emotional toll. It creates patterns of mistrust and avoidance that quietly erode connections over time.
By removing the 4% charge and streamlining the process, his transactions became seamless, negotiations less stressful, and relationships more fulfilling. He could focus on what he loved—cars—and rebuild trust with every customer.
This experience was transformative for me. It showed me that the right systems don’t just save money—they restore connection, trust, and joy. This is the foundation of The Empathic Technologist: finding hidden opportunities to transform not just transactions, but relationships.
My journey began long before I worked with small businesses—it started with curiosity, a computer, and a childhood spent indoors, exploring technology.
At seven, I was taking apart hardware and learning to program. By thirteen, I was a self-taught programmer fluent in over a dozen languages, offering expertise to my local community. By nineteen, I had founded my first business during the dot-com boom and sold it just before the bubble burst.
My career spanned corporate tech giants like Microsoft, Motorola, Verizon, and AT&T. At AT&T, I designed the data infrastructure behind their financial systems for the iPhone launch—a $175 million project spanning five data centers nationwide. It was groundbreaking work, but something was missing.
In 2010, I co-founded Dallas Makerspace, now the world’s largest all-volunteer nonprofit makerspace. There, I witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration and community—what happens when people come together to solve problems and innovate without boundaries.
Later, I pursued a PhD fellowship in Emotion AI, focusing on Affective Computing: how machines interpret and influence human emotions. This research deepened my understanding of how technology could bridge gaps in communication, foster empathy, and transform human interactions.
Through it all, small businesses kept calling me back. I saw the struggles owners faced every day—hidden costs, workplace toxicity, disconnected systems—and knew I could help.
The Empathic Technologist is the result. It’s not just a platform; it’s a mission to bring the same innovation I applied to Fortune 500 companies to the heart of small businesses, helping them thrive, grow, and leave a legacy.
Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, yet they face challenges that run deeper than surface-level problems.
Cultures riddled with mistrust, poor communication, and low morale don’t just hurt employees—they stifle growth and innovation.
From payment processing fees to inefficiencies, many businesses lose thousands of dollars a year without realizing it.
Outdated tools and poor integrations create unnecessary stress and prevent owners from focusing on their passions.
But these aren’t just operational challenges—they’re deeply human ones.
When a workplace feels toxic, it drains energy, hope, and creativity. Hidden fees erode trust. Disconnected systems make owners feel disconnected themselves—from their team, their purpose, and the very reason they started their business.
This emotional toll creates a cycle of stress and frustration, leaving business owners stuck.
Now, imagine a different world.
A world where small businesses don’t just survive—they thrive. Where workplaces are built on trust, and technology empowers people instead of overwhelming them. Where every transaction is an opportunity to strengthen a relationship.
That’s the future I’m working to create.
Understanding the human side of every problem and crafting solutions that address both the technical and emotional challenges.
Helping owners regain control of their operations, finances, and vision—so they can focus on what they do best.
When small businesses succeed, their communities flourish. The ripple effects go far beyond the bottom line.
This isn’t about one-size-fits-all answers. It’s about listening deeply, analyzing holistically, and designing solutions that transform businesses at their core.
The Empathic Technologist offers:
Real stories and case studies that inspire new ways of thinking about your business.
Strategies you can implement today to save money, build trust, and foster collaboration.
Join a network of changemakers reimagining the relationship between humanity and technology.
Every post is a stepping stone toward creating a business that thrives with purpose and heart.
This isn’t just a newsletter—it’s a movement.
If you believe in the power of empathy and technology to transform lives…
If you want to create a business that thrives with purpose and impact…
If you’re ready to be part of something bigger…
Subscribe today and join a community that’s redefining success—one solution, one relationship, and one moment of empathy at a time.
The Empathic Technologist
