An operator who builds the systems he recommends.
I am Zack Shields, based in Orlando, Florida. I help companies ship practical AI automation, internal tools, and operating systems, and I own and operate businesses where those systems either work or create midnight problems. That dual seat, builder and operator, is the core of how I work.
My background is not a polished consulting pedigree invented for this page. I have managed real estate operations, invested across Florida, co-own hospitality operations where I built inventory software we actually run, and operate short-term rentals that see 700+ stays a year. Those environments punish vague advice. When a handoff fails, guests feel it and money moves.
What I am not: a former FAANG research lead, a Big Four alumni brand, or a person who will fabricate case-study percentages to win a deal. What I am: a senior generalist who can map a workflow, ship the system, train your team, and tell you when not to automate. The hard part is rarely the model. The hard part is designing a system people trust enough to use, one that survives real users, edge cases, and daily reality.
Background
- 12+ years operating real businesses: hospitality venues, real estate, sports, and technology
- Led production and launch of a software platform for the hospitality industry
- Built AI systems across healthcare, finance, hospitality, real estate, staffing, and more
- Short-term-rental portfolio experience at 700+ stays per year
- Independent consulting since 2022, based in Orlando, FL
Commitments I make publicly
- No invented client logos, revenue lifts, or testimonials. If a result cannot be stated in plain language, it does not appear as a metric.
- I keep building in my own operations. The systems I sell are the systems I run.
- Lightweight communication: short written updates, shared checklists, and demos on your examples, not status theater.
- If we are not a fit, I will still try to leave you with a clearer next step.
Think we might be a fit?
Start with a free 30-minute workflow review. We map one real process, find where AI or automation could save time or money, and you get an honest read on fit. No pitch.