Lowell Fortune is a USAF veteran and is passionate about helping others through innovative ideas. During his twelve years of military service, Lowell spent four years in logistics before becoming a nuclear missile launch commander responsible for billions of dollars of government assets. Holding various positions from sales to web development since returning to civilian life, Lowell has fifteen years of experience in both front-end and back-end development, as well as digital design. Additionally, he’s dedicated the past ten years to working with small to mid-sized businesses as a business developer.
What do you love most about digital currency?
While it’s virtually impossible to limit what I love about cryptocurrencies to just a few sentences, I love cryptocurrencies most for two main reasons, resulting in a tie:
1) Cryptocurrencies remove the “middlemen,” reducing transaction costs for both consumers and businesses.
2) Though blockchain was initially designed for financial transactions, it remains the base platform for crypto while enabling multiple functions across any variety of industries. Now that same blockchain technology is being used for everything from data privacy to shopper incentives and loyalty rewards!
Cryptocurrency cannot be counterfeited, and transactions cannot be reversed arbitrarily by the sender. Using a “push” model prompting the holder to send whatever information they choose to the sender, anonymity is built in. Crypto is not bound by exchange or interest rates or accompanied by transaction charges.
Additionally, digital currency transactions take place at the same speed, regardless of where the sender and receiver are located.
As far as my belief in the future of cryptocurrency? It will be the payment gateway for the future, across the board! Like traditional investments, cryptocurrency will go through cycles but will cause significant changes in commerce and continue to disrupt the banking industry. Ultimately, commerce will be shaped by the crypto supply chain, with reduced friction and increased exponential value between buyers and sellers of all products.
When did you decide blockchain tech was here to stay?
The vast number of large companies struggling against data breaches proves the necessity of data protection, for which blockchain is the solution. It’s happening in social media, retail, and banking. Data needs to be decentralized to be protected.
I love searching for ways to improve life, and in this regard, seeing how blockchain can fill the gap!
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently fired up about NextPakk, a scheduled package delivery service built around blockchain and a sharing economy to solve last-mile problems retailers, consumers, and major carriers are struggling with daily.
Through the scheduled package delivery app, consumers receive packages according to their schedule(s), erasing the problems of missed deliveries and stolen packages!
And, through developing relationships with both local businesses and drivers we give control, convenience, and choice back to consumers. Something as simple as giving online shoppers the ability to choose when they receive their packages improves their overall delivery experience, resulting in increased customer loyalty, and higher conversion rates.
What are some of your favorite books you’ve read?
I can’t possibly narrow down my favorite books to just one, so I’ll share my favorite ten, in no particular order:
Pitch Anything – Oren Klaff
Contagious – Jonah Berger
Zero to One – Peter Thiel
Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World – Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler
Blue Ocean Strategy – W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die – Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Good to Great – Jim Colins
The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do about It – Michael E. Gerber
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck
The Power of Positive Thinking – Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Each of these books has inspired and challenged me, shown me areas where I can improve, and encouraged me to keep going.
What’s one piece of advice you can share with others?
The best advice I’ve ever received was to know who to listen to. Everyone has opinions, and I’m sure they’re well-meaning, but when I’m making a life-altering decision, I know it’s in my best interest to ensure those I’m listening to are qualified to guide me in that area. Whether it’s based upon education, life experience, or accomplishments, I not only listen to what they say, but I watch what they do and how they handle difficult situations. That’s how I choose who to really listen to.
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