From Destruction to Construction: Why Real Leadership Requires Real Scars

The Differentiating Strategy: Radical Transparency

NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) — I've struggled with substance abuse, been incarcerated, and engaged in destructive patterns of behavior. But those experiences didn't define me, they shaped my path forward.

If you're going to partner with me, invest in me, or work with my team, you deserve the full story, not just the highlight reel. Radical transparency builds trust. It’s not about telling you only what’s comfortable, it's about sharing the truth, even when it’s hard to hear.

But the most significant part of my story isn’t the mistakes I made, it's the transformation I went through. I am not just a person who overcame adversity; I am someone who turned that adversity into a blueprint for helping others. That’s what sets me apart. And it’s why I share my story with pride not as an excuse, but as evidence that change is possible.

The Transformation

Five years ago, I walked out of prison for the last time. Today, I lead AI initiatives for businesses worldwide, backed by partners with over $250M in closed deals. I’m proud to be recognized as the first formerly incarcerated person endorsed for a presidential pardon by the Ronald Reagan Institute.

In fact, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, where I had the privilege to serve as a student leader and intern, has been instrumental in my transformation. Dr. Janet Tran, Director of the Center for Civics, Education, and Opportunity at the Institute, wrote a letter of recommendation that not only supports my personal growth but also highlights the work I’ve done to help others. In her words, I’ve “demonstrated tremendous growth, self-improvement, and strong character,” and she recognizes me as someone who has used his past experiences to positively impact those around him.

Her endorsement reinforces my belief that mistakes don’t define us, they shape us. They fuel our growth. And it’s that growth that makes a difference.

The Credibility

I understand destructive decision-making because I lived it. I’ve spent seven years incarcerated across multiple sentences. I've battled addiction to nearly every substance imaginable, and I’ve made choices that hurt others and nearly destroyed me. I’m sharing this not for shock value, but because those experiences have given me insight into the systemic patterns that derail individuals and organizations alike.

When I speak with CEOs about the blind spots in their company culture, they listen. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when accountability systems fail. But I’ve also seen what happens when a system of support, like the one I received from the Reagan Institute, helps someone find a new path forward.

The Expertise

Justice Reform Leadership:

• First formerly incarcerated intern at the Ronald Reagan Institute
  
  

• Organized the Institute’s first-ever justice reform roundtable
  
  

• Currently the first person with a felony record backed for a presidential pardon by the Reagan Institute and Presidential Library
  
  

• Studied at The Ohio State University and the University of Utah while mentoring others in reentry

AI & Technology:

• Over 3 years of hands-on AI development and implementation
  
  

• Led our company to six-figure revenue in year two
  
  

• Partners with proven track records of $250M+ in closed ventures
  
  

• Specializing in "AI-ifying" businesses integrating AI systems that enhance operations, decision-making, and growth
  
  

• A pioneer in AI-powered capital raising that eliminates traditional equity giveaways, upfront fees, and backend kickbacks
  
  

• Focused on ethical AI deployment that strengthens organizational accountability rather than replacing human judgment

The Philosophy

We are living in a time when personal transformation and business transformation require the same fundamental shift: embracing AI as the core operating system for decision-making, growth, and competitive advantage.

Just as I had to completely rebuild my mental and operational frameworks to recover, businesses must rebuild around AI integration. This isn’t about adding AI tools to existing processes; it’s about reimagining business functions through an AI-first lens.

My transformation taught me that halfway measures don’t work. You can't expect breakthrough results from partial commitment. The same goes for AI implementation—companies that try to bolt AI onto outdated frameworks will fall behind.

This is the new business reality: every challenge—from capital raising to customer acquisition, from operational efficiency to strategic planning—must now be solved with AI. Companies that don’t adopt this mindset aren’t just falling behind—they’re becoming obsolete.

The mindset shift is everything. Personal transformation meant I had to stop thinking like an addict and start thinking like someone committed to systematic growth. For businesses, transformation requires leaders to stop thinking like traditional operators and start thinking like AI-native organizations.

When we "AI-ify" businesses, we’re not just installing technology—we’re rewiring organizational DNA. We’re helping leaders see that AI isn’t just a tool you use; it’s the lens through which you solve every business challenge.

The Results

This approach works. In five years, I’ve gone from a homeless shelter to:

• Recognized justice reform advocate
  
  

• Successful AI entrepreneur and capital-raising innovator
  
  

• Transformational speaker inspiring organizations and individuals worldwide
  
  

• Sought-after consultant on AI implementation and accountability systems
  
  

• Mentor to hundreds in reentry programs

More importantly, I’ve maintained my sobriety, rebuilt trust with my family, and created value for every organization I’ve touched.

The Mission

I help leaders and organizations build sustainable futures through three core services:

1. AI-ifying Businesses: We transform how companies operate by integrating intelligent systems that enhance human decision-making, streamline operations, and accelerate growth. We don’t replace human judgment, we strengthen it.
   
   

2. Revolutionary Capital Raising: Through AI-powered systems, we help businesses raise capital without traditional costs, no equity giveaways, no massive upfront fees, and no backend kickbacks. Our AI systems match businesses with investors who align with their goals.
   
   

3. Transformational Speaking: I share my story to inspire change. Real transformation requires real honesty. By building systems that counteract our worst impulses, organizations and individuals can truly change.
   
   

My past doesn’t just qualify me despite its darkness it qualifies me because of what navigating that darkness taught me about human nature, institutional failure, and the practical mechanics of redemption.

If you're building something that needs to last, you want someone who understands exactly how things fall apart and how to build systems that prevent it.

Ty-Shane Howell
My Linkedin
ty@10xcoldleads.com
ty@investorsourcingai.com

Available for AI implementation consulting, capital raising services, motivational speaking engagements, and strategic advisory roles. Learn more about our AI-powered capital raising by booking a call at https://calendly.com/10xcoldleads/30min.