What's so unscripted about Zak?

Hi, I'm Zak! I work with founders, leaders, and mission-driven organizations as a long-term advisor—helping them bring clarity to their business, align their marketing, and build something sustainable without burning themselves out.

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Unscripted isn’t a brand name—it’s how I work.
It means I don’t rely on rigid formulas, borrowed playbooks, or performative business advice. I pay attention. I listen closely. I help people see what’s actually happening in their business—not what they think should be happening—and make decisions from there.

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With more than 20 years of experience building credibility across worlds, I’ve operated in marketing, operations, real estate, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. That cross-domain experience allows me to recognize patterns quickly and translate strategy into choices that hold up in real life, not just on paper.

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My work focuses on the full system. Not just marketing tactics, but how a business is structured, how decisions get made, how leadership shows up, and how much pressure the business is quietly putting on the people running it. Clients often come to me at an inflection point—when growth has become exhausting, visibility feels performative, or what used to work simply doesn’t anymore.

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Earlier in my career, I began as a web developer before moving into the real estate industry, where I spent years across residential and commercial sales, property management, and brokerage leadership. That experience sharpened my understanding of consumer behavior, negotiation, positioning, and operations—insights I now bring into every advisory relationship.

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Through Shellhammer Consulting, I work primarily through ongoing advisory partnerships rather than one-off fixes. The goal isn’t speed for its own sake. It’s clarity, alignment, and momentum that doesn’t require self-betrayal to maintain.

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I also continue to work closely with mission-driven and nonprofit organizations, supporting storytelling, community engagement, and operational focus around impact. I currently serve as Community Engagement Coordinator at Urban Roots Teaching Farm, where I lead outreach, fundraising, and marketing initiatives connecting Northern Nevada communities with food education and sustainability.

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Outside of client work, I write, speak, and explore creative expression through surrealist art and long-form storytelling. These aren’t side projects—they’re part of how I think. Creativity, curiosity, and restraint are essential tools when helping people navigate complexity without defaulting to scripts.

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If you’re done performing, done chasing the next tactic, and ready to make decisions that support both your business and your life, that’s usually where my work begins.