Kelly Siegel

Cyber attacks are happening at an alarming rate to businesses, with reports from the Michigan State Police indicating that already in 2026, Business Email Compromise (BEC) and ransomware activity are a significant cause of financial loss.

As a business owner and tech end user, Kelly Siegel was facing these potential hacks, attacks and ransom requests against his own IT company – and decided to do something about it.

“National Technology Management (NTM) evolved out of a need for my business and all other commercial businesses to be protected from the disabling damage these malicious acts can inflict on a company,” said CEO Siegel, a Bloomfield Hills resident. “Before getting a scholarship to Western Michigan University after high school, I lived in a rough side of town near Van Dyke and 8 Mile, went to school with Eminem, and had to fend for myself, so I really hate a bully. NTM services IT needs and provides cyber security aid against these bullies and we are very proud of the fact that we haven’t had one customer experience a cyber breach under our watch.”

Siegel calls NTM a cyber security firm “on steroids” because of its tech support, security aid, the recent addition of the ELEVATE program – a sales and marketing tool, and innovative AI tools, which is “the way of the future to boost productivity and protect company data, and more.”

Not satisfied “just being the IT guy,” the self-made businessman has always reached out to his community to be of service wherever he can. “I guess my own worthiness has always been tied to providing value to others, not only in business but with my self-help and charity work with organizations like Variety-The Children’s Charity and Face Addiction Now,” Siegel said.

Turning his own life around from earlier destructive behavior, working out and dedicated self-discipline have delivered him to a healthy life that Siegel now shares with others. With a top self-help podcast, Harder Than Life and a best-selling book by the same name, the 50-year-old coaches about the virtues of “working out like your life depends on it, breaking destructive cycles and rebuilding life with purpose”.

In both the book and the podcast, Siegel shares heartfelt stories from his traumatic childhood and the mindset shifts needed to move from chaos to success. Content includes topics like “Discipline Is the Path to Healing” and “Overcoming Poverty, Addiction and Violence.”

“Since I’ve lived it all firsthand myself, I can use my vulnerability to show others what’s needed in their lives to go from survival to thriving, and that’s most important for me” he said.

Siegel’s follow-up book, Happier Than Life, is a roadmap the successful entrepreneur used to transition from feeling empty at the top, as he felt he was, to experiencing authentic joy, peace and a sustainable high performance level.

“It’s a method to address the disconnect between your external success and internal happiness by aligning your achievements with more meaningful fulfillment, and avoiding common mental, physical and spiritual burnout.”

As well as working out every day, the athletic Siegel loves spending time on his boat and “anything outdoors,” recently traveling to Costa Rica to visit the Blue Zones for inspiration. And I have to admit I like a good cigar and the best bar food at Churchill’s in Birmingham,” he said.

Sage advice Siegel has for both business leadership and personal relationships is to first work on yourself.

“Examine your priorities, address your wounded areas and take responsibility for yourself. If you keep promises to yourself you will keep them with everyone else, and that’s the foundation for all success.”

Story: Susan Peck

Photo: Laurie Tennent