What I Shared (and Learned) at the Texas Small Business Summit

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel at the Texas Governor’s Small Business Summit, and I’ve got to say, it was both humbling and energizing. Sitting next to some sharp folks and talking with small business owners from across the region reminded me why I do what I do.

This wasn’t some stiff, formal event. It was real conversations with real people who are in the trenches every day, keeping their businesses running, serving customers, and trying to make sense of technology on top of everything else.

Here’s what I shared, and why it matters:

1. Cybersecurity is not just a big business problem

I told folks straight up, just because you're a small business doesn't mean you're off the radar. In fact, that usually makes you more of a target. Hackers go after the easy wins, and that often means businesses that aren’t protected.

But the good news is, you don’t need a big budget to protect yourself. A few simple steps go a long way:

• Use strong passwords (and change them now and then)

• Turn on two-step verification wherever possible

• Keep your software and systems up to date

• Back up your important data regularly

None of that is fancy but it works. And it can save you a huge headache.

2. AI can help, but don’t get reckless

There was a lot of talk about AI, and I get the hype. It can save time, streamline tasks, and even help you market your business. But I reminded folks to be smart about it.

If you’re pasting sensitive info into free online tools, think twice. Who owns that data now? Can you really trust where it's going?

There are great tools out there, but you’ve got to choose the ones that are safe, secure, and actually make sense for your business. That’s where having someone you trust can make a big difference.

3. More tech is not always better tech

This one hit home with a lot of business owners. People are constantly being sold the next shiny tool that’s supposed to fix everything. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it just adds more noise.

I always tell people to step back and ask, “What problem am I really trying to solve?” Then we find the right solution for that, not just whatever’s trending this week.

Why this all matters

At the end of the day, I just want to help small business owners feel confident about their technology. Whether you run a local shop, a service-based business, or work from home, you shouldn’t have to figure all this out alone.

The summit was a great reminder that there are so many people doing amazing things in our communities, and they just need the right kind of support to keep moving forward.

If you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or just want honest help with your tech, give me a shout.

I’ll keep it simple, affordable, and most of all—real.

– Your IT Guy, CHAD