05/06/2026
I had the opportunity to speak on a Disaster Resilience Panel at the Building Resilience Conference on May 5, representing small business owners and Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
The conversation was simple, but real:
Disasters aren’t “if.”
They’re when.
Coming from Houston, I’ve lived through hurricanes, floods, and winter storms, each one hitting not just my business, but my clients too. The impact stacks. It compounds.
One of my biggest lessons?
Insurance.
Understanding things like ACV, deductibles, and depreciation… I didn’t learn that upfront. I learned it after taking a hit. Like most small business owners.
And that’s the problem.
We wear too many hats. We’re busy trying to survive and grow, so preparedness gets pushed to the side.
But here’s the truth:
Optimism is powerful…
but you can’t cash it to make payroll or replace equipment.
Preparedness is what keeps you in business.
Appreciate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Verizon for putting this conversation front and center, and for investing in tools that actually help small businesses get ready.
Shoutout to Natasha Myrick-Broxton for sharing the stage with me.
If this conversation reaches the right people, it creates a ripple effect. And that’s how we build real resilience.
Disclosure: Thanks to Verizon Business for partnering with me.
