On this episode of A Good Pour, I sat down with Chad Sizemore from LW Secure to talk about cybersecurity, AI, entrepreneurship, and somehow… jellyfish.
What I appreciated most about this conversation was how grounded it felt. Chad works in industries that change by the hour. Cybersecurity and AI can both feel intimidating, complicated, and honestly a little overwhelming. But underneath all the technology talk was something much simpler:
People want to feel safe.
People want someone they trust.
People want help solving real problems.
And that’s work worth paying attention to.
Cybersecurity Isn’t Just for Big Companies
One of the biggest myths Chad hears is:
“We’re too small to be a target.”
But cyber threats are rarely personal. Most attacks are simply looking for someone to click the wrong link, open the wrong email, or unknowingly hand over access.
As Chad explained, many businesses still assume cybersecurity is only a concern for giant corporations. Meanwhile, small businesses are often the easiest targets because they haven’t built safeguards or training into their day-to-day operations.
That’s where LW Secure comes in.
Their goal is simple: help businesses build confidence around technology and security instead of fear.
I loved the phrase Chad shared during the episode:
“Cyber confidence starts here.”
That feels especially important right now.
Because technology is moving fast. AI is moving even faster. And many business owners are trying to keep up while also running teams, serving customers, and making payroll.
AI Is Powerful But It Needs Leadership
Naturally, our conversation turned toward AI.
One thing Chad said really stuck with me: many businesses are treating AI like an IT problem instead of a leadership conversation.
That’s such an important distinction.
Right now, teams across the country are experimenting with AI tools on their own. Some are building systems on personal accounts. Some are entering sensitive company information into tools they don’t fully understand. Some are starting projects that never actually solve a problem.
And honestly? I see this every day.
There’s excitement around AI — and there should be. It’s changing how we work, create, organize, communicate, and serve people. But without structure, training, and intentional leadership, businesses can end up wasting time, money, and energy chasing tools instead of solving problems.
One of my favorite moments in the conversation was when we talked about this idea:
Don’t start with the tool.
Start with the problem you’re trying to solve.
That changes everything.
Because there will always be another tool tomorrow. Another update. Another platform. Another shiny object competing for your attention.
But if you stay focused on the actual need, you can build something useful instead of simply staying busy.
The Importance of In-Person Training
Another thing Chad and I both agreed on?
People still need people.
Yes, webinars are helpful. Online learning matters. Digital tools matter.
But there’s something different about being in the room together.
Chad shared that many companies rely on repetitive online cybersecurity trainings that employees simply click through while multitasking. Instead, his team prefers in-person conversations, examples, and real engagement.
Honestly, I feel the same way about AI training.
When you sit with a team face-to-face, you can answer questions in real time. You can help people think critically. You can build trust. You can create clarity instead of confusion.
And in both cybersecurity and AI, clarity matters.
The “Jelly Smack” Story
Now for the jellyfish.
Chad is also part of a product called Jelly Smack — a foam designed to help with jellyfish stings and other insect bites.
The story behind it actually fits the entire theme of this episode.
They saw a problem.
They wanted to help people.
They built a solution.
Simple as that.
I loved hearing how the product grew from a small idea into something now sold across coastal communities and beach towns. It was another reminder that many good businesses start the same way:
By paying attention.
By noticing a need.
By caring enough to solve it.
Community Still Matters
One of my favorite parts of this conversation had nothing to do with technology.
It was hearing Chad talk about why he and his wife moved to Gallatin and how much community matters to them.
He talked about wanting real relationships. Honest conversations. Trusted people around them.
That’s the kind of community I’m grateful for too.
The older I get, the more I realize good work rarely happens alone. It happens through collaboration, trust, encouragement, and people willing to share what they’ve learned — including their mistakes.
That’s what this conversation felt like.
Not experts pretending to have every answer.
Just two people trying to do good work, solve real problems, and help others do the same.
A Few Questions Worth Asking
After this conversation, I found myself reflecting on a few things:
- Does your business have clear AI guidelines?
- Do your employees know what tools are safe to use?
- Are you solving actual problems or simply chasing new technology?
- Have you trained your team well?
- Are you building systems people can trust?
And outside of business:
- Are you surrounding yourself with people who challenge and encourage you?
- Are you building community intentionally?
- Are you paying attention to the needs around you?
Because sometimes the best ideas — and the best businesses — begin with simply noticing what people need.
Listen to the Full Episode
If you’re a business owner, team leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to keep up with technology while still staying human, I think you’ll enjoy this conversation.
And if nothing else, you’ll at least leave knowing how to survive a jellyfish sting.
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