In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Shawn Thornton, founder of Smart Biz IT and former tech leader at Amazon and Ford, to unpack the growing importance of cybersecurity and compliance for small and mid-sized businesses. We open with a real-world horror story—Shawn walks us through how one of his Michigan-based clients was completely taken out by ransomware. Two facilities, thousands of hacked printers, a wiped customer database, destroyed emails, inaccessible websites—no backups, no recovery, over a million dollars in losses. It’s a sobering introduction to the stakes of not being prepared.

After the wake-up call, we shift to get to know Shawn a bit more personally—his passion for barbecuing, cold smoking cheeses, and his undying loyalty to the Detroit Lions. The conversation is easygoing, but the subject matter stays serious as we transition back to the business of IT and compliance.

Shawn breaks compliance down in simple terms—it's about proving that you're protecting your customer and business data. Whether it's strong passwords, verified backups, multi-factor authentication, or employee training, these small habits can be the difference between continuity and catastrophe. He emphasizes that compliance isn't just about avoiding trouble; it can actually become a revenue driver. Companies looking to secure government contracts, enterprise partnerships, or venture funding all need to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity. Compliance is no longer optional—it's a credential.

We talk about what Smart Biz IT offers: full-service IT support with a lens focused on compliance. From help desk and cloud backups to risk assessments and documentation, Shawn’s firm is helping businesses not only stay safe but grow. He shares another example of a client with a seven-figure deal on the table—except they couldn’t move forward without a SOC 2 attestation. Now, with Shawn’s help, they’re on track to be ready in time.

The episode closes with Shawn reflecting on his move into entrepreneurship, the unique value Smart Biz iT brings to the market, and his great experience since joining the Royal Oak Chamber. We also get to learn that his favorite day of the year is NFL’s opening Sunday, and fall—complete with smoked meats and fantasy football—is his favorite season.

Contact Shawn: https://smartbizit.com/

Or call: (248) 206-9100

00:00 – Ransomware Nightmare: A $1M Recovery
00:53 – Introduction to the ROCC Pod
01:12 – Meet Shawn Thornton: Tech Pro & BBQ King
03:19 – What Is Compliance, Really?
04:33 – Why Compliance Matters to Small Businesses
06:04 – Common Cybersecurity Mistakes
07:49 – Ransomware Case Study: Lessons Learned
10:48 – Full-Service IT With a Compliance Focus
12:53 – Turning Compliance Into Revenue
13:46 – Shawn’s Background: From Amazon to Smart Biz iT
14:03 – Experience Joining the Chamber
15:00 – Favorite Day of the Year: NFL Kickoff Sunday
17:10 – Contact Info and Final Thoughts

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

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