Black Business Month is more than a time of celebration; it’s a time of preparation. For decades, this paper and my company have lifted up the stories of legacy businesses—family-owned shops, mom-and-pop stores, and entrepreneurs whose hard work shaped the backbone of our communities.
But in today’s climate, legacy businesses face challenges their founders never imagined. The stores, services, and enterprises we celebrated in the past weren’t built in a digital world. They didn’t have to pass down domain names, customer data, or social media accounts alongside the storefront keys. Now, if your successor inherits the keys without the codes, contracts, or customer records, your legacy could stall before it even has a chance to grow.
And here’s where my own background comes in. Before my work in AI and business consulting, I was a financial advisor, helping families and entrepreneurs plan for succession and transition. We mapped out inheritances, trusts, and leadership shifts—but what was missing then, and what’s urgent now, is the digital side of succession. Today, protecting your legacy means protecting your data, your brand, and your intellectual property just as carefully as you protect your storefront and staff.
Why Digital Legacy Must Be Part of Your Succession Plan
- Your data is your reputation. Customers trust you to protect their information. The FTC is clear: safeguarding data isn’t optional, it’s your duty.
Preparation beats panic. NIST’s 3-2-1 rule— three copies, two types of
