March’s Tech Tuesday Session featured Robert Royster, Founder of Ruckus Pizza.

Robert delivered an engaging and insightful presentation on the tips and tricks of utilizing Google, AI and automation for small business owners.

In this month’s session, attendee’s learned these key takeaways:

A major theme throughout the discussion was ownership—specifically, who truly owns your digital presence and data. As third-party platforms like DoorDash or Toast become more integrated into daily operations, many businesses are unknowingly giving up control of valuable customer data. The takeaway was clear: while these tools are helpful, it’s critical for businesses to prioritize owning their own data and maintaining direct relationships with their customers.

The conversation also highlighted how AI is rapidly transforming the way software is created and how businesses approach growth. With AI and coding evolving together, small businesses now have more accessible tools than ever to build, automate, and scale. This shift is also reshaping SEO, allowing businesses to leverage AI-driven strategies to improve visibility and compete more effectively online.

Another key point focused on the importance of optimizing your digital presence for AI. This includes having a clean, well-structured website that is easy for search engines and AI tools to crawl and understand. In today’s landscape, Google acts as the “modern front door” for businesses, making a well-optimized Google Business Profile essential. Using AI to develop and maintain SEO and profile strategies can give businesses a significant edge.

Ultimately, it all comes back to “owning your signal”—how your business shows up online. Every touchpoint, from your website to your listings, contributes to your digital footprint. If you’re not actively managing and owning those signals, someone else will.

Missed it? No worries!

Check out the link to watch this month’s session.