Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 15, 2023 | Worcester Business Journal 13 Join us for New England's premier Cybersecurity conference! THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023 MassBay Community College • 50 Oakland Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 7:30AM - 1:30PM | COST: $55 (incl. continental breakfast and lunch buffet) REGISTER: https://events.towerwall.com/information-security-summit-2023 For further questions, contact Victoria Thibodeau at 774-204-0700 or victoriat@towerwall.com The Information Security Summit, now in its 10th year, is New England's leading Cybersecurity conference and training event. This year's premier Cybersecurity Summit will present the latest threats and emerging technologies. Join other top security and risk management professionals for this special forum designed to expand your networking circles, inform you on the latest threats and trends and collaborate with the leading industry experts. *Attendees of this event are eligible to receive up to 6 CPE credits Panel topics to include: • Cloud Security Assessments • Zero Trust Network • Incident Response Solution Forum • EDR, XDR and MDR KEYNOTE SPEAKER David Sherry MBA, CISSP, CISM Chief Information Security Officer Princeton University How Important is Culture to Security Success? Security is no longer the troglodytes of the IT world but an integral part of enterprise success. But with the challenge of budgets, staffing, and external threats, what does success take? This talk will focus on creating a culture of security for overall security mission success. #summitbuzz23 Presented By • Cybersecurity Insurance • Risk Based Security Model • Application Security • Culture and Security SPONSORS Facing off against Boston Bruins Alumni Marsh McLennan Agency shared the ice with former NHL players to raise funds and awareness for three local charities: Operation Delta Dog, Team IMPACT, and Life is Good Playmaker Project. Together we mentor, volunteer, donate, and partner with organizations to give back to our neighbors and address some of society's greatest challenges. See how we can help you thrive at MarshMMA.com d/b/a in California as Marsh & McLennan Insurance Agency LLC; CA Insurance Lic: 0H18131. Copyright © 2023 Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC. All rights reserved. MarshMMA.com S M A L L B U S I N E S S F O C U S dents. In its research, the school system found the best programs were attached to businesses, but the school district didn't want to own and operate a business itself. "We wanted to focus on the students, their disabilities, and their needs and less running a business," MacDonald said. "We felt like partnering with somebody that had a small business that really wanted to work with us and really want- ed to work and promote the indepen- dence for students with disabilities would be a better option." Along came Brown. "Chuck previously worked in a school district as a principal and worked with students with special education needs, so we really felt like if Chuck was wanting to do this, this would be a great option for him," MacDonald said. A win-win deal Brown agreed to sublease the bakery section of the space while the school built out a rec room for the students. At the same time, the students would be employed at the bakery and learn skills in and around the small business. e plan to open the bakery and storefront at 204 Worcester St. in Graon took off, officially opening in March. e program and Brown partnered up to give each other the necessary next step the pair needed for their evolutions. Brown leases the space while the school program gets an invested entrepreneur to help guide and train its young adults into the next phase of their lives. A win-win. ese deals don't come along of- ten, but they're something Del Mastro suggests. If a small business owner can partner with another business, it helps keep costs down and get an imprint in the community. Still, though, sweat equi- ty has to go into a new business, he said. Brown's sweat equity means still more long hours as he hones his breadmaking and finds the right groove with planning out bake times and releases. It means working with the GAIN program and setting the students up for success, helping them find the next steps in their lives. Seven students work at Bread Guy Breads, but soon, the number of students will grow, MacDonald said. First, though, Brown needs to make the bread, which takes time. "My philosophy on this is just take it slow and build it," Brown said. "at's what I did at home. I went from 10 to 400 loaves a week." W

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