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In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Stephen Sweeney, CEO of Upright Services, to unpack how small and mid-sized businesses can turn technology from a constant headache into a genuine competitive advantage. Stephen shares his unexpected journey from educator to entrepreneur, the lessons he learned buying and scaling an IT company, and why proactive technology decisions—not reactive ones—ultimately determine a company’s resilience, profitability, and long-term success. From cybersecurity pitfalls to AI’s growing role in automation, Stephen offers practical, real-world insights that empower leaders to grow smarter, operate safer, and build organizations that can adapt in an age of nonstop digital change.