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Jacob Blacksten: From Dreaming of Entrepreneurship to Empowering Small Businesses

Early Inspirations in Entrepreneurship

From a tender age, Jacob Blacksten felt a distinct calling towards entrepreneurship. His initial exposure came while working at his grandfather’s livestock auction in the serene landscapes of rural lower Delaware. During this time, he assisted his great-grandmother and aunt in managing a food booth, an experience that set the stage for his lifelong entrepreneurial aspirations. When his family decided to step back from the business and retire, Blacksten, armed with the insights gained from his early experiences, saw a golden opportunity to take the reins.

Transforming a Food Booth into a Business Venture

As a college student navigating tight finances, Blacksten recognized the potential of the food booth as a viable business opportunity. He invested two years in transforming the booth into a sustainable entity by analyzing sales and discontinuing underperforming items, while also introducing a variety of new menu options to pique consumer interest. Through his relentless dedication and hard work, he cultivated a loyal customer base, and eventually, the venture flourished enough for him to invest in a custom-built food trailer. This was the inception of what became known as Satisfried Concessions.

Blacksten reflected on his journey, saying, “Witnessing my small booth grow into a full-fledged food truck operation wasn’t just rewarding; it was also instrumental in funding my college education.”

Education and a Commitment to Cybersecurity

Blacksten’s entrepreneurial passion and desire to help others paved a promising path forward. He successfully earned five degrees in business and cybersecurity from the University of Delaware, including prestigious honors such as an MBA and two master’s degrees. This diverse education furnished him with crucial context and knowledge, equipping him with the tools necessary to make a significant impact within his community. Today, Blacksten dedicates his expertise to assisting small businesses in preventing cyberattacks and safeguarding their assets against potential threats.

He emphasized the importance of a solid business foundation: “Having a strong grasp of business principles enables me to articulate cybersecurity measures in ways that are understandable and beneficial for nontechnical stakeholders. My focus remains on what truly matters—ensuring the sustainability of the businesses I serve and their overarching financial health.”

Challenges Faced by Small Businesses

Many small business owners lack the resources to effectively recover from the aftermath of cyberattacks. Just one successful phishing attempt, ransomware attack, or data breach can lead to irreversible damage, sometimes forcing a small business to shutter permanently. To combat this alarming reality, Blacksten developed two flagship programs: North Star and Data Assured. These initiatives aim to bring cybersecurity awareness and education directly to local entrepreneurs, mom-and-pop shops, and nascent startups.

“Both programs are designed to break down the complexities of cybersecurity for small businesses, offering a structured, consistent educational framework,” Blacksten explained. “Our mission is to ensure every entrepreneur—regardless of geographic location or industry—has access to the tools necessary for protecting their data, their customers, and their business’s future.”

Bridging the Gap in Cybersecurity Knowledge

During his studies in engineering, Blacksten recognized that while cybersecurity frameworks are vital, they often appear daunting and convoluted, especially for those without a technical background. Small business operators needed accessible resources that translate these complex standards into actionable insights they could implement effectively.

This realization led to the inception of the Data Assured program. Originally conceived in 2016 by Daniel Elliott, its goal was to guide small businesses through understanding their systems comprehensively. It facilitated the capture of their security policies through a Written Information Security Program (WISP) and supported the establishment of better cybersecurity practices. This hands-on approach equipped business owners with the tools to manage their cybersecurity effectively.

The Evolution of North Star

The success of Data Assured ignited the inspiration for a more cohesive, nationwide initiative, leading to the birth of North Star. Co-founded by Blacksten and Earl Gregorich, North Star expanded on the principles established by Data Assured, creating a robust network of cybersecurity experts across the United States. While Data Assured caters directly to small businesses, North Star aims to train the consultants who advise them. This ensures that small business development centers throughout America benefit from an extensive reservoir of cybersecurity knowledge.

A Legacy of Impact and Recognition

Through his innovative programs, Blacksten has empowered thousands of business owners nationwide, earning him numerous accolades, including the prestigious title of "Visionary Leader in Security Awareness" at the 2024 Cyber Security Summit. Reflecting on this achievement, he expressed, “It was an incredible honor to be recognized alongside individuals I deeply respect. I am thankful to all who supported me on this journey, particularly my teams at Data Assured and North Star.”

A Gratitude for Educational Foundations

As he looks back on his journey, Blacksten credits the University of Delaware for his esteemed success and for the positive influence he has had on small businesses. “When I first landed a role in cybersecurity, I was curious why my boss chose me over candidates with seemingly superior technical qualifications,” he shared. “He noted that while technical skills can be learned, the ability to engage in deep reasoning, ask the right questions, and seek optimal resources for solutions is rarer. Those essential qualities, in my view, are a direct result of the education I received at UD.”

How AI legalese decoder Can Help

As Jacob Blacksten champions small businesses and cybersecurity, navigating the legal complexities surrounding technology and data protection can be an arduous task. This is where the AI legalese decoder comes into play. By simplifying legal jargon and making complex legal documents more understandable, AI legalese decoder can be an invaluable tool for entrepreneurs. It empowers small business owners to grasp their legal obligations, ensuring that they are better equipped to implement effective cybersecurity policies and protections. Ultimately, it serves as a bridge, helping nascent entrepreneurs focus on growing their businesses while maintaining compliance in a complicated digital landscape.

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