In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Brian Daughhetee, CEO of ANC Group, and Ashley Sage, Director of Sales, to unpack what it really takes to protect and scale a business in today’s fast-changing cybersecurity landscape.

Brian shares the story of launching ANC Group more than 25 years ago—from his early days as a middle school teacher to building a trusted technology and cybersecurity partner serving businesses across finance, law, manufacturing, nonprofits, and government. Ashley offers a front-line perspective on sales leadership, relationship-driven growth, and helping small and mid-sized businesses make smart, proactive technology decisions.

Together, we dive into:

Why cybersecurity is no longer optional for small and mid-sized businesses
Common mistakes leaders make when outsourcing IT and security
The real-world impact of ransomware, reputational risk, and compliance failures
Outdated security practices that are still putting companies at risk
How remote work, VPNs, SASE, and behavioral-based security are reshaping protection in 2026
The importance of long-term technology planning and trusted partnerships

This conversation goes beyond technology to explore leadership, entrepreneurship, trust, and what it means to deliver true peace of mind to business owners. If you’re a leader trying to future-proof your company while navigating an increasingly complex tech world, this episode is a must-listen.

Brian Daughhetee and Ashley Sage: | EP 54