I have spent the last eight years studying and understanding digital marketing and branding as if I was gaining a degree from it.

Same time I was preaching its importance to anyone and everyone.

Business owners, pastors, and others in the local community.

During this time my motive was questioned by many. Which leads me to the purpose of this thread.

I knew that something like this would happen. I had no idea that it would be a pandemic. But something was coming to topple the industry(s).

In my opinion, COVID did not do the damage, it exposed the flaws. Many local business owners have been operating the same way for generations. Many were making it without compliant payment processing systems.

The necessity of an online presence was not even considered.

I have been reading article after article talking about how industries like restaurants and specifically bars have had to literally innovate or die.

And that is my plea at this moment. This is directly at any SMB or who desires to be one. Digital. Is. Critical!