MSP Startup Stories

17. The lifecycles of technology, with Rick Beckers.

16. Like Batman and Robin, with Bobby Lind & Chadd Mazac.

(1:00 - "Tech was always a hobby of mine.") (5:00 - If you know anyone looking to break into the IT industry, let me know!) (8:30 - Weller IT Solutions is born.) (13:00 - Learning from others' mistakes.) (15:50 - "IT allowed me to help people.") (18:00 - "I might want to switch gears.") (20:00 - What is a Sales Engineer?) (24:00 - Use the product!)

14. The Best Ability is Availability, with George Bardissi.

13. Returning the favor, with Aaron Wyant.

12. Ideas are cheap, implementing them is expensive. With Jim Jessup

11. Committing to consistency, with Ross Brouse.

(2:00 - "My first business.") (7:50 - Days before the MSP business.) (15:00 - When did you hire your first employee?) (21:00 - Learning how to run a business.) (23:00 - Start with a business plan.) (29:30 - Trusting your instincts.) (32:04 - 4 day work weeks.) (37:30 - The 8th Business.)

The chips are all in, with Juan Fernandez.

8. There Is No Balance, Only Priority. With Mary Hamilton

Your Ego is Not Your Amigo, with Paco Lebron.

(2:58 - Managed services? What is that!) (5:00 - "Starting my own company.") (8:09 - How did you learn how to be a CEO?) (14:20 - Giving back to the community.) (17:24 - Never accepting 'No' for an answer.) (20:50 - "You're the Passportal guys!") (26:12 - The paperwork.) (28:00 - How to take a vacation.) (31:24 - Are those flamingos?) (34:59 - Does your MSP experience give you an advantage?)

This week we sat down with Michael Goldstein, President and CEO of Lan InfoTech out of Florida. We went back to the beginning, from his introduction to computers, his core values, and how he developed his recipe for success in the MSP space.

(1:27 - I started PCH when I graduated Drexel in 1997.) (3:35 - Taking cyber 911 calls from class.) (9:26 - What was hiring your first employee like?) (11:35 - At what point did you start to think with a business mindset?) (13:52 - The term "MSP.") (16:40 - Regular. Recurring. Revenue.) (17:55 - "I have to get serious about sales and marketing.") (21:00 - "I'm calling the help desk now!") (24:25 - "You're going to have a hustle.")

(1:38 - How working in IT before Triada Networks was a precursor to becoming an MSP.) (3:58 - Getting involved with the cybersecurity channel.) (6:25 - "I'm doing this on my own now.") (8:00 - Reflecting on decisions, the good and the bad.) (13:00 - Bringing on employees.) (15:26 - Is dialing in on a vertical focus necessary to become a successful MSP?") (20:00 - "A niche within a niche.") (24:55 - "The ability to be able to help and give to others."

(3:20 - What made Corey want to get an MBA?) (5:15 - How can we bring enterprise level IT services to the SMB market?) (6:40 - The first customer and employee.) (7:30 - "I'm in the relationship business I just happen to do IT," put it on a t-shirt!) (9:45 - Sustaining the business through a global financial crisis.) (11:35 - Taking this MSP thing serious.) (15:00 - "When one MSP coughs, we all catch the cold.") (20:00 - Removing the IT stereotypes.) (22:15 - What is 5K all about?) (26:19 - What is life like today?) 

(2:00 - How the desktop computer became an 'equalizer' in the IT industry and dropping out of college.) (6:37 - Peter's first big client.) (10:30 - Working out of the office, which also served as a bedroom.) (13:20 - Recognizing that IT's a people industry.) (14:40 - The term "MSP.") (19:40 - Supply and demand for IT professionals.) (24:30 - When the spreadsheet says one thing, and the mission calls for another.) (30:00 - How detrimental private equity money is to a business.) (37:04 - Advice for MSPs who are exploring their investment options.)

Welcome to MSP Startup Stories, a podcast that highlights the unsung heroes of the channel, and goes back to the beginning to talk about their path in cybersecurity.