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#66 – Don’t Be That Guy: Sell Your Business Already… or Don’t (Ryan Alter)
Are you building a business you love—or flying a plane with no destination?
In this Don’t Be That Guy episode of the BMK Vision Podcast, Josh Peterson and former MSP owner Ryan Alter dig into one of the hardest questions in ownership: Should you sell your MSP or keep running it—and on what terms? Together they explore burnout, lifestyle businesses, valuations, and what it really takes to land the plane where you actually want to end up.
Guest Introduction
Ryan Alter is the former owner and CEO of Alter Enterprise, a Missoula, Montana–based MSP he grew from a one-man shop into a 25-person team before selling to Fisher’s Technology in 2023. Drawing on nearly two decades in IT services, Ryan now mentors MSP owners on financial clarity, operational maturity, and exit strategy—helping them decide whether to double-down on growth or intentionally plan a sale that protects clients, staff, and sanity.
🎙 What We Cover in This Episode
• The exact moment Ryan realized he was “done” and ready to sell
• How COVID-era exhaustion and a $2M plateau pushed a critical decision
• Lifestyle business vs. growth business: honest definitions (without judgment)
• Why many MSPs slowly go out of business while still “looking successful”
• What buyers actually value: recurring revenue, margins, and clean data
• How project-heavy revenue and weak AGP drag your multiple down
• The next generation of MSPs: advisory, AI, and deep business-process work
• How to run your MSP as if you’ll sell tomorrow—even if you never do
• Practical advice for employees when their company is getting sold
• How to “name your airport” and set a clear financial landing target
Plus: why being brutally honest about your own goals is the most important KPI you’ll ever track.
👤 Guest Links
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-alter-896a5b11
Company / Exit Story: https://www.fisherstech.com/alter-enterprise/
🚀 Subscribe & Follow BMK Vision
YouTube (Video Podcast):
https://www.youtube.com/@beringmckinleyvision?sub_confirmation=1
Learn More About the Vision Platform:
https://beringmckinley.com/vision
Apply to Be a Guest:
https://beringmckinley.com/bering-mckinley-podcast-blog
View all episodes
By Josh PetersonAre you building a business you love—or flying a plane with no destination?
In this Don’t Be That Guy episode of the BMK Vision Podcast, Josh Peterson and former MSP owner Ryan Alter dig into one of the hardest questions in ownership: Should you sell your MSP or keep running it—and on what terms? Together they explore burnout, lifestyle businesses, valuations, and what it really takes to land the plane where you actually want to end up.
Guest Introduction
Ryan Alter is the former owner and CEO of Alter Enterprise, a Missoula, Montana–based MSP he grew from a one-man shop into a 25-person team before selling to Fisher’s Technology in 2023. Drawing on nearly two decades in IT services, Ryan now mentors MSP owners on financial clarity, operational maturity, and exit strategy—helping them decide whether to double-down on growth or intentionally plan a sale that protects clients, staff, and sanity.
🎙 What We Cover in This Episode
• The exact moment Ryan realized he was “done” and ready to sell
• How COVID-era exhaustion and a $2M plateau pushed a critical decision
• Lifestyle business vs. growth business: honest definitions (without judgment)
• Why many MSPs slowly go out of business while still “looking successful”
• What buyers actually value: recurring revenue, margins, and clean data
• How project-heavy revenue and weak AGP drag your multiple down
• The next generation of MSPs: advisory, AI, and deep business-process work
• How to run your MSP as if you’ll sell tomorrow—even if you never do
• Practical advice for employees when their company is getting sold
• How to “name your airport” and set a clear financial landing target
Plus: why being brutally honest about your own goals is the most important KPI you’ll ever track.
👤 Guest Links
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-alter-896a5b11
Company / Exit Story: https://www.fisherstech.com/alter-enterprise/
🚀 Subscribe & Follow BMK Vision
YouTube (Video Podcast):
https://www.youtube.com/@beringmckinleyvision?sub_confirmation=1
Learn More About the Vision Platform:
https://beringmckinley.com/vision
Apply to Be a Guest:
https://beringmckinley.com/bering-mckinley-podcast-blog