MSP Mindset with Damien Stevens

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

Constantly hear the horror stories MSPs share about M&A? It doesn't have to be that way... On this week's episode, we're talking to Neil Medwed, VP of Corporate Development and M&A at Meriplex. What's interesting about Neil is that he was an MSP who got acquired, so he understands all aspects of the process. And in this interview, he shares some of his story with being acquired by Meriplex and how it not only helped him enlarge his future but also the future of his team.

🕵️Check out IT by Design: https://itbd.net/
🖊️Sign up for Build IT 2025: https://itbd.net/live/

🤝 Connect with Neil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmedwed/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

On this week's episode, Chris Caprio, CEO (and former CFO) of Focus Technology, joins the show to shed some light on M&A and how he and his team at Focus are handling it. It's not a simple process on either side, but Chris shares some insights on how to get started with your finances if you wanting to sell, what buyers are looking for when considering your MSP, and what you can do to get a better evaluation. If you're interested in M&A for MSPs (whether buying or selling), Chris's insights are invaluable.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:22 - From CFO to CEO of an MSP
6:40 - Understanding M&A
11:35 - How do I get started with finances?
15:05 - Getting a better evaluation
18:49 - The current m&a market
22:56 - Focus's plan for growth
30:09 - Assessing talent and clients before integration
38:36 - Selling to the executive suite
43:35 - MSP titan questions

🤝 Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-caprio-a709769/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

In this episode, Sumeet Sabharwal, CEO at Netgain, shares his experience as a top MSP and discusses their unique approach as a "vertical MSP”, tailoring its services to specific industry verticals like healthcare, accounting, and legal. He shares valuable insights on how to differentiate your offerings, deepen client relationships, and prepare for the future of the industry. His experience in building a successful vertical-focused MSP provides a roadmap for others looking to evolve their businesses and stay ahead of the curve.

🕵️Check out IT by Design: https://itbd.net/
🖊️Sign up for Build IT 2025: https://itbd.net/live/

🤝 Connect with Sumeet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssabharwal/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

On this week's episode, Mark Porter, CEO of High Wire Networks, joins the show as our most recent MSP Titan. In his discussion, Mark shares some of the adversity he's faced along his journey of growing several successful businesses (one from $14M to $28M in 14 months). From laying off 30% of his staff to dealing with intense family situations, he's made it through and lives by the motto "this chapter only makes the ending sweeter". He also discusses 1. the importance of enjoying other people's success + caring for you team and 2. how to do deal with the mental rollercoaster of running a business. Business is tough, but the rewards are worth it!

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:50 - When and why he knew to sale
19:58 - Employees who don't want to you leave/investing into others
32:51 - Handling the mental rollercoaster
54:57 - Enjoy watching others succeed
1:06:03 - MSP Titan Questions
1:25:11 - Conclusion

🤝 Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-porter-highwire/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

In this week's bonus episode, we recorded at the Start Grow Manage Summit in Philadelphia, and our special guest is Keith Willis, owner of ECX Systems. Keith shares one thing his MSP does different than the rest, and that's hiring advanced generalists, not specialists... But he shares why that's a really good. Then he shares about the dangers of burning out yourself and/or your team and how his team can help.

✅ Check out Start Grow Manage and elevate your MSP like Keith did:
https://startgrowmanage.com/

🤝 Connect with Keith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taloncc/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Browning, CEO of SinglePoint, to explore his journey of growing an MSP from $2.2 million to $23 million (going from $10M to over $20M in 2019 along...). Greg shares hard-earned lessons from scaling his company, navigating the risks and rewards of rapid growth, and lessons learned from managing risk with major contracts.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:09 - Exponential growth and not being reliant on one large client
12:14 - Greg's rise from tech to CEO
17:00 - When he realized he was the bottleneck
20:42 - Transitioning from founder-led sales
28:20 - Maintaining culture during growth
32:13 - Choosing to be CEO & working on the business
39:31 - What do you give away as the owner?
44:05 - MSP Titan Questions
57:23 - Conclusion

🤝 Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/singlepointglobalceo/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

In this week's bonus episode, we recorded at the Start Grow Manage Summit in Philadelphia, and our special guest is Stewart Garzarelli, CEO of Agiliti. Today, Stewart's sharing how he got into IT and it's not your typical path (it helped him heal from a traumatic brain injury). Then, he shares some of what he's done to make his MSP successful, including how he evaluates new tech hires (which I can promise you it's different than everyone else, but you should start implementing it).

✅ Check out Start Grow Manage and elevate your MSP like Stewart did:
https://startgrowmanage.com/

🤝 Connect with Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarzarelli/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

In this week's episode, we continue our MSP Titan series with Justin Esgar, CEO of Virtua Computers and host of the All Things MSP podcast. And if you've ever struggled with not feeling like enough, then this is the episode for you (should be 100% of us!). Justin dives deep into imposter syndrome, even sharing how after 16 years in the industry he still struggles with it, but he also shares his ways for dealing with it and overcoming. We also dive into getting out of your comfort zone, being ok with risk, and Justin's why for all that he does (hint: it's all about people).

🤝 Connect with Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinesgar/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

In this week's bonus episode, we recorded at the Start Grow Manage Summit in Philadelphia, and our special guest is Ken Nero, CEO of IKON Business Group. Ken dives deep into what his driving force is in running his MSP. It's not all about the money, but about having a mission that his MSP can help further, a mission that will help minorities in America earn high paying jobs.

✅ Check out Start Grow Manage and elevate your MSP like Ken did:
https://startgrowmanage.com/

🤝 Connect with Ken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennero/
🤝 Check out his MSP and foundation: https://www.ikonbusinessgroup.com/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g

✅ Not sure about full support, we’re giving away our process for you to check out for yourself: https://bit.ly/4hCw4Wi

On this week's episode, Alan Crowetz, CEO of Infostream, joins the show to share the lessons he's learned over the last 30 years of doing business. He shares why it's important to collaborate with other MSPs, even competitors; the importance of being on camera and how it generates leads; and learning the importance of leading the team by taking time off and not overworking yourself.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:11 - How he got started
8:11 - What would he change?
12:50 - Getting on TV stations for marketing
17:44 - Where he's at now
25:04 - His biggest challenge
30:15 - His focus on sales and marketing
38:17 - Biggest lesson learned
40:45 - Saying "no" to prospects
45:00 - Leading your team with productivity and time off
55:45 - Resources he recommends
57:40 - Conclusion

🤝 Connect with Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/computer-support/
🤝 Check out his MSP: https://www.infostream.cc/
🤝 Connect with Damien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dstevens

📺 Watch on YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzzyR7yX9l9XQaZCBp0v0g