As Richard hangs up his headphones on TubbTalk, the podcast for managed service providers, he shares his final thoughts on his experiences of almost 20 years of running Tubblog, the hub for MSPs.

In this short solo show, he talks about the evolution of Tubblog and how it’s been a journey of consistency. He shares what the blog became and what it’s done for him, both personally and professionally.

He celebrates his friends and mentors, shares what’s next and how you can stay up to date with his plans. He also shares his three words for 2025 and how they’ve inspired him, and gives his final thoughts.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Personal website: Richard Tubb
• GoodReads author page: Richard Tubb
• Connect with Richard on LinkedIn

In this episode, Richard talks to Laura Cook. She’s a strategic advisor who helps expert business owners earning between 250k and £3 million break free from the trap of being tied to the day-to-day business.

She works with founders who feel stretched thin and want to scale the business without losing quality or burning out. She positions them for freedom for growth and even multimillion pound exits.

Laura has helped numerous business owners to triple their valuations, slash their working hours and build businesses that thrive without them.

Richard asks Laura what business owners should do if they don’t think they need an exit strategy or think the company can’t run without them. She shares her advice for preparing for unexpected time off, setting up processes for others to follow and how to strategically prepare your MSP for sale.

Laura talks through how to make yourself a good financial acquisition and why the specific vendors in your stack matter less than the tools you offer. She talks honestly about how to sell a family or close-knit business and what to do if you think your exiting would rock the boat.

Laura explains that you don’t have to transition all in one go, and touches on both the emotional side of a business exit, having the right mindset and how to deal with a sense of loss once you do leave. And if you’re feeling burnt out, why you shouldn’t just jump ship.

Richard asks Laura to talk about some of the practicalities, too. She addresses how to assess the value of your MSP and why having a niche can make your MSP more valuable. She also explains why you should plan your exit even if you change your mind later.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Laura Cook website
• PSA/RMM tool: SuperOps
• IT management software: ConnectWise
• PSA software: Autotask
• Book: Michael Gerber: The E-Myth Revisited
• Personal brand expert: Laura Pearman
• Personality test: Gallup StrengthsFinder

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard talks to Scott Riley. He’s the founder of Inside Agent, a platform that makes complex M365 security an absolute breeze for managed service providers.

His journey has taken him from being Chief Strategy Officer at one of the UK's largest MSPs, then running his own successful cloud solution provider business, to building this platform that helps MSPs work smarter, not harder.

Scott talks about how he got into the industry and explains what Cloud Nexus (his other company) does. He shares why he started Inside Agent and how they’re leveraging AI.

Richard asks Scott how the platform keeps client data safe, how to use it for prospecting and how it helps with scalability and consistency. They discuss the pricing and contract setup and how to deploy Inside Agent for the first time.

Scott shares his learnings from past challenges, why you need to value your people, who his mentors and inspirations are, and who he is outside of work. And he also shares a long-held belief he’s changed his opinion about.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Inside Agent
• Cloud Nexus
• AI tool: ChatGPT
• AI workflow automation: n8n
• Automation platform: Zapier
• Speaker and author: Karl Palachuk
• MSP expert: Erick Simpson
• AI tool: Claude
• Documentation Software: IT Glue
• Microsoft Secure Score
• Bearded 365 Guy: Inside Agent video demo
• MSP community: The Tech Tribe
• IT expert: Lyle Kirschenbaum
• IT expert: Dan Baird

In this interview, Richard Tubb talks to Kristian Walker. He’s an Account Executive - New Business at Huntress. Huntress are one of the world’s leading cybersecurity organisations. Kristian has been making waves sharing some great advice on MSP sales through his online videos.

Kristian talks about his journey in the IT sector and what a typical day looks like for him. Richard asks him to share why many MSPs struggle with sales and his view on sales.

Kristian talks through how to demonstrate the real value in MSP services, why your approach to client sales has to change and the biggest mistake he sees MSPs make with sales, as well as why engineers should get involved in sales chats.

Richard asks Kristian for his top tips for better sales conversations, as well as the single thing you can do to have more sales in the rest of 2025. Kristian also explains the  Neighbourhood Watch solution from Huntress, what MSPs want (and don’t want) from vendors and what to look for in partner relationships.

Richard asks Kristian how he started making videos for LinkedIn and how it feels to put yourself out there. He shares why a mindset shift will give you more confidence to do video, why you don’t need fancy kit to get started, and the responses he’s had to what he puts out.

 Finally, Richard asks what’s the best part of Kristian’s job, what the job has taught him about himself and who he is outside of work. He also shares who inspires him in and out of the MSP world.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Huntress
• IT solutions: Datto
• Author and speaker: Karl Palachuk
• MSP community: GTIA
• Sales development leader at Huntress: Tracie Orisko
• VP Ecosystem Evangelism at ConnectWise: Arlin Sorensen
• Sales engineer at Huntress: Sasha Roshan
• MSP community: The Tech Tribe
• Video platform: Bonjoro

In this episode, Richard talks to Myles Peart. He's the Technical Director of NetSec, a UK-based managed service provider. The company recently won a prestigious MSP award from SuperOps and were named Emerging MSP of the Year.

Myles talks about the experience of entering awards and what it’s like being a winner. He shares his journey in the MSP space, how he set NetSec up, their current tool stack and how his wife came to join the company.

Richard asks Myles to explain why he encourages platform unification for SMBs and how his clients find using M365 almost exclusively. They discuss why a focus on cybersecurity is a good idea and the value in forming strategic business alliances.

Myles shares the NetSec approach to customer relationships and why the company focused on successful project delivery in their early days. He talks about how he keeps up with the pace of tech changes and his experiences working with coaches for business and health. 

Mentioned in This Episode

• NetSec
• PSA/RMM platform: SuperOps
• SuperOps MSP awards
• Cybersecurity tool: Heimdal Security
• Password manager: Keeper Security
• Cloud backup: N-able Cove
• Email signature software: Exclaimer
• Certification: Cyber Essentials
• Microsoft automation tool: Power Automate
• Scott Riley of Inside Agent
• News site: Legal News Wales
• Tech careers for young people CyberFirst
• UK government security centre: NCSC
• David Brereton of MysonPages
• Automation platform: Zapier
• Business event: Ideas Fest
• Entrepreneur seminar: James Sinclair Business Master Class

In this interview, Richard Tubb speaks to John Espirian, a technical copywriter for many years. Having seen success on LinkedIn, he now works exclusively as a LinkedIn consultant.

He has a private community to help people get their businesses seen online, and is the co-founder and co-host of Uplift Live, a LinkedIn-focused annual conference.

Richard asks John about AI-generated posts and responses on LinkedIn and how to find a happy medium. They discuss using company pages, Sales Navigator and the premium version of the platform.

John shares a ton of helpful advice on how to be relentlessly helpful and create content your audience will value, how to use LinkedIn to grow your business and what you should do if you feel like you’re being left behind.

Richard asks John about some dos and don’ts when using the platform, including third-party tools, sending DMs and connection requests, the benefits of getting recommendations and how to use LinkedIn Ads.

John explains what’s working well on LinkedIn right now and how to stand out. He shares some quick wins to improve your personal profile and why consistency is the key to success.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Espirian
• Connect with John on LinkedIn
• Join Espresso+
• Richard's previous interview with John
• LinkedIn Conference: UpLift Live
• LinkedIn Company Pages expert: Michelle Raymond
• LLM/AI company: OpenAI
• Content expert: Juma Bannister
• LinkedIn expert: Louise Brogan
• Book: John Espirian: Content DNA
• Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver
• Content marketing expert: Mark Schaefer
• Lunchtime LinkedIn event: UpLift Live Nano

In this episode, Richard speaks to Gerald Beuchelt. He's the Chief Information Security Officer at Acronis, a company protecting millions of endpoints across 54 data centres, many of them managed by MSPs just like you.

He's led security through IPOs, a $5 billion merger, and now heads up the Acronis Threat Research Unit, or TRU. And that's a team uncovering wild cyber threats that potentially pose a risk to all MSPs and their clients.

Richard asks Gerald to explain the role of a CISO in his own words, how he got into cybersecurity and how his background in mathematics helps him in his work today.

They explore the Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU) and what Acronis looks like in 2025, with Gerald talking through the changes they’ve made. He also offers suggestions on how MSPs can deal with vendor fatigue and how bringing everything into one place makes it easier.

Richard asks Gerald to explain what a cyber snake and chaosRAT are and how MSPs can support clients using older systems, as well as cyber threats to be aware of and how to educate clients on them.

Gerald shares his thoughts on what a security-first MSP is, why EDR and RMM are merging and how MSPs can prepare for that and how AI use by cyber criminals is getting ever more sophisticated.

He gives one practical habit MSPs can use to improve their security posture, how to get started with Acronis and make the most of its features and what’s coming next for the organisation.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Acronis
• Windows domain networks directory: Active Directory
• Computer programme: Kerberos
• Threat knowledge base: MITRE ATT&CK 
• Verizon breach report
• CRM software: Salesforce
• Cyber threat: Sidewinder ATP
• Speaker and author: Karl Palachuk
• Dark web: Digital Underground
• MSP event: MSP Global
• Cyber event: Infosec London
• Cloned Richard podcast

In this episode, Richard Tubb speaks to Polly Brennan, a renowned mental fitness coach. She supports organisations to bring themselves back to a healthier mindset, boosting resilience and wellbeing no matter what comes along.

Polly explains what mental fitness is, her approach to it and her journey from the NHS to running her business. She and Richard discuss why we should all talk about mental health and normalise the challenges people have.

Polly shares her thoughts on how MSP owners can bring the spirit of adventure into their workplace culture, why they need to give their team permission to make mistakes and how to build a connected team.

Richard asks Polly for some practical advice on how to manage wellbeing, how to create a workplace culture where mental health is openly talked about and how leaders can not only support their employees but manage their own mental health.

Polly explains why multitasking doesn’t work and why everyone needs a coach, even coaches. She also explains why simplicity and consistency are key for mental fitness and how we can all learn to be more resilient, as well as one daily habit to strengthen yours.

Richard and Polly discuss why you should start and end your day with intention and some quick tricks to get out of work mode at the end of the day, as well as why breathwork and meditation are beneficial.

Richard asks Polly about the biggest adventure of her career so far, her new membership and why she’s a Brené Brown coach. Polly talks about firewalking and glass walking and shares the books and people who’ve inspired her.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Polly’s website: Adventurous Coaching
• Koast Radio
• Richard’s interview on Koast Radio
• Richard's book: The IT Business Owner's Survival Guide
• Academic: Brené Brown
• Personality profiling: i3 profiling
• Team communication tool: Slack
• Slack polling tool: Geekbot
• Podcast interview with Kevin O' Laughlin of Nostra IT
• Podcast interview with Dray Aga of Huntress
• Free download: five first steps for MSP owners noticing mental strain
• Speaker and author: Karl Palachuk
• Podcast interview with Nigel Moore of The Tech Tribe
• Podcast interview with Dan Scott of Evolve/IT Nation
• Polly’s online on demand mental fitness programme: Adventure Map
• Polly's membership: The Adventure Club
• Logi Firewalking
• Performing circus: Let’s Circus
• Comedian: Cal Halbert
• Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
• Book: Bill Perkins: Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life
• Book: Hugh van Cuylenburg: The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness
• Book: Belinda Kirk: Adventure Revolution: The life-changing power of choosing challenge
• Book: Brené Brown: Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
• Brené Brown leadership programme: Dare to Lead
• Connected Coaching Northeast

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard Tubb speaks to Kevin O'Loughlin, the founder of Irish MSP Nostra. He started it in 2006 with the aim of making a positive impact and demonstrating Ireland's potential for global success.

From a starting pioneering cloud email adoption service in 2007, Nostra has grown to deliver €50,000,000 in annual revenue and is growing at 30% year on year through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. And it's on its journey to become a market leading, full-service IT managed service of either business.

Kevin tells Richard why he founded Nostra, their approach to cybersecurity and the tech stack they use, as well as why cannibalising the services they offer has led to growth.

Richard asks Kevin about the companies they partner with and why it’s important to nurture your vendor relationships. They also discuss why MSPs are so resistant to change in an industry where change happens constantly.

Having gone through several mergers and acquisitions, Kevin explains Nostra’s approach to them and red flags to be aware of. He also shares his tips on choosing the right tools for your MSP without feeling overwhelmed.

Finally, Richard asks Kevin how he became an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and what that meant for him and Nostra. Kevin shares how he keeps going when things are hard, and reveals his biggest inspirations.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Nostra
• MSP community: IT Nation
• Cybersecurity and backup: Datto
• Cybersecurity software: Acronis
• IT management software: Kaseya
• Cybersecurity partner: Huntress
• Cybersecurity software: Webroot
• SOC as a Service: Enhanced (Formerly InSoc) 
• MSP solutions: Barracuda
• PSA tool: Autotask
• Network security: SonicWall
• Cloud marketplace: Pax8
• Book: Rhonda Byrne: The Secret
• Investor: Ray Dalio 
• Author and speaker: Tony Robbins
• Investor: Warren Buffett 

In this episode of TubbTalk, Richard Tubb is joined by Kennedy, the founder of Email Marketing Heroes and the host of the Email Marketing Show podcast.

He’s a professional mind reader turned email marketing expert. He combines psychology, showmanship and strategy to provide his clients with seriously powerful marketing insights.

Richard asks Kennedy what MSPs are missing out on by not having a proper email marketing strategy, and how getting it right means your clients know, like and trust you.

Kennedy shares his advice on the importance of consistency, segmentation and how to get prospects onto your list, as well as why you can’t just rely on social media to grow your MSP.

He also shares his approach to writing emails and how to get personality into your emails without losing credibility, as well as how to avoid your newsletters ending up in the spam or read later folders.

Richard also asks Kennedy about his business, Email Marketing Heroes, the Email Marketing Show podcast, how he became a mind-reader and why he’s in performer mode so often, even when he’s off-stage.

Kennedy explains how to measure the ROI of marketing and emails in your MSP business, a simple automation that even the smallest MSP should have in place, and one thing you think you want from email marketing that you actually don’t.

Mentioned in This Episode

• Kennedy's website
• Book: Bob Burg: The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
• Event (Newcastle upon Tyne): The Podcast Paddock
• Download the free Fast and Forever Framework
• Sign up for Kennedy’s email newsletter