Money, Marketing And MSP Growth 2026 (EP 1002)
I walk through a real client project that pushed me into the cloud with VULTR instead of AWS or Azure, and then pull back the curtain on what’s really happening with vendors, margins, commissions, and partner programs in our world. Along the way, I talk about SLIDE vs Datto, AppRiver’s partner changes, solo tech “trunk slammer” stigma, Money Marketing and Growth Month, and how I’m keeping MB Systems steady while the industry keeps shifting.
Chapters
- 01:08 Welcome to the IT Business Podcast
- 05:47 Cloud Hosting Exploration
- 19:41 Upcoming Conferences and Events
- 20:53 Acronis Event Announcement
- 23:43 Rant Warning: Caution Ahead
- 27:47 Family and Business Challenges
- 33:44 Vendor Relationships and Fairness
- 39:40 Navigating Vendor Changes
- 43:40 Industry Dynamics and Perspectives
- 52:16 Conclusion and Future Content
This one starts with a straightforward need: move a single line‑of‑business app into the cloud without spinning up a quarter‑rack, buying hardware, and babysitting it in a data center. I share how I landed on VULTR for this client, what the initial sales experience looked like, how fast I was able to spin up a Windows Server, and why the simplicity of their model was a breath of fresh air compared to my previous AWS journey. I also touch on Nerdio as a possible front‑end to AWS for those who want the power without the pain.
From there, we zoom out into the bigger picture: evaluating SLIDE against Datto, why I sent the SLIDE appliance back even though the tech worked, and what aggressive sales, disappearing commissions, and shifting partner programs are doing to MSPs who are trying to run a stable business on a budget. I talk candidly about losing 150 endpoints, keeping the doors open, supporting family, and still planning for 30 years in business while vendors like AppRiver quietly change how they pay partners. We wrap with what Money Marketing and Growth Month will cover, a preview of the ACES Mac conference, and a few Florida Man stories to keep it all human.
Acronis Event
- The Pivotal Point of IT: https://go.acronis.com/itbusinesspodcast
Florida Man
- Florida Man Arrested for Plucking the Chicken at Chick-Fil-A Drive Thru: https://linkly.link/2iQiu
- Florida Man Arrested at Walmart for Banana Trick: https://linkly.link/2iQio
- Secret Service Agent Arrested on Charges of Indecent Exposure: https://linkly.link/2iQiy
Shout-outs
- Tom Wyant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaswyant/
- Chris Flusche: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-flusche-b391037b/
- Dave Scott, Scott Growth Strategies: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davescott
- Tim Fitzpatrick, Rialto Marketing: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timpfitzpatrick
- Lisa Shorr, Shorr Success: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisashorr/
- Colin Knox, Gradient: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realityknox/
- Laura Johns, The Business Growers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapickardjohns/
- Nate Friedman, Tech Pro Marketing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natefreedman/
- Chris Wiser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwiser/
- Robin Robins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinrobins/
- Justin Esgar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinesgar/
- ACES Conference: https://acesconf.com/
Companies / Vendors / Products Mentioned
- MSP Unplugged Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mspunplugged
- Synology: https://www.synology.com
- Nerdio: https://getnerdio.com
- VULTR: https://www.vultr.com
- SLIDE: https://slide.tech/
- Datto: https://www.datto.com
- Kaseya: https://www.kaseya.com
- AppRiver: https://cybersecurity.opentext.com/legacy/appriver
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=== SHOW MUSIC:
- Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
- Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
- Author Username: AlexanderRufire
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=== Connect with Uncle Marv
🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
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