Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Products, stories, and tips for the MSP and IT Professional)
Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Products, stories, and ti…
The IT Business Podcast is a show for MSPs (Managed Service Providers) and IT Professionals providing business network support and managed services. Each episode delivers products, stories, and tips that help the MSP and IT Pro run the business better, smarter, and faster, covering everything from pricing and packaging to operations, tools, and service delivery. You’ll hear candid conversations with working MSP owners, system admins, vendors, and industry leaders who share what’s actually working in the field, including hard lessons, success stories, and the occasional “what not to do.” Topics regularly include managed services best practices, cybersecurity and compliance, Microsoft 365 and cloud, automation and documentation, vendor selection and stack building, plus the day-to-day realities of running a modern IT business. Hosted by longtime IT business owner and podcaster Marvin “Uncle Marv” Bee, the show blends real talk, practical advice, and a lighthearted tone so the MSP and IT Pro behind the network can learn, laugh, and get better every week.
Choose your favorite podcast player
Apple Podcasts PocketCasts Overcast Spotify Podcast Addict Amazon Music iHeartRadio PlayerFM TuneIn Audible Castbox Podchaser Goodpods Pandora Audacy Deezer Spreaker
May 6, 2026

Money, Marketing And MSP Growth 2026 (EP 1002)

Money, Marketing And MSP Growth 2026 (EP 1002)
Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Products, stories, and tips for the MSP and IT Professional)
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.

Money, Marketing & Growth 2026

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

Florida Man

Shout-outs

Companies / Vendors / Products Mentioned

=== SPONSORS:

=== SHOW MUSIC:

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Message