Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast: Practical Business Advice for MSPs and IT Professionals
Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast: Practical Business Advice…
Running a managed service provider (MSP) or IT services business takes more than technical expertise. You need to win customers, grow revenue, protect profitability, manage vendors, deliver great service, and keep up with a changing IT industry. That’s where Uncle Marv comes in.

Hosted by longtime IT business owner Marvin Bee, aka Uncle Marv, the IT Business Podcast delivers practical business advice, real-world lessons, candid conversations, and industry insights to help MSP owners, IT service providers, IT consultants, system administrators, and technology professionals run their businesses better, smarter, and faster.

Topics include MSP business growth, pricing and profitability, sales and marketing, managed services operations, cybersecurity, compliance, Microsoft 365, cloud services, automation, service desk efficiency, vendor management, technology stack decisions, and customer relationships.

Hear from experienced MSP owners, IT business leaders, industry experts, and technology vendors about what works, what doesn’t, and what it takes to build a stronger IT business. Get an honest look at industry trends, vendor claims, emerging technologies, and the decisions that affect your customers, your team, and your bottom line.

Whether you’re starting an MSP, growing an established IT services company, managing client networks, or looking for better tools and smarter ways to work, Uncle Marv brings the conversation back to what matters: practical knowledge you can put to work.

Run your business better, smarter, and faster.
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May 7, 2026

Money, Marketing And MSP Growth 2026 (EP 1002)

Money, Marketing And MSP Growth 2026 (EP 1002)
Uncle Marv’s IT Business Podcast: Practical Business Advice for MSPs and IT Professionals
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.

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