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.

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Sept. 9, 2026

PitchIT 2026 Finalists Revealed (EP 1078)

Show Notes
Guest Profile

Sean Lardo, better known around the channel as Mr. IT Nation, joined me for a special conversation following the announcement of the IT Nation PitchIT 2026 finalists: Lemhi, Synthreo, and Blacksmith InfoSec. After a 16-week competitive cohort built around coaching, refinement, and practice, these three companies are now preparing to take the stage at IT Nation Connect Global in Orlando.

=== Chapters

00:23 PitchIT 2026 Finalists Announcement
01:47 Meet Sean Lardo of IT Nation
03:07 Behind the PitchIT Finalist Reveal
06:01 How PitchIT Vendors Refine Their Message
08:40 Uncle Marv’s PitchIT Rankings and Prize Debate
11:12 MSP Feedback on PitchIT Vendor Interviews
13:22 Preparing Vendors for Real Sales Conversations
14:14 The Best Questions MSPs Should Ask Vendors
17:04 Evaluating Vendor Fit Beyond Price
19:12 What to Expect at PitchIT Orlando
21:09 Finalist Congratulations and IT Nation Connect Closing

=== Guest: Sean Lardo, ConnectWise / The IT Nation

Website: https://www.connectwise.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlardo

=== Companies / Vendors / Products / Books

ConnectWise: https://www.connectwise.com/
The IT Nation: https://itnation.connectwise.com/
PitchIT: https://itnation.connectwise.com/pitchit
IT Nation Connect Global: https://itnation.connectwise.com/connect-global
Lemhi: https://lemhi.com/
Synthreo: https://synthreo.ai/
Blacksmith InfoSec: https://blacksmithinfosec.com/

=== SPONSORS:

Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/
Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip
Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid
Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready

=== SHOW MUSIC:

Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo
Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET
Author Username: AlexanderRufire
Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML

=== 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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