MSP Unplugged

Hosted by Paco Lebron

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

This podcast is where we discuss different ways to run your I.T. business whether you are a one-person shop or leading a growing IT Service provider. This is the place for you.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 19, 2026Episode 30336 min

How to Scale an MSP with Partners: Derrick Wlodarz (FireLogic) Returns

Derrick Wlodarz, Founder & President of FireLogic, returns to MSP Unplugged for a deep dive into long-term MSP growth and the power of strategic partnerships. In this returning guest episode, Derrick shares: What's changed at FireLogic since his last appearance How he's scaled the business over 15+ years from startup to a respected Chicago-area MSP The evolution of his approach to vendor and technology partners How to choose, manage, and get real value from partnerships (without partner sprawl) Lessons learned about scaling sustainably while building strong strategic alliances Advice for MSP owners looking to grow smarter in 2026 If you're an MSP owner focused on long-term growth, building better vendor relationships, or scaling without burning out, this conversation is full of practical, battle-tested wisdom from someone who's been in the trenches for over 15 years. Host: Paco Lebron Podcast: MSP Unplugged – The place to learn how to run your MSP. 🔗 Connect with Derrick & FireLogic • FireLogic: firelogic.com • LinkedIn: Search "Derrick Wlodarz FireLogic" Tune in every week for real talk on running and growing your MSP. Watch the full video on YouTube.com/MSPUnplugged. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Don't forget to grab your tickets for TechCon Unplugged Chicago – Sept 17-19 at https://techConUnplugged.com Thank you for watching/listening — we'll see you next time on MSP Unplugged.

May 12, 2026Episode 30236 min

Simplifying Cybersecurity for MSPs: Joe Sykora (CEO of Coro) on Tool Sprawl and AI in 2026

Joe Sykora, CEO of Coro Cybersecurity, joins MSP Unplugged to discuss how MSPs can simplify their security stack, reduce tool sprawl, and deliver better protection to small and mid-sized businesses. In this episode, Joe shares: Why traditional multi-tool cybersecurity approaches are failing most MSPs How Coro's all-in-one, single-agent platform is changing the game for lean MSP teams The role of automation and AI in reducing alert fatigue What a truly MSP-friendly cybersecurity solution looks like in 2026 Practical advice on turning cybersecurity from a cost center into a profitable growth driver Insights from his extensive channel experience as a former MSP owner and vendor leader Whether you're struggling with too many security tools or looking to build a more efficient and profitable security offering, this conversation delivers actionable insights you can use immediately. Host: Paco Lebron Podcast: MSP Unplugged – The place to learn how to run your MSP. 🔗 Connect with Joe & Coro Cybersecurity • Coro Cybersecurity: coro.net • Coro Partner Program (Coro Compass) Tune in every week for real talk on running and growing your MSP. Watch the full video on YouTube.com/MSPUnplugged. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Don't forget to grab your tickets for TechCon Unplugged Chicago – Sept 17-19 at https://www.techConUnplugged.com Thank you for watching/listening — we'll see you next time on MSP Unplugged.

April 24, 2026Episode 30126 min

From Corporate IT Director to MSP Owner: Ron Cervantes on Building C Solutions IT

Ron Cervantes, Founder and President of C Solutions IT in Orlando, Florida, joins MSP Unplugged to share his journey from corporate IT Director (managing IT for one of the largest transportation companies in the U.S.) to building and scaling a successful managed services provider. In this episode, Ron opens up about: Transitioning from enterprise IT to running his own MSP The early struggles and key pivots that helped him grow C Solutions IT Lessons learned serving small and mid-sized businesses in the Orlando market Building a strong team and delivering high-touch IT support + cybersecurity What he's seeing in the industry right now and advice for MSP owners at any stage Whether you're thinking about making the jump from corporate to entrepreneurship, currently in the early or growth stages of your MSP, or just want real-world insights from a fellow practitioner, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and relatable stories. Host: Paco Lebron Podcast: MSP Unplugged – The place to learn how to run your MSP. 🔗 Connect with Ron & C Solutions IT • Website: csolutionsit.com • LinkedIn: Ron Cervantes | LinkedIn Tune in every week for real talk on running and growing your MSP. Watch the full video on YouTube.com/MSPUnplugged. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Don't forget to grab your tickets for TechCon Unplugged Chicago – Sept 17-19 at https://www.techConUnplugged.com Thank you for listening — we'll see you next time on MSP Unplugged.

April 2, 2026Episode 30053 min

Google Gold for MSPs: Nate Freedman on Reviews, Local SEO & Lead Generation in 2026

Nate Freedman of MSP Sites and TechPro Marketing joins MSP Unplugged to share battle-tested Google strategies that are actually generating leads for MSPs right now. In this episode, we break down how to turn Google into a predictable client acquisition engine — from turning Google Reviews into your #1 sales tool to optimizing your Google Business Profile, dominating local search, and adapting to AI-driven changes that are reshaping how prospects find MSPs in 2026. We cover: Why crossing 100 Google Reviews can boost your visitor-to-booked-call conversion by 40%+ The biggest mistakes MSPs make with Google tools that kill momentum Quick wins and playbooks to make your Google Business Profile a consistent lead generator How to evolve your Google strategy as AI Overviews and zero-click searches change the game The one Google-focused experiment Nate recommends MSPs run in the next 30-60 days Whether you're struggling with consistent lead flow or want to transform your website and Google presence into a reliable growth machine, this episode delivers practical, data-backed tactics from someone who manages marketing for over 100 MSPs and has helped generate 20,000+ high-quality leads. Host: Paco Lebron Podcast: MSP Unplugged – The place to learn how to run your MSP. 🔗 Resources from Nate Freedman: • MSP Sites: https://mspsites.com • Tech Pro Marketing: https://www.techpromarketing.com • MSP Lead Generation Services: https://www.techpromarketing.com/services/msp-lead-generation-services/ Tune in every week for real talk on running and growing your MSP. You can watch the full video episode on YouTube.com/MSPUnplugged. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Don't forget to grab your tickets for TechCon Unplugged Chicago – Sept 17-19 at TechConUnplugged.com Thank you for listening — we'll see you next time on MSP Unplugged.

March 25, 2026Episode 29927 min

From Chicago to Peoria: Pierre Anyansi on Proactive IT, Security & Building a Local MSP

Pierre Anyansi of Any IT Support sits down with us to talk about his journey from network security engineering to founding a boutique IT company focused on proactive support, secure remote solutions, and helping small businesses grow through technology. We explore the "farming technology" philosophy, balancing home and business clients, turning education into prevention, and fortifying your own operations while supporting others. A raw, relatable conversation full of real-world lessons for MSP owners and IT pros working with smaller or regional clients. Tune in every Week. You can catch us Video podcast on Youtube.com/MSPUnplugged. Like, Subscribe and hit that notification button to be notified whenever a new episode is available. You can also take us on the go with your favorite podcatcher app show notes. Don't forget get your tickets at TechConunplugged.com Thank you for listening and we will see you next time on MSP Unplugged.

March 18, 2026Episode 29833 min

Rick Smith Unplugged: Pivots, Hard Calls & the 2026 MSP Game Plan

Co-host Rick Smith drops in for a reflective deep dive: Recent pivots that reshaped his MSP (and why some changes hurt before they helped), key lessons from the past year, and his no-BS predictions/advice for MSPs finishing Q1 strong and crushing the back half of 2026. If you're debating a big shift in your business—pricing, tools, culture, or strategy—this one's loaded with actionable takeaways from the trenches. Tune in weekly on https://youtube.com/mspunplugged for more actionable MSP advice. Like, subscribe, and hit notifications! Also available on your favorite podcast app. Don't forget tickets for TechConUnplugged at https://techconunplugged.com.

February 24, 202643 min

Secure Your Own House First: Degly Mendez on MSP Cyber Education

In this insightful episode of MSP Unplugged, host Paco Lebron welcomes Degly Mendez, CEO of Avanzar IT Systems (South Pasadena, CA) and Vice Chair of the GTIA ISAO Advisory Group. Degly shares his journey into MSP leadership, his focus on cybersecurity for small/mid-sized businesses, and practical ways to make education a real defensive layer. Key takeaways include: Building ongoing cybersecurity awareness for non-tech-savvy SMB clients (beyond one-offs like "Be Cyber Aware" sessions) — challenges, retention tips, and scaling methods (webinars, tools, gamified scenarios) Metrics and stories showing when education truly reduces incidents "Secure your own house first": Fortifying Avanzar internally (team training, processes, tough investments) to avoid being the weak link Common MSP pitfalls on internal security (vendor risks, tool sprawl, early practice drops) and how to fix them Using the "Run, Protect, Grow" IT budgeting framework to prioritize Protect (including people education) without it feeling like a cost sink Evolving programs for AI-driven threats/opportunities — recent changes to stay ahead Best advice for resource-constrained MSPs: Scaling education without burnout or client overload, plus one non-negotiable step to fortify your own business now Rapid-fire: Underrated resource/habit for scaling efforts, biggest "aha" on internal ops, and the one cyber education practice he'd mandate industry-wide Perfect for MSP owners, cybersecurity pros, and IT leaders focused on proactive defense, people-powered security, and leading by example in a resource-tight world. Tune in weekly on YouTube.com/MSPUnplugged for more actionable MSP advice. Like, subscribe, and hit notifications! Also available on your favorite podcast app. Don't forget tickets for TechConUnplugged at TechConunplugged.com. #MSP #Cybersecurity #CyberEducation #MSPsecurity #RunProtectGrow #SMBcyber #ITLeadership

February 11, 2026Episode 29546 min

MSP Leadership Strifes: Marcial Velez on Culture, Burnout & Growth

In this powerful episode of MSP Unplugged, host Paco Lebron welcomes back Marcial Velez, Founder & CEO of Xperteks—a nationally recognized NYC-based MSP honored on CRN's MSP 500 list multiple years running. Marcial opens up about the real "strifes" of leadership: Building and evolving Xperteks from startup to award-winning firm—what unexpected changes and make-or-break moments tested him most Avoiding founder burnout through rituals, boundaries, and staying sane during crises Intentionally shaping team culture in a high-pressure IT world (remote/hybrid challenges, motivation, loyalty) — one change that transformed morale Scaling without losing the family feel: navigating growth tensions, roles, and vision clashes Common leadership pitfalls MSPs make (over-relying on tech fixes vs. people processes) and how to counter them A raw mistake in culture-building he wishes he'd caught earlier—and the key lesson on the human side of MSPs Why culture will be make-or-break in the next few years (generational shifts, AI workflows, talent wars) + the one people/culture investment paying off now Rapid-fire: Top leadership resource lately, current "strife" he's tackling, and the one industry cultural fix he'd wave a wand for Packed with vulnerable, practical insights for MSP owners, leaders, and teams—whether you're solo, scaling, or fighting to keep culture strong. Tune in weekly on YouTube.com/MSPUnplugged for unfiltered MSP leadership advice. Like, subscribe, and hit notifications so you never miss an episode! Available on your favorite podcast app.

February 3, 2026Episode 29444 min

Making IT Boring: Boutique MSP Lessons w/ Sean Inman of Inman Technology Solutions

In this episode of MSP Unplugged, host Paco Lebron sits down with Sean Inman, CISSP, Founder & CEO of Inman Technologies in Fort Worth, TX. Sean shares his journey from enterprise information security to launching his own MSP in 2018, driven by frustrations with corporate IT and a passion for serving small to mid-sized businesses. Key highlights: Turning "human firewall" training from a checkbox into real incident reduction (with surprising client stories & metrics) Shifting from break-fix to proactive, predictable monthly revenue models — pitfalls, scaling tips, and advice for hybrid MSPs Emerging cyber threats MSPs should prioritize right now (beyond phishing/ransomware basics) and how he's adapting his stack The hardest parts of scaling a high-touch boutique MSP: talent, burnout, knowledge sharing, and one change he'd make if starting over Biggest mindset traps leaving businesses (and MSPs) vulnerable — plus a quick diagnostic question to uncover gaps 3-5 year make-or-break trends for MSPs: cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and the one investment Sean urges IT pros to make today Rapid-fire: Underrated security tool/practice, biggest "wish I knew sooner" business lesson, and the one tedious MSP task he'd automate overnight Whether you're considering going independent, optimizing your MSP operations, or staying ahead in cybersecurity and AI, this episode delivers practical, timely insights from a thoughtful leader in the space. Tune in weekly on YouTube.com/MSPUnplugged for more unfiltered MSP advice. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Also available on your favorite podcast app.

January 27, 2026Episode 2931 hr 2 min

Classic Replay: The LinkedIn Advantage – Unlock MSP Leads with LinkedIn

Flashback Tuesday: Fan-Favorite Edition! Kicking off the week with one of our all-time most requested episodes — the LinkedIn masterclass that MSP owners and pros keep circling back to for serious business wins. In this evergreen episode of MSP Unplugged, we revisit our powerhouse conversation with Richard Bliss, founder of BlissPoint Consulting and a leading voice in LinkedIn branding and social selling. Richard delivers straight-to-the-point, actionable tactics to turn LinkedIn into a true business development powerhouse — far beyond just a digital resume. We break down how MSPs can establish real authority, spark authentic prospect conversations, and convert engagement into measurable revenue growth. Whether you're reviving an old profile or sharpening an existing strategy, these insights are just as powerful today as they were when this episode first dropped — and that's exactly why fans keep asking for the replay! 💡 Timeless Takeaways That Still Hit Hard: Optimizing your LinkedIn profile to attract your ideal clients and partners Posting vs. engaging: Why you need both dialed in for maximum visibility The unbeatable combo of consistency + genuine storytelling to stand out The most common LinkedIn traps MSPs fall into (and simple fixes to avoid them) Richard's go-to tools and proven tactics for expanding reach and driving leads 📢 If you're an MSP owner, sales leader, or tech pro who's been sleeping on LinkedIn's potential, this fan-favorite will fire you up and give you the roadmap to make it a consistent lead-gen machine. It's no surprise this one stays in heavy rotation — pure gold that never goes out of style! Full Video Podcast (Flashback Episode): https://youtu.be/psoXnE2kZAk Connect with us! MSP Unplugged https://mspunplugged.com/ Paco Lebron from ProdigyTeks Email: paco@mspunplugged.com Rick Smith from Renactus Technology Email: rick@mspnplugged.com Corey L Kirkendoll from 5K Technical Services https://linkedin.com/in/coreykirkendoll/ Richard Bliss from BlissPoint Consulting https://www.linkedin.com/in/bliss/

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