MSP Unplugged

Paco Lebron

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.

  1. 2 HRS AGO

    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

    43 min

  2. FEB 11

    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.

    46 min

  3. FEB 3

    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.

    45 min

  4. JAN 27

    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/

    1h 3m

  5. JAN 20

    Sell a Copier! with Chris Cool

    In this episode of MSP Unplugged, host Paco Lebron sits down with Chris Cool, Founder and CEO of Cool Technology Group Inc., a Houston/Texas-based managed IT services provider specializing in cybersecurity, cloud solutions, remote/on-site support, and more for small to medium businesses. Chris shares his inspiring journey—from his days as a University of Colorado student-athlete spending more time in the mountains than in class, to diving into the copier and telecom industry in Dallas in the early 2000s. He climbed the ranks quickly, starting as an Account Executive at Intermedia Communications and rising to Senior VP on the West Coast (while based in Houston), building, growing, and even selling multiple organizations along the way. The conversation gets real about launching Cool Technology Group in January 2020—just as the pandemic hit—and how Chris navigated that chaos to build a thriving MSP. He opens up about the secret sauce to standing out in a crowded market, the toughest hurdles he's faced (and how he pushed through), his proudest moments, balancing family life in Tomball, Texas, with running the company, and his outlook on emerging trends like cybersecurity threats and tech advancements that small businesses need to watch. Whether you're a solo MSP operator or scaling a team, this episode is packed with practical insights, entrepreneurial grit, and advice for anyone dreaming of starting or growing their own IT services business.

    53 min

  6. JAN 13

    Back in the Studio: MSP Updates, Big Changes & Lessons Learned

    Paco's back in the studio after a packed stretch — welcome to the first episode of MSP Unplugged's return! Catch up on the latest: Quick tips & tricks: Affordable branded backups with Aaron's Auto Glass Fabs (just $66!), seamless data migration via SQLBackupAndFTP, and troubleshooting ControlOne VPN/DNS issues. Big updates at ProdigyTeks: Ditching bundled Microsoft costs (saving thousands!), shifting from flat IG tiers to flexible Service Desk, NOC, and SOC offerings — now with built-in legal protections if clients opt out of security. Real talk from the last 6 months managing a roll-up: Everyone faces the same resource challenges (time & money), no one's "better" — just different approaches, and how I can now offer MSPs real lifelines for scaling, exit, or legacy. Community vibes: Hosting a local MSP lunch with JATAG Solutions (DM if interested!), plus big news on TechCon Unplugged (date/location reveal soon!).   RESOURCES & LINKS - Fab's AutoBackup - SQLBackupAndFTP   CTAs - Subscribe on Apple/Spotify/YouTube: https://mspunplugged.com - Join the newsletter: https://mspunplugged.com   CREDITS Hosts: Paco Lebron - MSP Owners Group / ProdigyTeks

    28 min

  7. JAN 6

    New Year Catch-Up: Jeff Halash Returns After 4 Years!

    Join us live right before we ring the new year as we reconnect with Jeff Halash, former host of the Computer Repair Podcast and MSP Unplugged. After four years away, Jeff shares what he's been up to, his thoughts on the MSP industry today, and insights from his journey. Don't miss this nostalgic and informative conversation for tech enthusiasts and MSP pros alike!     MSP Unplugged https://mspunplugged.com/ Paco Lebron from ProdigyTeks:Powered by MSP Owners Group Email: paco@mspunplugged.com John Dubinsky formerly of the Maven Group Jeff Halash formerly of TechNut PC

    57 min

  8. 2025-12-24

    UniFi Ubiquiti: One Year Later – Lessons Learned & Pro Tips

    In this Christmas Eve Edition, We discuss our Network Upgrade Insights at ProdigyTeks! Join us as our very own John Dubinsky joins the podcast to discuss our journey from our previous network provider to UniFi network equipment. We'll cover practical tips, smart tricks, and key lessons learned while adopting the new UniFi stack. Perfect for MSPs and IT pros looking to streamline their network game!   --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us! --------------------------------------------------- MSP Unplugged https://mspunplugged.com/ Paco Lebron from ProdigyTeks:Powered by MSP Owners Group Email: paco@mspunplugged.com John Dubinsky formerly of the Maven Group

    52 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Paco Lebron
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 931230
  • Show Website
    MSP Unplugged

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