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. 24 D’ABR.

    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.

    26 min
  2. 2 D’ABR.

    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.

    53 min
  3. 24 DE FEBR.

    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
  4. 11 DE FEBR.

    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
  5. 3 DE FEBR.

    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

Informació

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.

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