Not Selling Out: The Secret to Halo's Success with Paul Hamilton
In this episode, Darren Strong, founder of Scalable and Mit Patel, founder, and former owner of London-based MSP, Netstar, sat down with and Paul Hamilton, CEO of Halo, to delve into the hot topic of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the managed service provider (MSP) market. With many MSPs considering selling their businesses, Paul shares his unconventional approach of focusing on long-term growth rather than selling. His philosophy revolves around creating lasting success by retaining full ownership and avoiding the pressure of short-term financial gains from M&A. Paul emphasises the importance of long-term thinking, explaining that Halo’s DNA is built on efficient, frugal operations, and fostering a culture of trust, leadership, and internal promotions. Throughout the episode, Paul details Halo’s strategic decision to avoid selling for at least ten years, a move that contrasts with the prevailing industry mindset. He explains how Halo has built its success through organic growth, maintaining high profit margins, and building a team of "mini CEOs" who take ownership and leadership within the company. This strategy has enabled him to maintain work-life balance while driving Halo’s impressive 100% year-over-year growth for seven consecutive years. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for MSPs considering their next steps. Paul suggests that instead of selling, MSPs should focus on empowering their teams, developing leaders, and delegating responsibilities. By doing so, MSP owners can avoid burnout and continue to grow their businesses sustainably. The episode concludes with key takeaways about the power of team culture, trust, and long-term vision in driving business success, with Paul’s final thoughts on how empowering people is central to his leadership philosophy. Timestamps: 00:00 Long-Term Investment in People and Culture. Paul advocates for long-term investment in people and culture, creating a sustainable business model that doesn't rely on selling as a success metric. 15:55 Strategic Focus and Leadership. In 2017, Paul realised Halo needed strategic focus and brought in leaders for different product lines. He emphasises the importance of trust, delegation, and fostering a positive, collaborative work environment for growth. 27:41 Maintaining Purpose and Joy. Paul notes that many MSP owners lose passion and feel pressured to sell but often regret it, as money doesn’t bring lasting fulfilment. He emphasises maintaining purpose and joy through strong leadership delegation and a positive work culture. 41:21 Advantages of Internal Ownership. Paul trusts his team, delegating fully to foster growth. Halo's advantages over private equity-owned companies are: strong internal culture, fast decision-making, long-term customer focus. Success comes from having the right people and enjoying the journey. 51:42 Team Mentality and Startup Mindset. Paul emphasises unity, trust, and delegation, fostering a strong team mentality. He values a startup mindset, investing in employees, and ensuring everyone feels part of the company's mission as it grows. Never miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast now to get early access to the latest insights and strategies for MSP success. Connect with us: Scalable Find out more about Scalable: https://www.scalablemsp.co.uk/ Connect with Darren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-strong/ Follow Scalable on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalable-msp/ Subscribe to Scalable’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOvzDJxslhks8LbaZQzOb7g HaloPSA • Find out more about HaloPSA: https://halopsa.com/ • Connect with Paul Hamilton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-hamilton-halo/ • Follow HaloPSA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/halopsa/ • Subscribe to HaloPSA’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_FvVJl62V0p6ssWpWrQ5w • Connect with Mit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mit-patel-7334ba
