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Managing an IT business demands resilience—something Paul learned firsthand through a series of staffing nightmares that nearly brought his growing MSP to its knees.

After finding his first promising technician, the pandemic upended everything. When business stabilized faster than expected, bringing that tech back proved complicated due to childcare issues and remote work distractions. Then came the real challenge: a parade of mismatched hires. One refused to adapt to company processes, another lacked both technical skills and people skills, and a third quit abruptly after realizing "how much he hated" IT work. Suddenly, Paul found himself alone again, handling all technical work while trying to run the business.

The turning point came when Paul revamped his hiring and training procedures with help from industry peers. "Hire slowly and fire quickly if they're not the right fit" became his mantra. He discovered valuable team members in the Philippines who demonstrated strong work ethic while helping manage costs. Eventually, he built a team of eight, even successfully acquiring another company that doubled his business size.

What makes Paul's story remarkable isn't just his business persistence but his unwavering positive attitude despite simultaneous personal challenges—building a house, supporting a partner through medical issues, and navigating life's complications. His philosophy? "Every day is really just a blessing... If my business goes out of business tomorrow, I'm still going to be fine." This perspective helps him see each setback as a learning opportunity rather than a disaster, maintaining his characteristic laugh even when facing his most tenured employee's resignation.

Want to approach your business challenges with similar resilience? Remember Paul's wisdom: "Everything that is a thing is something to learn on, something to get better with."

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Building meaningful relationships in business isn't just nice to have—it's essential for growth and sustainability. When we make connections with people, we open doors to unexpected opportunities, friendships, and partnerships that transcend immediate business needs.

The MSP industry has been stuck in a price-focused mindset for too long. We need to shift toward being prescriptive advisors, similar to how doctors diagnose and treat patients. Your customers don't just pick the "white pill" from a selection of medications—they trust their doctor's expertise. Similarly, MSPs should diagnose business technology problems and prescribe comprehensive solutions. This approach positions you as a trusted advisor rather than a commodity service provider.

Going beyond technical solutions creates even more value. Sharing your own business improvement methodologies—whether it's implementing Traction or other operational systems—helps clients optimize their entire operation. This makes you "sticky" as a partner and ensures that as they grow, they'll need more of your services. The relationships become mutually beneficial: their success fuels yours.

The same collaborative approach should extend to vendor relationships. Before rushing to complain on social media when problems arise, reach out directly to company representatives. Every negative post creates ripple effects that can't be undone, potentially harming your reputation and the vendor's business. Remember that vendor relationships should be 50-50 partnerships where both sides contribute to improvement.

Our MSP community stands apart in its willingness to support each other despite competition. When we attend industry events with intentional networking plans, we create connections that often yield surprising benefits. Sometimes the person you meet at a vendor booth might become your next employee, partner, or even liver donor—you simply never know!

Ready to transform your approach to business relationships? Focus on building authentic connections, providing prescriptive value, and engaging positively with the broader ecosystem. Your business—and our entire community—will be stronger for it.

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Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

• https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
• https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
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• https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
• https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Breaking through glass ceilings is the entrepreneur's constant challenge. Every stage of business growth demands new skills, knowledge, and experiences—gaps that must be identified and filled to reach the next level.

Our guest reveals the bittersweet reality of entrepreneurship when he shares the heartbreaking moment his young daughter brought him her piggy bank saying, "So you don't have to work no more." This pivotal experience transformed his approach to work-life balance, teaching him to prioritize family while maintaining his business ambitions.

Now, years wiser, he's intentional about creating meaningful moments with his children—from impromptu golf outings and vacation time to bringing his teenage son into the business. This "60% forced, 40% interest" approach gives his son professional skills and experiences 6-8 years ahead of his peers, what our guest calls "the golden ticket" his son doesn't yet appreciate.

The entrepreneurial journey is undeniably lonely. Without a boss providing direction, self-motivation becomes essential. Successful entrepreneurs treat their business with disciplined structure, "clocking in at 8 and out by 5," doing the uncomfortable work that drives growth. Surrounding yourself with the right people—peer groups and business mentors who've already broken through your current ceiling—accelerates progress dramatically.

For those building businesses, remember that comparing your journey to others only creates unnecessary stress. Every path is unique. Instead, be relentless, embrace discomfort, and recognize that continuous personal development powers business growth. The freedom waiting on the other side makes this challenging journey profoundly rewarding.

Ready to secure your business and focus on growth rather than IT problems? Reach out today and let's elevate your company together.

Support the show

Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

• https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
• https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
• https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
• https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
• https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
• https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
• https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com