In this episode, Josh Peterson sits down with Ron Opperman of E3 IT Services to unpack his unlikely path into the MSP world. From engineering and CAD drawings to co-founding a thriving managed services firm, Ron shares the pivotal decisions, risks, and lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey.
In Episode 2 of the Don’t Be That Guy series, Josh Peterson (CEO of Bering McKinley) interviews Ron Opperman, co-founder of E3 IT Services, about his unconventional path into the MSP industry and what it really takes to build a successful IT services company.
Ron’s story begins far from managed services — in industrial engineering, CAD design, and large-scale factory projects for Fortune 500 companies. But a chance request to fix a computer shifted his career, ultimately leading to the creation of Techad, and later a merger with RC Computers that became today’s E3 IT Services.
Throughout the conversation, Ron shares hard-earned lessons from two decades in business:
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The importance of taking risks, planning growth, and reinvesting profits.
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Why partnerships and trust are vital for scaling an MSP.
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How marketing, sales discipline, and peer groups fueled E3’s growth from home offices to a 3,000 sq. ft. facility.
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The power of hiring the right first employee — and how that decision shaped the firm’s culture for years.
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Why MSPs must adapt constantly, embrace new methodologies, and stay ahead of rapid industry change.
Ron’s journey is filled with entrepreneurial grit, pivots, and a strong belief that “hard work beats talent when talent isn’t working hard.” His story is a reminder to MSPs that calculated risks, sales investments, and operational discipline are the keys to scaling beyond a lifestyle business.
👉 For more insights and resources to help your MSP grow profit, revenue, and enterprise value, visit beringmckinley.com.