In this powerful episode, we sit down with a true leader, John Patricio, a Marine veteran and the owner of Patricio Systems. John shares his incredible journey from serving in Desert Storm to founding a successful IT managed services company. He talks candidly about the unique challenges of scaling a business in the federal marketplace, the value of past performance, and the strategies he uses to acquire and retain top talent.

Beyond business, John opens up about his personal battle with a medical condition that led to him becoming a paraplegic. In a moment of raw inspiration, he reveals how he adopted the Marine Corps ethos of "improvise, adapt, and overcome" to not only rebuild his life but also inspire others. His upcoming nonprofit and plans to walk again using an exoskeleton are a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Episode Highlights:

• 01:30 - The Entrepreneurial Journey: John discusses his path from military service to founding Patrizio Systems and leveraging his DVBE and SDVOSB certifications to secure government contracts.

• 06:45 - The "Credit" Challenge: He shares the biggest hurdle for new federal contractors: building a track record of past performance and why it's a "catch-22" for new businesses.

• 12:15 - A Look at Business Operations: John reveals his strategies for pricing, client acquisition, and building a network of skilled contractors.

• 18:20 - The Power of AI: He shares his excitement and perspective on how emerging technologies like AI are shaping the future of the IT services industry.

• 24:00 - A Personal Story of Resilience: In a deeply personal segment, John recounts his medical battles, his moment of despair, and the powerful quote that became his guiding light.

• 30:00 - The Exoskeleton and Future Plans: Listeners get a glimpse into his future goals, including the creation of a nonprofit foundation and his plan to walk again to inspire others.

Episode Tags/Keywords:

• Managed Services Provider (MSP)

• IT Consulting

• Government Contractor

• Veteran-Owned Business

• Disabled Veteran Enterprise (DVBE)

• SDVOSB

• Small Business

• Entrepreneurship

• Business Growth

• Leadership

• Career Path

• AI Trends

• Cybersecurity

• Veteran Stories

• Inspiration

• Overcoming Adversity

• Paraplegia

• Exoskeleton

Call to Action (CTA):

• Subscribe: Follow our podcast for more interviews with IT leaders and innovators.

• Learn More: Visit our website at https://www.aisavants.io to learn how we help IT managed service providers grow their business.

• Connect with John: Explore John's mission and future projects at https://www.patricio-systems.com/.