Simplifying Cybersecurity for MSPs: Joe Sykora (CEO of Coro) on Tool Sprawl and AI in 2026
MSP Unplugged
Joe Sykora, CEO of Coro Cybersecurity, joins MSP Unplugged to discuss how MSPs can simplify their security stack, reduce tool sprawl, and deliver better protection to small and mid-sized businesses. In this episode, Joe shares: Why traditional multi-tool cybersecurity approaches are failing most MSPs How Coro’s all-in-one, single-agent platform is changing the game for lean MSP teams The role of automation and AI in reducing alert fatigue What a truly MSP-friendly cybersecurity solution looks like in 2026 Practical advice on turning cybersecurity from a cost center into a profitable growth...
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From Corporate IT Director to MSP Owner: Ron Cervantes on Building C Solutions IT
MSP Unplugged
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...
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Google Gold for MSPs: Nate Freedman on Reviews, Local SEO & Lead Generation in 2026
MSP Unplugged
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...
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From Chicago to Peoria: Pierre Anyansi on Proactive IT, Security & Building a Local MSP
MSP Unplugged
Pierre Anyansi of Any IT Support sits down with us to talk about his journey from network security engineering to founding a boutique IT company focused on proactive support, secure remote solutions, and helping small businesses grow through technology. We explore the “farming technology” philosophy, balancing home and business clients, turning education into prevention, and fortifying your own operations while supporting others. A raw, relatable conversation full of real-world lessons for MSP owners and IT pros working with smaller or regional clients. Tune in every Week. You can...
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Rick Smith Unplugged: Pivots, Hard Calls & the 2026 MSP Game Plan
MSP Unplugged
Co-host Rick Smith drops in for a reflective deep dive: Recent pivots that reshaped his MSP (and why some changes hurt before they helped), key lessons from the past year, and his no-BS predictions/advice for MSPs finishing Q1 strong and crushing the back half of 2026. If you're debating a big shift in your business—pricing, tools, culture, or strategy—this one's loaded with actionable takeaways from the trenches. Tune in weekly on https://youtube.com/mspunplugged for more actionable MSP advice. Like, subscribe, and hit notifications! Also available on your favorite podcast app. Don't...
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Should Your MSP Start a Podcast The Storytelling Advantage
MSP Unplugged
Podcasting is not about being famous. It is about being relevant. In this episode, Jose Torres of Dimelo Media and I talk about how storytelling helps MSPs build trust, create community, and stay top of mind. If you have ever wondered whether your MSP should start a podcast or how to do it the right way, this episode is for you.
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Secure Your Own House First: Degly Mendez on MSP Cyber Education
MSP Unplugged
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...
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MSP Leadership Strifes: Marcial Velez on Culture, Burnout & Growth
MSP Unplugged
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)...
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Making IT Boring: Boutique MSP Lessons w/ Sean Inman of Inman Technology Solutions
MSP Unplugged
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...
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Classic Replay: The LinkedIn Advantage – Unlock MSP Leads with LinkedIn
MSP Unplugged
Flashback Tuesday: Fan-Favorite Edition! Kicking off the week with one of our all-time most requested episodes — the LinkedIn masterclass that MSP owners and pros keep circling back to for serious business wins. In this evergreen episode of MSP Unplugged, we revisit our powerhouse conversation with Richard Bliss, founder of BlissPoint Consulting and a leading voice in LinkedIn branding and social selling. Richard delivers straight-to-the-point, actionable tactics to turn LinkedIn into a true business development powerhouse — far beyond just a digital resume. We break down how MSPs can...
info_outlineIn this episode of MSP Unplugged, host Paco Lebron sits down with Chris Cool, Founder and CEO of Cool Technology Group Inc., a Houston/Texas-based managed IT services provider specializing in cybersecurity, cloud solutions, remote/on-site support, and more for small to medium businesses.
Chris shares his inspiring journey—from his days as a University of Colorado student-athlete spending more time in the mountains than in class, to diving into the copier and telecom industry in Dallas in the early 2000s. He climbed the ranks quickly, starting as an Account Executive at Intermedia Communications and rising to Senior VP on the West Coast (while based in Houston), building, growing, and even selling multiple organizations along the way.
The conversation gets real about launching Cool Technology Group in January 2020—just as the pandemic hit—and how Chris navigated that chaos to build a thriving MSP. He opens up about the secret sauce to standing out in a crowded market, the toughest hurdles he's faced (and how he pushed through), his proudest moments, balancing family life in Tomball, Texas, with running the company, and his outlook on emerging trends like cybersecurity threats and tech advancements that small businesses need to watch.
Whether you're a solo MSP operator or scaling a team, this episode is packed with practical insights, entrepreneurial grit, and advice for anyone dreaming of starting or growing their own IT services business.