MSP Unplugged

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...

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.

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...

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)...

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...

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...

MSP Unplugged

In 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...

MSP Unplugged

Paco’s back in the studio after a packed stretch — welcome to the first episode of MSP Unplugged's return! Catch up on the latest: Quick tips & tricks: Affordable branded backups with Aaron's Auto Glass Fabs (just $66!), seamless data migration via SQLBackupAndFTP, and troubleshooting ControlOne VPN/DNS issues. Big updates at ProdigyTeks: Ditching bundled Microsoft costs (saving thousands!), shifting from flat IG tiers to flexible Service Desk, NOC, and SOC offerings — now with built-in legal protections if clients opt out of security. Real talk from the last 6 months managing a...

MSP Unplugged

Join us live right before we ring the new year as we reconnect with Jeff Halash, former host of the Computer Repair Podcast and MSP Unplugged. After four years away, Jeff shares what he’s been up to, his thoughts on the MSP industry today, and insights from his journey. Don’t miss this nostalgic and informative conversation for tech enthusiasts and MSP pros alike!     MSP Unplugged https://mspunplugged.com/ Paco Lebron from ProdigyTeks:Powered by MSP Owners Group Email: paco@mspunplugged.com John Dubinsky formerly of the Maven Group Jeff Halash formerly of TechNut PC

MSP Unplugged

In this Christmas Eve Edition, We discuss our Network Upgrade Insights at ProdigyTeks! Join us as our very own John Dubinsky joins the podcast to discuss our journey from our previous network provider to UniFi network equipment. We’ll cover practical tips, smart tricks, and key lessons learned while adopting the new UniFi stack. Perfect for MSPs and IT pros looking to streamline their network game!   --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us! --------------------------------------------------- MSP Unplugged https://mspunplugged.com/ Paco Lebron from...