Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Products, stories, and tips for the MSP and IT Professional)

I had a great conversation with Alex and Mariana of MyPCFriends Cybersecurity, a husband-and-wife MSP team based in Kissimmee, Florida. Their story starts with Alex’s computer engineering and break-fix work in Venezuela, continues through the challenges of rebuilding in the United States, and arrives at a business that is more intentional about managed services, cybersecurity, compliance, and serving the right clients. They are now focused on financial services and insurance organizations, with clients extending beyond Florida.=== Chapters=== Guests: Alex Villamizar and Mariana ArriettaMyPCFriends Cybersecurity: https://mypcfriends.comMariana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-arrieta-mypcfriends/Alexis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mypcfriends/ === SPONSORS:Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoipTravel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugridDigital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready === SHOW MUSIC: Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoItem URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UETAuthor Username: AlexanderRufireItem License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Tom Bull of Two River Computer joins me for a practical conversation about building an MSP around trust, community, and the work clients actually need. Tom shares how his business grew from computer repair and consulting into managed IT, residential technology, Wi-Fi, smart-home projects, and cybersecurity, all while serving smaller businesses that larger MSPs often overlook. We talk about referral relationships, local visibility, Google reviews, and why listening to the customer can matter more than following every piece of conventional channel advice.We also get into the realities of controlled growth and modern security. Tom explains why he paused new-client onboarding when his team hit capacity, how he thinks about profit over revenue, and why he is careful about taking on work he cannot support well. We cover AI use policies, Microsoft 365 protection, SentinelOne Vigilance, Petra, ThreatLocker, Ubiquiti, SonicWall, backups, identity security, and the layered approach MSPs need to keep clients protected without overcomplicating the stack.=== Chapters01:52 Meet Tom Bull of Two River Computer04:22 Tom Bull’s Tech Career and MSP Origin Story10:01 Building a Community-Driven Local IT Business13:17 Growing an MSP by Giving Clients What They Want17:42 Small-Business MSP Niches, Pricing, and Referral Partnerships22:15 AI Policies, Shadow AI, and MSP Liability Concerns30:04 Building a Layered Security Stack With SentinelOne and Petra32:46 ThreatLocker, AutoElevate, and Application Control38:38 TechCon Unplugged, 1Stream, and TruGrid Sponsor Message41:09 Working on the Business and Finding MSP Profitability49:11 Local SEO, Google Reviews, and Profitable Hardware Sales53:10 Ubiquiti, Managed Switches, and Network Visibility56:49 SonicWall vs. Ubiquiti Gateway Security01:08:53 Developing Future Leaders at Two River Computer=== Guest: Tom Bull, Two River ComputerWebsite: https://www.tworivercomputer.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tworivercomputer=== EventsTechCon Unplugged: https://techconunplugged.com/Discount Code: TCUMarvin=== Companies / Vendors / Products / BooksSynchro: https://syncrosecure.com/SentinelOne Vigilance: https://www.sentinelone.com/services/vigilance/Petra Security: https://www.petrasecurity.com/Huntress: https://www.huntress.com/ThreatLocker: https://www.threatlocker.com/AutoElevate: https://www.cyberfox.com/platforms/autoelevate-by-cyberfox/SonicWall: https://www.sonicwall.com/Ubiquiti: https://ui.com/Proofpoint: https://www.proofpoint.com/Domotz: https://www.domotz.com/Auvik: https://www.auvik.com/Cork: https://www.corkinc.com/Tech Marketing Engine: https://techmarketingengine.com/The Pumpkin Plan: https://amzn.to/4yp2XxzDiscount Code: TCUMarvin=== SPONSORS:Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoipTravel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugridDigital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready=== SHOW MUSIC:Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoItem URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UETAuthor Username: AlexanderRufireItem License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Sean Lardo, better known around the channel as Mr. IT Nation, joined me for a special conversation following the announcement of the IT Nation PitchIT 2026 finalists: Lemhi, Synthreo, and Blacksmith InfoSec. After a 16-week competitive cohort built around coaching, refinement, and practice, these three companies are now preparing to take the stage at IT Nation Connect Global in Orlando.=== Chapters00:23 PitchIT 2026 Finalists Announcement01:47 Meet Sean Lardo of IT Nation03:07 Behind the PitchIT Finalist Reveal06:01 How PitchIT Vendors Refine Their Message08:40 Uncle Marv’s PitchIT Rankings and Prize Debate11:12 MSP Feedback on PitchIT Vendor Interviews13:22 Preparing Vendors for Real Sales Conversations14:14 The Best Questions MSPs Should Ask Vendors17:04 Evaluating Vendor Fit Beyond Price19:12 What to Expect at PitchIT Orlando21:09 Finalist Congratulations and IT Nation Connect Closing=== Guest: Sean Lardo, ConnectWise / The IT NationWebsite: https://www.connectwise.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlardo=== Companies / Vendors / Products / BooksConnectWise: https://www.connectwise.com/The IT Nation: https://itnation.connectwise.com/PitchIT: https://itnation.connectwise.com/pitchitIT Nation Connect Global: https://itnation.connectwise.com/connect-globalLemhi: https://lemhi.com/Synthreo: https://synthreo.ai/Blacksmith InfoSec: https://blacksmithinfosec.com/=== SPONSORS:Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoipTravel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugridDigital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready=== SHOW MUSIC:Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock LogoItem URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UETAuthor Username: AlexanderRufireItem License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

I am catching up on the latest NSITSP activity from August, and there was a lot worth paying attention to. From election and governance updates to advocacy around AI, cybersecurity, right-to-repair, and data centers, I wanted to bring these conversations to the podcast because they affect the business environment MSPs are working in every day. What stood out most to me is that the IT industry needs more than good technicians and great tools. We need people who are willing to get involved, educate clients and lawmakers, document what works, and make sure our voices are heard. I also share why better client employee onboarding may be one of the simplest ways to lower ticket volume, improve client experience, and give your help desk some breathing room. === Chapters 00:08 Welcome to the NSITSP August Update 00:22 NSITSP’s Mission for MSPs and IT Pros 01:16 2026 Election Schedule and Governance Changes 02:35 Cyber and AI Apprenticeship Advocacy Win 03:08 Why IT Must Influence Technology Policy 03:41 Better Onboarding to Reduce Support Tickets 04:35 Trupeer AI for Videos, SOPs, and Documentation 05:30 Data Centers, Zoning, and Community Impact === People Mentioned Steve Kazan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevekazan Travis Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviswoods Corey Kirkendoll: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykirkendoll  === Companies / Vendors / Products / Books National Society of IT Service Providers (NSITSP): https://nsitsp.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSITSP/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nsitsp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-society-of-it-service-providers/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NSITSP Trupeer AI: https://www.trupeer.ai/ Gunjan Sengupta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunjan-sengupta-354422ab/ Welcome Aboard, Training Reduces Support Calls: https://nsitsp.org/event/welcome-aboard-training-reduces-support-calls/ === SPONSORS: Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/ Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready === SHOW MUSIC: Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET Author Username: AlexanderRufire Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

I was riding solo for this Wednesday Live Show, and I had something on my mind that every MSP, IT professional, and business owner needs to consider: Can a client access everything their former IT company managed? I recently met with a prospect who believed they had administrative access, but when we sat down and checked, they did not have the level of access needed to manage their Microsoft 365 environment. They were dealing with other access problems too, including their website, account recovery, and network equipment. My take is straightforward. Our job as MSPs is to manage what needs managing, but that does not mean we should own or control everything that keeps a client in business. Clients should know what they own, who has access, and how to get into their important systems in an emergency. That means checking Microsoft 365, domains, DNS, websites, firewalls, networking equipment, servers, backups, VoIP, documentation, password vaults, and recovery methods. We also need to be honest about what belongs to the MSP stack, what belongs to the client, and what happens when either side decides the relationship is over. === Chapters 00:48 Welcome to the IT Business Podcast 01:15 Solo Show Update and Upcoming MSP Guests 03:25 TEKSGiving and TechCon Unplugged Announcements 05:34 Can Clients Access Everything Their IT Company Managed? 08:15 Microsoft 365 and UniFi Ownership Problems 12:21 MSP Contracts, Vendor Commitments, and Client Flexibility 18:23 Real-World Client Lockout and Provider Transition Challenges 23:15 Building an Access and Ownership Checklist 29:02 Password Vaults, Emergency Access, and Formal Offboarding 40:51 NSITSP Update and Trupeer Client Training Videos === Shout-outs Paco Lebron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pacolebron/ Gunjan Sengupta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunjan-sengupta-354422ab/ Travis Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviswoods/ === Resources / Companies / Books / Podcasts TEKnowledge Worldwide: https://teknowledge.org/ TEKSGiving: https://teknowledge.org/ TechCon Unplugged: https://techconunplugged.com/ National Society of IT Service Providers: https://nsitsp.org/ Trupeer AI: https://www.trupeer.ai/ UniFi: https://ui.com/ Synology: https://www.synology.com/ Active Insight: https://www.synology.com/en-global/dsm/feature/active-insight/overview IT Glue: https://www.itglue.com/ Datto: https://www.datto.com/ Veeam: https://www.veeam.com/ AppRiver: https://www.appriver.com/ Intermedia: https://www.intermedia.com/ Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/ === SPONSORS:  Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/ Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready === SHOW MUSIC:  Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo  Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET Author Username: AlexanderRufire  Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.