New Year, New MSP 2026
Uncle Marv shares how his “time off” turned into ISP upgrades, copier chaos, and hospital visits, then pivots into practical MSP New Year resolutions. Learn how to stop underpricing, package cybersecurity as its own value, tighten client onboarding, and create a peer mastermind so your MSP can grow profitably in 2026.
Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Real Talk for IT Pros & MSPs)
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Show Notes
If you run an MSP and are already exhausted in week one of 2026, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar—and very useful. Marv turns a week of ISP upgrades, hospital time, and junior-tech misadventures into a concrete set of New Year resolutions you can actually implement.
=== Why Listen
- Hear real-world stories: ISP upgrades over Christmas, SD-WAN cutovers, and co-managed headaches.
- Learn why underpricing attracts bargain hunters and destroys margins—and how to fix it.
- Get a simple framework for quarterly (or monthly) margin audits by service category.
- See how to separate “basic support” from “cybersecurity” using surcharges or tiered bundles.
- Understand why disciplined client onboarding, baselines, and security gap plans reduce tickets and churn.
- Pick up a practical “no after-hours alerts” rule to protect your and your team’s mental health.
- Discover the value of peer mastermind groups and free communities like ASCII Spark, Pax8 groups, IT Nation, and SMB Community.
- Enjoy a fun MSP-themed “Top 10 things clients say before the server crashes” list.
=== Links from the Show
- MSP Radio (by Dave Sobel): https://www.mspradio.com
- Small Biz Thoughts (Carl Palachuk): https://www.smallbizthoughts.com
- ASCII / ASCII Spark: https://www.ascii.com
- Pax8: https://www.pax8.com
- ConnectWise IT Nation: https://www.connectwise.com/theitnation
- SMB Community (Karl Palachuk’s community): https://www.smallbizthoughts.org
- PodFest Expo: https://podfestexpo.com
- Star Trek Prodigy: https://www.startrek.com/shows/star-trek-prodigy
=== SPONSORS:
- Livestream Partner, ThreatLocker: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/threatlocker
- Legacy Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/
- Internet Provider, Rythmz: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/rythmz
- Production Gear Partner, Liongard: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/liongard
- Travel 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/itbusinesspodcast
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