The Channel CEO

Selling Your Legacy: The Chaos, Strategy, and Reward Behind a Multi-Million Dollar Acquisition

Host Kevin Lancaster, CEO of Channel Program, explores the entrepreneurial journey and industry insights with guest Michael Crean, Senior Vice President of Managed Services at SonicWall and Founder of Solutions Granted. They explore Crean's 22-year journey from founding Solutions Granted to its acquisition by SonicWall, highlighting the strategic and emotional aspects of selling a business. The conversation uncovers pivotal moments, including Crean's evolution from MSP to managed security pioneer, the challenges of scaling globally, and SonicWall's transformative impact on their offerings. Key takeaways include strategies for navigating acquisitions, maintaining a passionate drive post-sale, and creating value for MSPs through innovative MDR solutions. This episode is packed with actionable insights and emotional depth for business leaders and channel partners. Tune in now to hear how a visionary leader reshaped managed security services and found the perfect partner to expand on a global scale.

How AI is Disrupting Cybersecurity – And What CEOs Need to Know

Kevin Lancaster, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlancaster/] CEO of Channel Program, and Jon Murchison [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-murchison-b92898b5/], CEO of Blackpoint Cyber [https://blackpointcyber.com/], bring the heat in this episode! They dig into how AI is flipping the script on cybersecurity, the evolution of the MSP market, and why running a business means mastering more than just tech. It's a high-energy convo packed with sharp insights, real talk, and a blueprint for growth. Don't miss out—hit play now for the full episode and unlock your next move!

Ticket to Disruption: Inside TimeZest, PIA, and the Future of Automation

In this episode, host Kevin Lancaster [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlancaster/] sits down with Gerwai Todd [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerwai/], the dynamic CEO of TimeZest and PIA, to unravel his bold journey of leading two cutting-edge companies while revolutionizing MSP service delivery. From humble beginnings in banking to scaling tech startups and mastering AI-driven automation, Gerwai shares how he's reshaping the customer experience and solving the "ticket problem" MSPs face daily. Tune in for insights on building commercially viable tech, bootstrapping success, and managing global teams—all while balancing innovation with relentless focus. Whether you're a tech entrepreneur or just love a story of grit and strategy, this episode is packed with lessons to elevate your game. Don't miss it!

MSPs, Deep Fakes, and Big Moves: Inside the Cybersecurity Game with Gil Friedrich

In this episode of The Channel CEO, Kevin Lancaster [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlancaster/] dives into a high-energy chat with Gil Friedrich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilfriedrich/], VP of Email Security at Check Point [https://www.checkpoint.com/] and former CEO of Avanan. From scaling a cybersecurity startup to 35,000 customers to navigating the transition into a $20B global powerhouse, Gil shares raw insights on leadership, innovation, and staying ahead in a relentless game of cyber cat-and-mouse. They tackle AI-driven threats, MSP growth hacks, and why Gil refuses to take "no" for an answer. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build—and keep building—world-class solutions in an ever-evolving market.

Why SFTP Isn't Dead: The Couchdrop CEO Talks Focus, Failure, and Fierce Growth

In this episode of The Channel CEO, host Kevin Lancaster [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlancaster/] sits down with Michael Lawson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lawson-couchdrop/], CEO of Couchdrop.io [https://www.couchdrop.io/], to dive into the world of data migration, SFTP servers, and what it takes to build two fast-growing tech products from New Zealand. Michael shares how he turned challenges into opportunities, why focus is a superpower in business, and the hard lessons learned when shiny new features distract from core goals. With a mix of humility and sharp insight, Michael reveals what's next for Couchdrop, Movebot, and the future of managing the world's exploding data. Whether you're a startup founder, an MSP, or just love hearing about the grit behind successful CEOs, this one's for you!