How MSPs Can Tackle AI Risks and Shadow IT

How Agiliti Wins Clients for Life with Business-Focused Tech

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066716/open_sms] In this episode of Start Grow Manage, Jeff Loehr sits down with Stuart Garzarelli and Michael Ratka of Agiliti—a powerhouse MSP with a surprising origin story. Discover how a life-changing injury sparked Stuart's journey into tech, how both founders weathered the 2008 economic storm, and why “curiosity” and “tenacity” are more than just buzzwords at Agiliti—they're the backbone of their success. You’ll hear how they evolved from firefighting IT issues to solving high-impact business problems, turning their clients into raving fans. Learn how they transitioned from techs to trusted advisors, the critical mistakes they avoided, and how manufacturers benefit from their laser-focused strategic approach. If you're an MSP founder ready to shift from chaos to clarity, you won’t want to miss this one. 🎧 Tune in for real talk, actionable insights, and the business truths every MSP owner needs to hear. 👤 Jeff   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffloehr/  https://twitter.com/jeffloehr  Connect w/ Agiliti ⭐️  Stewart Garzarelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarzarelli/ Michael Ratka https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ratka-2bbb7464/ ⭐️ LEARN MORE: https://startgrowmanage.com/cta-yt FOLLOW US 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  ⚙️ Start Grow Manage https://www.linkedin.com/company/start-grow-manage/ https://instagram.com/startgrowmanage https://www.facebook.com/StartGrowManage  JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  https://startgrowmanage.com/apply Start, Grow, And Manage a scalable MSP that powers an extraordinary life. Our tools, practices and processes help you engage, energize and execute on building a business that powers an extraordinary life. Learn more [https://startgrowmanage.com/learnmore] about our programs and how they can fuel your fire. Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/startgrowmanage] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/startgrowmanage/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/76148334/admin/]

AI + MSPs: What’s Coming Next for Telecom?

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066716/open_sms] 🎧 In this episode of Start Grow Manage, Jeff Loehr chats with Michael Vertolli, President of ComTecSystems, about one of the most overlooked opportunities for MSPs—strategic partnerships. What starts as a story about installing mobile phones in the ‘90s quickly evolves into a deep dive on how ComTec transformed into a leading cloud and telecom consultancy. Mike doesn’t just talk theory—he lays out how smart partnerships can unlock new revenue, boost client loyalty, and help MSPs break out of the tech-only trap. They also touch on the rise of AI in telecommunications, and why the key to long-term growth isn’t about selling more tech—it’s about solving real business problems. If you’re an MSP owner who wants to scale without being stuck in the weeds, this conversation is your blueprint. Tune in to learn how to shift from overwhelmed technician to strategic business leader—and why collaboration might just be the most powerful tool in your growth toolbox. 👤 Jeff   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffloehr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffloehr/] https://twitter.com/jeffloehr [https://twitter.com/jeffloehr] Connect w/ Michael ⭐️ https://comtecsystems.net/partner-program/?utm_source=start%20manage%20grow&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=mike%20vertolli [https://comtecsystems.net/partner-program/?utm_source=start%20manage%20grow&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=mike%20vertolli]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vertolli-66b60112/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vertolli-66b60112/] FOLLOW US 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  ⚙️ Start Grow Manage https://www.linkedin.com/company/start-grow-manage/ https://instagram.com/startgrowmanage https://www.facebook.com/StartGrowManage [https://www.facebook.com/StartGrowManage]  JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ https://startgrowmanage.com/apply [https://startgrowmanage.com/apply]   Start, Grow, And Manage a scalable MSP that powers an extraordinary life. Our tools, practices and processes help you engage, energize and execute on building a business that powers an extraordinary life. Learn more [https://startgrowmanage.com/learnmore] about our programs and how they can fuel your fire. Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/startgrowmanage] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/startgrowmanage/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/76148334/admin/]

Build a Rockstar MSP Team Fast

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066716/open_sms] In this episode of Start Grow Manage, Jeff Loehr chats with MSP hiring pro Mark Agovino, who’s spent the last two decades transforming how tech companies build teams. Mark breaks down why the old-school recruiting model is broken—and how his flat-fee, managed hiring service helps MSPs save big while hiring better. They dig into cultural fit, the power of behavioral interviewing, and how aligning with your core values is a game-changer. Plus, they preview the upcoming SWAT workshop, where MSPs will level up their client conversations. 👤 Jeff   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffloehr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffloehr/] https://twitter.com/jeffloehr [https://twitter.com/jeffloehr]  Connect w/ Mark ⭐️ https://onboardtac.com [https://onboardtac.com/] FOLLOW US 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  ⚙️ Start Grow Manage https://www.linkedin.com/company/start-grow-manage/ https://instagram.com/startgrowmanage https://www.facebook.com/StartGrowManage [https://www.facebook.com/StartGrowManage] JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ https://startgrowmanage.com/apply   Start, Grow, And Manage a scalable MSP that powers an extraordinary life. Our tools, practices and processes help you engage, energize and execute on building a business that powers an extraordinary life. Learn more [https://startgrowmanage.com/learnmore] about our programs and how they can fuel your fire. Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/startgrowmanage] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/startgrowmanage/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/76148334/admin/]

Building a Smarter MSP with Key Strategies

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066716/open_sms] In this episode of the Start Grow Manage podcast, Jeff Loehr sits down with Sean Lentner of Lentner Technology for a no-BS look at what it really takes to grow in the MSP world. Sean shares how he ditched the tech-for-tech’s-sake mindset and started solving real business problems—working with everyone from finance giants to the Vatican. From startup lessons to streamlining workflows with AI, this episode is packed with sharp insights on building a business that runs smarter, not harder. If you're an MSP owner ready to shift from tech geek to business leader, you’ll want to hear this. 👤 Jeff   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffloehr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffloehr/] https://twitter.com/jeffloehr [https://twitter.com/jeffloehr] Connect w/ Sean ⭐️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-lentner/overlay/about-this-profile/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-lentner/overlay/about-this-profile/] https://lentner.com [https://lentner.com/]  📞 Schedule a free coaching session https://pages.startgrowmanage.com/book-a-free-coaching-session [https://pages.startgrowmanage.com/book-a-free-coaching-session]  FOLLOW US 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  ⚙️ Start Grow Manage https://www.linkedin.com/company/start-grow-manage/ https://instagram.com/startgrowmanage https://www.facebook.com/StartGrowManage [https://www.facebook.com/StartGrowManage]   JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 👋_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ https://startgrowmanage.com/apply Start, Grow, And Manage a scalable MSP that powers an extraordinary life. Our tools, practices and processes help you engage, energize and execute on building a business that powers an extraordinary life. Learn more [https://startgrowmanage.com/learnmore] about our programs and how they can fuel your fire. Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/startgrowmanage] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/startgrowmanage/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/76148334/admin/]

How MSPs Can Tackle AI Risks and Shadow IT

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2066716/open_sms] 🎙️ In this episode of Start Grow Manage, Joe Rojas sits down with John Harden from Auvik to unpack how AI is shaking up the MSP world. From the growing threat of shadow IT to the need for smarter attack surface monitoring, John shares how MSPs can lead the charge—not just in tech, but in educating clients and driving strategy. They explore how to stay ahead of AI regulation, avoid common pitfalls, and actually use AI to grow. Plus, Joe invites you to a free SWOT workshop designed to help MSPs scale smarter—not harder.  👤 Joe https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerojas/  👤 John Harden https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-harden/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-harden/] https://www.auvik.com/ [https://www.auvik.com/] 📞 Schedule a free coaching session   https://pages.startgrowmanage.com/book-a-free-coaching-session [https://pages.startgrowmanage.com/book-a-free-coaching-session]  Start, Grow, And Manage a scalable MSP that powers an extraordinary life. Our tools, practices and processes help you engage, energize and execute on building a business that powers an extraordinary life. Learn more [https://startgrowmanage.com/learnmore] about our programs and how they can fuel your fire. Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/startgrowmanage] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/startgrowmanage/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/76148334/admin/]