053: How to Create a POWERFUL Support Network That Actually Works?

04/22/25 • 16 min

"Community is not about belonging. It’s about belonging to something that makes belonging matter."
This powerful distinction lies at the heart of our conversation about what genuine community means in today’s business landscape.
When businesses confuse having customers with having community, they miss the transformative power of authentic connection. True community emerges when we help others grow without constantly asking, “What’s in it for me?” The results are extraordinary—customers evolve into passionate advocates, sales conversations shift into relationship-building opportunities, and everyone thrives together.
During COVID, this spirit of community came alive through weekly support calls, where 40–60 people gathered to navigate uncertainty. These calls helped nearly 20 businesses secure PPP loans, sparked marketing breakthroughs, and even led to successful acquisitions. Today, the gatherings continue as a space where people freely exchange knowledge and offer emotional support. Initiatives like collecting donations for food banks and aiding struggling local businesses showed how small acts of kindness can ripple outward with lasting impact.
MSPs often act as “first responders of the business world,” protecting not just operations—but livelihoods. When we embrace this responsibility, our mindset shifts from transactions to transformation. The beautiful paradox? By focusing less on sales and more on service, business naturally grows. When vendors educate MSPs instead of selling to them, and MSPs champion client success over upselling, clients don’t need to be pursued—they seek you out.
Have you felt the difference between belonging to a network and being part of a true community? We’d love to hear your story. Connect with us and share how community has shaped your business journey.
Ken Patterson on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpatterson16

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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052: EXIT Like A PRO With These 3 Essential Tips

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What happens when you sell the business you've built from the ground up? More importantly, who will take care of the clients who’ve trusted you for years?
These questions lie at the heart of a powerful conversation about the human side of business exits. While most discussions around mergers and acquisitions focus on valuation multiples and deal structures, this one dives into the relationship dynamics that truly define success.
When fielding acquisition calls, savvy business owners flip the script. Yes, potential buyers are evaluating your business—but you should be interviewing them just as thoroughly. Will they maintain your service standards? Will your clients enjoy working with them? The sale becomes less about walking away and more about ensuring continuity for those who helped build your success.
Most sellers focus solely on the financial payday, but this narrow lens overlooks the bigger picture. Your business isn’t just an asset—it’s a living entity with stakeholders who rely on it. The real shift happens when you begin seeing yourself not just as the owner, but as a shareholder. This mindset change can transform your approach, helping you extract value while preserving what you’ve built.
For small business owners whose net worth is largely tied to their company, exit planning is critical. Working with financial advisors, attorneys, and accountants on a regular basis opens up options beyond simply “staying in the seat until you pass.” There are multiple ways to secure your future while ensuring the business thrives without you.
Ready to think differently about your future? Start by viewing yourself as a shareholder in your own enterprise—and begin planning for the day your business continues its journey, with or without you at the helm.
Williams Logistics:
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Micheal McKeen on LinkedIn:
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054: Simple Mind Tricks That Actually Work For Emotional Control!

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Kindness might be the most undervalued currency in our fast-paced world. This conversation explores how approaching situations with positivity can transform not just outcomes, but our entire experience.

When travel plans go awry or technology fails, our first instinct might be frustration. Yet, as personal stories reveal, treating the person behind the counter or the technician on the phone with genuine kindness consistently leads to better results. “I’ve never missed a flight,” shares one speaker, explaining how a smile and understanding attitude has gotten them onto fully booked planes—while others remained stranded.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when it shifts to perspective. A poignant story about a grandfather who spent his final hours angry over a minor workplace incident serves as a stark reminder to ask ourselves: Will this matter five years from now? The recent CrowdStrike-Microsoft incident offers another example—the technician helping you didn’t cause the problem, yet bears the brunt of customer frustration. Treating support staff with respect not only honors their humanity, but often gets your systems back online faster.

COVID taught us that we can slow down without the world falling apart. Perhaps that’s the lasting lesson we need: take a breath before reacting, recognize the humanity in others, and understand that most frustrations are temporary. Your positive attitude creates ripples far beyond the moment.

What small gesture of kindness might you offer today?

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